The Amityville Horror Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A house is so cheap, a family moves in, despite knowing a guy murdered his whole family there, then they get annoyed by flies and a cold dad, so they leave, but not before the dad becomes a lumberjack fashion icon.

🍿 The Amityville Horror: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Move to 112 Ocean Avenue

George and Kathy Lutz, a newlywed couple with three children from Kathy’s previous marriage, purchase a large Dutch Colonial house in Amityville, Long Island, at a significantly below-market price. The real estate agent discloses that the house was the site of a mass murder a year prior, where Ronald DeFeo Jr. killed his entire family. Despite this, George and Kathy are drawn to the house’s size and affordability, believing they can make it their dream home.

Disturbing Events Begin

Shortly after moving in, the Lutz family experiences a series of unsettling and increasingly terrifying events. These include cold spots, strange odors, swarms of flies appearing seemingly out of nowhere, and inexplicable sounds. Their daughter, Amy, develops an imaginary friend named ‘Jody,’ who appears to be malevolent. George’s behavior begins to change; he becomes irritable, obsessed with chopping wood, and wakes up at 3:15 AM every night, the time of the DeFeo murders.

Father Delaney’s Ordeal

Kathy’s family priest, Father Delaney, attempts to bless the house but is met with a series of terrifying occurrences. He hears a disembodied voice commanding him to ‘Get out!’ He is plagued by a swarm of flies and experiences a violent illness. As he tries to warn the Lutzes, he suffers further physical and psychological torment, leading to his eventual blindness and mental breakdown. The church authorities dismiss his claims, leaving him isolated and helpless.

Escalating Paranormal Activity

The paranormal activity intensifies, with the walls bleeding a black, viscous substance, objects moving on their own, and the appearance of demonic faces. George becomes increasingly withdrawn and volatile, displaying signs of possession. Kathy experiences vivid nightmares about the DeFeo murders. The family dog, Harry, becomes agitated and fixated on a hidden room in the basement. The Lutzes become increasingly isolated and desperate as the house exerts its malevolent influence.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• George Lutz (James Brolin): The newlywed husband and stepfather who becomes increasingly influenced by the evil presence in the Amityville house.
• Kathy Lutz (Margot Kidder): The newlywed wife and mother who tries to protect her family from the terrifying events occurring in their new home.
• Father Delaney (Rod Steiger): A Catholic priest who attempts to help the Lutz family but is overwhelmed and debilitated by the demonic forces in the house.
• Amy (Natasha Ryan): The youngest daughter of Kathy who is particularly vulnerable to the supernatural influences, communicating with an unseen entity.
• Father Bolen (Don Stroud): A priest assisting Father Delaney who gets involved in trying to understand the situation at Amityville.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• The House: “GET OUT!” – A disembodied voice yells this during Father Delaney’s attempt to bless the house, signifying the presence of an evil entity.
• George Lutz: “Houses don’t have memories.” – George says this to Kathy when they are considering purchasing the house, despite its gruesome history.
• Father Delaney: “I can’t… I can’t help them.” – A broken Father Delaney mutters this when he realizes that he is losing his battle against the evil forces in the house.
• Amy: “Jody says I can’t open the door.” – Amy says this to her babysitter when the babysitter is trapped in a closet and Amy refuses to open the door.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $4.7M
• Domestic Gross: $86.4M
• Worldwide Gross: $86.4M

💥 The Amityville Horror Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘The Amityville Horror’ isn’t the scariest movie ever, but it really got to me when I first saw it. The idea of buying your dream house only for it to turn into a nightmare? Ugh! James Brolin chopping wood like a possessed maniac and Margot Kidder slowly realizing something’s seriously wrong gave me the creeps. Especially the part with Rod Steiger being attacked by flies in the church, like what is this? Plus, that unsettling score just adds to the overall sense of dread. It’s a classic for a reason – it preys on your deepest fears of home becoming a prison.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of classic 1970s horror films”
  • “Those interested in haunted house stories”
  • “Viewers who appreciate suspenseful, atmospheric horror with minimal gore”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Disturbing themes of demonic possession”
  • “Threat of violence against children”
  • “Some intense scenes that may be frightening for younger viewers”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “While boasting a strong cast and chilling atmosphere, ‘The Amityville Horror’ fails to deliver on its promise of scares, relying on tired tropes and a predictable narrative to evoke fear.
• AllMovie: “Despite its initial impact, ‘The Amityville Horror’ feels dated and lacks genuine scares. The performances are uneven, and the pacing is sluggish, making it a less effective horror experience today.
• Variety: “Competently made with solid performances, but lacks originality, and ultimately proves to be a rather bland and uninspired take on the haunted house genre.

