House Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A writer with PTSD inherits a haunted house and battles his inner demons, which are manifested as hilariously bad monsters, with the help of Norm from Cheers, culminating in a therapy session where he blows up his war buddy.

🍿 House: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Haunted Inheritance

Roger Cobb, a horror novelist and Vietnam vet, inherits his aunt’s house after her apparent suicide. The house holds dark memories, as his young son Jimmy disappeared there years earlier, leading to a divorce from his wife Sandy and a crippling writer’s block.

The House Awakens

Roger moves into the house seeking solitude and inspiration to write about his wartime experiences. However, he soon encounters bizarre and terrifying phenomena, including grotesque monsters, flying tools, and visions of his deceased aunt. His sanity is tested as the line between reality and nightmare blurs.

Neighborly Encounters and Growing Terror

Roger befriends his nosy but well-meaning neighbor, Harold, who becomes increasingly concerned about Roger’s well-being as the strange occurrences escalate. Roger also grapples with visions of his past, particularly his guilt over abandoning his comrade, Big Ben, in Vietnam. The house seems to be feeding on his trauma and regrets.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Roger Cobb (William Katt): A troubled Vietnam veteran and horror novelist who moves into his aunt’s haunted house to overcome writer’s block and confront his inner demons.
• Harold Gorton (George Wendt): Roger’s nosy but well-meaning neighbor and fan who gets caught up in the supernatural events.
• Big Ben (Richard Moll): Roger’s deceased Vietnam buddy who returns as a vengeful zombie seeking retribution for being left behind.
• Sandy Sinclair (Kay Lenz): Roger’s ex-wife and a struggling actress who has a complicated relationship with Roger due to the disappearance of their son.
• Aunt Elizabeth (Susan French): Roger’s deceased aunt whose suicide and belief that the house is haunted set the stage for the film’s supernatural occurrences.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Harold: “Solitude’s always better with somebody else around, ya know?” – Harold says this to Roger when trying to be friendly, highlighting his unintentionally intrusive nature.
• Big Ben: “I’ll get you for this, Roger.” – Spoken by Big Ben’s zombie, vowing revenge on Roger for abandoning him in Vietnam, fueling the climax.
• Aunt Elizabeth: “Leave, while you still can!” – Aunt Elizabeth’s ghost warns Roger of the house’s dangers, foreshadowing the supernatural events to come.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $19,444,631
• Worldwide Gross: $19,444,631

💥 House Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw House as a kid and it totally freaked me out, but in a fun way! The monster designs are so creative, even if they’re a bit cheesy now. I loved how the movie mixed genuine scares with laugh-out-loud moments, especially George Wendt’s character, Harold! The scene where Roger is attacked by the tools in the shed is still memorable. It perfectly balances horror and humor, making it a total blast.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 80s horror movies.”
  • “Viewers who enjoy horror-comedy blends.”
  • “Those interested in stories about overcoming trauma and guilt.”
  • “People who appreciate practical effects and creature features.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild horror violence and gore.”
  • “Thematic elements involving war trauma and child abduction.”
  • “Some frightening imagery and jump scares.”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “House balances horror and comedy effectively, though the effects are dated. Katt delivers a solid performance, making it a worthwhile watch for genre fans seeking a light scare.
• The New York Times: “While not a groundbreaking horror film, House offers a unique blend of scares and laughs. George Wendt’s comedic timing shines, elevating the movie’s entertainment value.

Audience Reactions

The blend of horror and comedy keeps viewers engaged.: Fans praise William Katt’s performance and George Wendt’s comedic presence.

The practical effects are creatively done for the 80s.: Viewers are captivated by the imaginative monster designs and unique scares.

Overall Consensus: A cult classic that balances horror and comedy, though its scares are more effective for younger viewers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was originally conceived by Fred Dekker as a straight horror film, but the producers felt it needed more comedy, leading to Ethan Wiley rewriting the script.”
• “The creature effects were primarily done with practical effects, including puppetry and makeup, to give the film a unique, tangible feel.”
• “Several members of the crew, including director Steve Miner and producer Sean S. Cunningham, had previously worked on the ‘Friday the 13th’ franchise.”

🖥️ How to Watch House?

House (1985) is available to rent or purchase on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable or streaming options. It can also be found on DVD and Blu-ray for physical media collectors.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed House, you might like these similar films:

• Evil Dead 2 (1987): Both films blend horror and comedy, with a protagonist battling supernatural forces in a secluded location.
• Poltergeist (1982): Features a suburban family terrorized by malevolent spirits within their home, exploring themes of family and fear.
• The Amityville Horror (1979): Deals with a family moving into a haunted house with a dark history, similar to the premise of ‘House’.
• A Haunted House (2013): Modern horror-comedy that parodies haunted house tropes, offering a comedic take on the genre.

🛒 House Related Products

• House: The Complete Collection [Blu-ray]: This Blu-ray collection features all four House films, offering hours of horror-comedy entertainment. The set includes exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes footage, perfect for fans.
• House Movie Poster: A high-quality reproduction of the original House movie poster. Features the iconic artwork and is perfect for decorating a home theater or fan cave. A great conversation starter for any horror buff.
• House Graphic T-Shirt: High quality, comfortable T-shirt with graphic movie scene. Perfect for horror fans

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “You’re No Good” – performed by Clint Ballard Jr.
• “House Theme” – performed by Harry Manfredini

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Is “House Of Leaves” The Scariest Novel Ever?

Ever wondered what makes ‘House of Leaves’ so creepy? This video gives you the lowdown without spoiling anything! I think it’s a great way to dive deeper into the story before (or after) watching the film.

✨ Rate