Only thing good about this movie was some of the music. I can act better and create more suspense than this movie could dream of accomplishing. You just wait and wait and wait for it to get better. It never does. The 70's homage was done incredibly poorly. It almost felt like watching bad 70's p
15 Reviews
Don't do it
torroutedipz10 July 2018
I found two similar "isolation" type movies and decided to watch both before reviewing. I watched this first, and "Edge of Isolation" the following night, because "Edge" had the lower rating. This is the second time I've done comparisons on two similar movies, and both times the second, lower rates movie was better. When I decide to recommend a movie it isn't "would I watch it again" (that's almost always a no), it's more "after seeing it, would I go back and watch it in the first place?". While I would definitely watch "Edge", I would save the 90 minutes I wasted watching "First House". It had my attention in the beginning, it had potential. I watched in interest at first, seeing how it would develop, but then it took a turn for the worse. Where the movie had a chance to get interesting, it just went bat $hit crazy, like the writer dropped some acid at the beginning of the movie and then it hit him an hour in. I'll save you the trouble and just tell you to go watch "Edge of Isolation" instead.
Unrealised potential
Call-Me-Mr-Smith16 December 2019
As others have observed, there is quite an unevenness in all aspects of the movie, with an exception of the music score, which was solid and consistent. Story and acting were particularly weak, and the directing followed closely behind. Would it be better if the movie were more derivative of the 70's giallo originals? Probably yes, but it would also benefit from taking more courageous film-making decisions. Not a total waste of time, this crew could be given another chance, but they should not blew it like this one.
Hated it
mercedes_sk19 June 2018
I can't believe I watched it all. I have this pathetic compulsion to see things thru regardless of how much agony it causes. This was all over the place. There was no cohesiveness. I think I got a migraine trying to follow it. The actors were so unnatural that it hurt. Lord I regret watching this. Please believe me, you do not want to watch this.
Pretty Lousy
hcampbell-7047313 June 2018
This film has no idea what it wants to be. It wants to be an old school giallo, no wait, a comedy. Nevermind, meta horror. Nope, maybe a mix of all the above. And a poorly written, acted, directed and scored one at that. It could have been a "so bad it's good" cult film, but it fails at that too. It's just plain bad.
Super fun film
AtTheMovies5214 June 2019
I always like films like this! I must say, this film came through. I enjoyed the trailer and it did a good job letting me know what I would be in store for. This film had a good opening which helped me get grounded, it got me connected. They did a good job mixing in the humor. This is very tricky with a horror film and if you're not careful you can have a train wreck on your hands. Well this film pulled it all off.... so a solid thumbs up from me!
Nice little Giallo
Dvdscot-316 July 2018
I selected this movie for my filmfestival in Hannover and it even became 2nd in the audience vote.
It is a nice little hommage to the Giallos with strong vivid colours, good camera work and athmosphere. Of course it is not like todays terror movies. If you are in the mood for something that looks like it was shot decades ago, I can recommend it.
Classic Template for Horror Storytelling
TheAll-SeeingI13 June 2019
Horror genre fans are a fickle bunch: They love exercising their right to complain about what seems like most movies, big and small. Yet despite their chagrin, they come back over and over again, and at a per capita headcount few other genres can muster.
I tire easily of major studio slickness in my horror, and love instead the well-made indie horror film that plays off classic themes and does it with some soul and some flair. First House On The Hill fits exactly that descriptor. It's a film directly reflective of its name and its poster art, so there's no spoiler alert here, horror fans: It's about a house on the hill -- specifically the First House On The Hill -- and the events that happen there after a small group checks in for a stay.
I find it ambitious when a filmmaker takes a story that's been leveraged before in classic films, and has the stones to try to bend it to make it his or her own. That's what director and screenwriter Matteo Saradini attempts, and my own personal aesthetic allows me to say, unequivocally, that he succeeds inaccomplishing exactly that. The First House on the Hill delivers the spooks, and then some. Horror fans, prepare to rejoice.
I tire easily of major studio slickness in my horror, and love instead the well-made indie horror film that plays off classic themes and does it with some soul and some flair. First House On The Hill fits exactly that descriptor. It's a film directly reflective of its name and its poster art, so there's no spoiler alert here, horror fans: It's about a house on the hill -- specifically the First House On The Hill -- and the events that happen there after a small group checks in for a stay.
I find it ambitious when a filmmaker takes a story that's been leveraged before in classic films, and has the stones to try to bend it to make it his or her own. That's what director and screenwriter Matteo Saradini attempts, and my own personal aesthetic allows me to say, unequivocally, that he succeeds inaccomplishing exactly that. The First House on the Hill delivers the spooks, and then some. Horror fans, prepare to rejoice.
Classic Horror FIlm
mentalrev18 June 2019
Immediately viewers will be creeped out by the 70's style intro and the synth soundtrack as the main characters are taken for a nightmare of a weekend at the First House on the Hill. The film begins with the classic setup of young people taking a vacation in a "creeptastic" location, but the twists and turns that unfold are hardly expected.
The cinematography is eerie and uncomfortable in a good way as no one can ever quite feel relaxed along the way. Fans of horror will not be disappointed in this one.
The cinematography is eerie and uncomfortable in a good way as no one can ever quite feel relaxed along the way. Fans of horror will not be disappointed in this one.
A fun indie horror
cbax12317 October 2019
Scary Indie Horror Film
JGReviews25 June 2019
First House on the Hill is a scary indie horror film that's a throwback to so many great films about scary things that happen in a mysterious house. The film involves a group of friends who stay at vacation home in Malibu and then the horror starts to creep in. The lighting and production design in this film were great and really set the mood for the scares. If you're a fan of a good indie horror film like I am, then I think you'll really enjoy First House on the Hill.
Real inventive fun!
Anmer939 September 2019
So much fun for a little indie Horror film, the amount of big budget Horrors that miss the mark, this is refreshing it's funny, scary and a the lighting and Cinematography is surprisingly terrific. Real inventive fun.
Very Enjoyable and Inventive
WatcherOfTheSkies7779 August 2019
First House on the Hill is a very fun and exciting horror indie movie. i loved how many different types of horror sequences were and how the variety in style, colour and music kept the film fresh and innovative. The heightened sense of reality is reminiscent of 70s horror and makes for an awesome and thrilling ride.
A nod to old time horror
alanakmd16 October 2019
Color!
artistgp21 October 2019
A cool 70s/80s style throwback horror flick. I enjoyed it a lot, especially with it being Halloween season. The direction may not be for everyone but if it's to you're liking you'll probably enjoy the heck out of it. Interesting use of color in their stylized lighting too. Fun watch.
See also
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