Audience Reactions

The unsettling atmosphere and eerie score create a palpable sense of dread.: Viewers generally appreciate the movie’s ability to build suspense, even if the scares themselves are somewhat dated by today’s standards.

James Brolin’s increasingly unhinged performance is both captivating and disturbing.: Many find his portrayal of George Lutz’s descent into madness to be one of the film’s highlights.

Overall Consensus: While dated by modern horror standards, ‘The Amityville Horror’ remains a cult classic, praised for its atmospheric tension and performances, even if the scares themselves are not always effective.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Original Score)- 1980

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The house used in the film was not the actual Amityville house, but a similar-looking house in Toms River, New Jersey. The iconic ‘eye’ windows were added for the movie.”
• “Lalo Schifrin’s score was originally intended for ‘The Exorcist’ but was rejected for being too disturbing. It was then used for ‘The Amityville Horror,’ adding to the film’s unsettling atmosphere.”
• “During filming, James Brolin became increasingly disturbed by the subject matter. He claims a book about demonic possession fell open in his hotel room, convincing him the story was real.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Amityville Horror?

The Amityville Horror is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check local listings for potential broadcast schedules. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) can also be found at major retailers. Availability may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Amityville Horror, you might like these similar films:

• The Haunting (1963): Classic haunted house tale with a focus on psychological terror and unexplained phenomena.
• The Exorcist (1973): Features demonic possession and the battle between good and evil, exploring similar themes of faith and supernatural horror.
• Poltergeist (1982): A family is terrorized by malevolent spirits in their home, blending suburban life with supernatural horror, in a more visually dynamic style.
• The Changeling (1980): A man moves into a haunted house and uncovers a dark secret from the past, offering a more somber and atmospheric take on the haunted house narrative.

🛒 The Amityville Horror Related Products

• The Amityville Horror (1979) [Blu-ray]: Experience the chilling classic in high definition with enhanced picture and sound quality, bringing the terror of Amityville to life like never before. Limited edition packaging available.
• Amityville Horror House Model Kit: Build your own miniature replica of the infamous Amityville house. Perfect for collectors and horror enthusiasts, this detailed model captures the iconic look and chilling history of 112 Ocean Avenue.
• Amityville Horror: The Game (PC): Immerse yourself in a survival horror game set within the Amityville house. Explore the haunted rooms, solve puzzles, and confront the evil presence that drove the Lutz family to madness. Supports VR for an even more terrifying experience.
• The Amityville Horror Movie Poster: High-quality reproduction of the original movie poster, capturing the iconic imagery and tagline. A perfect addition to any horror movie collection or home theater decor.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Amityville Horror features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Lalo Schifrin
• “The Axe” – performed by Lalo Schifrin
• “Get Out!” – performed by Lalo Schifrin
• “Blue Moon” – performed by Lorenz Hart and Richard Rodgers

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The True Story Behind “The Amityville Horror”

Ever wondered how much of the Amityville Horror movie is actually true? This BuzzFeed Unsolved video digs into the real story behind the infamous house, comparing the book, movie, and the actual reported events. Prepare to be surprised by what’s fact and what’s fiction!

Everything Wrong With The Amityville Horror (1979)

Ready to have some laughs at the expense of the Amityville Horror? CinemaSins hilariously dissects all the things that don’t quite add up in the movie. Trust me, you’ll never watch it the same way again!

The Amityville Horror – What’s the Difference?

Curious about how the Amityville Horror story has changed over the years? This CineFix video breaks down the key differences between the book, the classic 1979 film, and the 2005 remake. It’s super interesting to see how the tale evolved!

Scary History of the Amityville Horror Killer

Want to know the grim truth behind the Amityville Horror? This Infographics Show video dives into the chilling story of the real-life murders that took place in the house, uncovering the dark history of the killer. It’s a must-watch for true crime fans!

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