From director Ti West, this spooky horror is set in a remote house where not all is as it seems.
A college student short of money takes a mysterious babysitting job that coincides with a full lunar eclipse. She slowly realises that her employer has hired her for a terrifying reason that could cost her everything.
The film is a slow burner, it also has the feel of a 70s/80s horror, it is set in that period, with the clothes worn and Walkmans, etc, It also has tension building suspense that has a real John Carpenter vibe for sure. (After all, the original title for Carpenter’s Halloween was The Babysitter Murders).
The camera work is excellent as she roams the big house, knowing that the person she is supposed to look after is around somewhere, but she becomes more and more paranoid as she discovers odd things around the place.
It is the last 15 minutes where all hell breaks loose and the gore and horror go full on, there is also a very shocking moment with the babysitter’s friend Megan, played by Greta Gerwig, (yes, the same person who directed the hit movie BARBIE!)
The only thing I found disappointing was the ending, which was sudden and had a very Rosemary’s Baby feel to it and a bit predictable, seeing what had come before. But a good cast and solid direction make this a definitely enjoyable watch.
The film has A new release on Blu-Ray and a Limited Edition set by Second Sight, and they, as usual, do not disappoint, with a good transfer and the following extra features –
Audio commentary with Writer-Director Ti West & Actor Jocelin Donahue
Audio commentary with Ti West, Producers Larry Fessenden & Peter Phok and Sound Designer Graham Reznick
The Right Vibe: a new interview with Ti West
Satanic Panic: A New Interview with Jocelin Donahue
Slowing Down is Death: A New Interview with Actor AJ Bowen
A Level of Ambition: A new interview with Peter Phok
An Enduring Title: A New Interview with Larry Fessenden
It All Feels Appropriate: A new interview with Director of Photography Eliot Rockett
Hiding the Seams: A New Interview with Composer Jeff Grace
Writing Through Sound: A New Interview with Graham Reznick
This Night Changes Everything: The Making of The House of the Devil
In The House of the Devil
Deleted Scenes and Trailer.
On the limited edition releases, you also get –
Rigid slipcase with new artwork by Nick Charge
70-page book with new essays by Martyn Conterio, Ariel Powers-Schaub, Jerome Reuter and Julieann Stipidis, plus a Behind the Scenes gallery and 6 collectors’ art cards
This film has built a good reputation among horror fans, and I can say should pick this release up, as they will not be disappointed.
FILM – 7.5 PICTURE – 8 AUDIO – 8 EXTRAS – 9
