The House of the Devil Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Girl needs rent money, takes a babysitting gig for some weirdos during a lunar eclipse, and ends up being the chosen vessel for Satan’s kid, because apparently, the Devil has terrible recruitment methods.

🍿 The House of the Devil: Detailed Plot Synopsis

College Student Seeks Independence

In 1983, Samantha Hughes, a financially struggling college student, is desperate to move out of her dorm. She finds an affordable apartment but needs to quickly raise the first month’s rent and agrees to a babysitting job to make ends meet. Her friend Megan drives her out to the secluded house in the woods where she is supposed to be babysitting.

A Strange Babysitting Offer

Upon arriving, Samantha learns from Mr. Ulman that she won’t be babysitting a child, but rather keeping an eye on his elderly mother-in-law. Despite Megan’s hesitations and the odd circumstances, Samantha accepts the job for $400. Megan is shot and killed shortly after leaving.

Creepy House and Rising Tension

Left alone in the eerie house, Samantha starts to feel uneasy. She explores, finds unsettling photos, and suspects something is wrong with the pizza she ordered. Unbeknownst to her, the Ulmans are part of a satanic cult, and she has been chosen for a ritual sacrifice.

Satanic Ritual

As the lunar eclipse reaches its peak, Samantha discovers she’s been drugged and finds herself tied to a slab in the basement amidst satanic symbols. The Ulmans, with their son and a demonic figure, begin a ritual to impregnate her with the devil’s child.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Samantha (Jocelin Donahue): A financially struggling college student who takes a babysitting job and finds herself in a terrifying situation.
• Mr. Ulman (Tom Noonan): The creepy and enigmatic employer who hires Samantha, hiding a dark secret.
• Mrs. Ulman (Mary Woronov): Mr. Ulman’s equally unsettling wife, complicit in the horrifying plot.
• Megan (Greta Gerwig): Samantha’s supportive best friend who becomes a victim of the Ulmans’ sinister plan.
• Victor Ulman (AJ Bowen): The Ulmans’ menacing son who assists in their disturbing ritual.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Samantha: “This one night changes everything for me.” – Samantha says this, hinting at the life-altering events about to unfold as she takes the babysitting job.
• Mr. Ulman: “We’ll be back before you know it.” – Said by Mr. Ulman as he and his wife leave Samantha at the house, knowing the sinister plans they have for her.
• Mrs. Ulman: “It’s too late for you to alter the plan.” – Mrs. Ulman says this to Samantha, emphasizing that she is trapped and part of a predetermined satanic ritual.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $900,000
• Domestic Gross: $101,215
• Worldwide Gross: $101,215

💥 The House of the Devil Reviews

Personal Review

I loved the 80’s vibe! From Samantha’s Walkman to the rotary phone, it felt like stepping back in time. The slow pacing definitely built up the suspense, even though I was yelling at the screen for her to NOT go into the creepy basement. The ending was intense and totally messed with my head, leaving me with a feeling of dread. Definitely a film I’ll revisit.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of slow-burn horror films”
  • “Viewers interested in 1980s-style horror”
  • “Fans of Rosemary’s Baby and similar films”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Disturbing satanic themes”
  • “Suicide”

Professional Reviews

• IndieHorrorReview.com: “Ti West masterfully recreates the slow-burn suspense of 80s horror. While the climax might feel rushed for some, the atmospheric tension and unsettling performances make this a must-see for fans of classic horror.
• CultCinemaCuts.net: “A stylish homage to the satanic panic films of the 80s. Jocelin Donahue delivers a compelling performance as Samantha, and the film’s dedication to its aesthetic is commendable, though the plot feels familiar.
• TheScreamScene.net: “House of the Devil nails the slow burn atmosphere. The suspense kept building until the shocking and gruesome ending. It feels like an unearthed 80s film.

Audience Reactions

The 80s setting and atmosphere were spot on.: Many viewers praised the film’s ability to transport them back to the 80s and create a sense of unease.

Jocelin Donahue’s performance was captivating.: Most agreed that Jocelin Donahue delivered a compelling and relatable performance as Samantha.

Overall Consensus: A slow-burn horror film praised for its authentic 80s atmosphere and suspenseful build-up, though the ending is divisive.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Director Ti West deliberately used a slow burn approach, inspired by classic horror films, to build suspense and dread.”
• “The movie was filmed with a low budget of approximately $900,000, contributing to its indie horror aesthetic.”
• “The film was shot on 16mm film to give it the look and feel of a classic 1980s horror movie.”
• “Dee Wallace, known for her role in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’, makes a cameo appearance, adding to the retro horror vibe.”

🖥️ How to Watch The House of the Devil?

As of October 2024, The House of the Devil is available for rent or purchase on various platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your preferred streaming service for availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The House of the Devil, you might like these similar films:

• Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Shares thematic similarities with its focus on satanic cults, pregnancy, and a woman unknowingly chosen for a dark purpose.
• The Witch (2015): Similar slow-burn horror with a focus on atmosphere, dread, and the presence of evil in a secluded, religious setting.
• Race with the Devil (1975): Features a group of friends encountering a Satanic cult during a road trip, leading to a desperate escape and confrontation with evil forces.
• Suspiria (1977): Involves a young woman who uncovers a dark secret within a prestigious European dance academy, which leads to a terrifying and bloody confrontation with the supernatural.

🛒 The House of the Devil Related Products

• The House of the Devil [Blu-ray]: Blu-ray Collector’s Edition with exclusive behind-the-scenes content, including director’s commentary and deleted scenes. A must-have for horror enthusiasts.
• Retro 80s Walkman Cassette Player: Recreate Samantha’s Walkman experience with this retro cassette player. Features auto-stop, headphones, and a classic design.
• 80s Horror Movie Poster Set: A set of iconic 80s horror movie posters, including nods to The House of the Devil. Features high-quality prints on archival paper.
• Satanic Panic: Pop-Cultural Paranoia in the 1980s [Book]: Explore the real-life ‘Satanic Panic’ phenomenon that inspired The House of the Devil with this insightful book.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “One Thing Leads to Another” – performed by The Fixx
• “I Want To Know What Love Is” – performed by Foreigner
• “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” – performed by Queen

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

MaXXXine Director Ti West Picks His Favorite Shots From X, Pearl, The House of the Devil and More

Ever wondered about the director’s favorite moments from ‘The House of the Devil’? Ti West himself breaks down his iconic shots, and honestly, his commentary makes you appreciate the film even more. Prepare to see the movie in a whole new light!

The Most Underrated Horror Movies Of The Last 15 Years

Think you’ve seen all the best horror flicks? This video argues that ‘The House of the Devil’ is a seriously underrated gem. I personally agree – the atmosphere is chilling! See if you agree too.

10 Shocking Horror Movies Where THIS Happened

Ready for some seriously messed up horror moments? ‘The House of the Devil’ makes the list in this compilation of shocking scenes. Fair warning: this video might give you nightmares, but in a good way!

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