The House of the Devil (2009) - Rotten Tomatoes

The House of the Devil2009

The House of the Devil (2009)

TOMATOMETER

85%
89%

AUDIENCE SCORE

63%

Critic Consensus: Though its underlying themes are familiar, House of the Devil effectively sheds the loud and gory cliches of contemporary horror to deliver a tense, slowly building throwback to the fright flicks of decades past.

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Movie Info

Sam is a pretty college sophomore, so desperate to earn some cash for a deposit on an apartment that she accepts a babysitting job even after she finds out there is no baby. Mr. and Mrs. Ulman are the older couple who lure Sam out to their creeky Victorian mansion deep in the woods, just in time for a total lunar eclipse. Megan is Sam's best friend, who gives her a ride out to the house, and reluctantly leaves her there despite suspecting that something is amiss. Victor at first seems like just a creepy guy lurking around the house, but quickly makes it clear that Sam will end this night in a bloody fight for her life.
  • Rating:
    R (for some bloody violence)
  • Genre:
    Horror
  • Directed By:
    Ti West
  • Written By:
    Ti West
  • In Theaters:
     limited
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Magnolia Pictures

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Cast

Jocelin Donahue
as Samatha
Greta Gerwig
as Megan
Mary Woronov
as Mrs. Ulman
Tom Noonan
as Mr. Ulman
AJ Bowen
as Victor
Dee Wallace
as Landlady
Danielle Noe
as Mother
Heather Robb
as Heather
John Speredakos
as News Anchor
Mary B. McCann
as Woman Anchor
Brenda Cooney
as Nurse
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Critic Reviews for The House of the Devil

All Critics (102) | Top Critics (35)

In this era of torture porn and slasher pics, House of the Devil is a shining example of how to build atmosphere and tension the old-fashioned way.

October 10, 2012 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Recreates the feeling of 80s horror; less CGI, more imagination and a whole lot of corn syrup.

August 14, 2010 | Rating: 3/5
Top Critic

The pay-off is a little far-fetched, but by then we have had our emotional workout.

March 22, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Top Critic

The power of this film lies in the approach to the inevitable final act, rather than the realisation of the act itself.

March 22, 2010
Top Critic

Although the last reel is a little disappointing, the twist ending is a scream.

March 19, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Things quickly get silly and unscary.

March 19, 2010 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (102)

Audience Reviews for The House of the Devil

½

Ti West obviously knows the genre inside out, as he emulates the style and feel of those horror movies of the '80s with admirable skill (including the zooms) and spends a good time in the anticipation (maybe too long) to let apprehension and tension slowly settle in.

Carlos Magalhães
Carlos Magalhães

Super Reviewer

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Directors Cat
Directors Cat

Super Reviewer

½

Oh I absolutely loved this movie. It's a brilliant throwback to the old days of horror where the most terrifying thing was what wasn't on screen, rather than what is on screen and splattered all over the place. It was made in 2009, but looks so genuinely authentic for when it takes place you would swear they shot it in the 70's. Even the titles and music match. I don't want to give anything away, but this film has many surprises in store and if you are a lover of horror films you have to watch it.

Josh Lewis
Josh Lewis

Super Reviewer

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