This Cult Classic Horror Movie Is a Thrilling Ride of Unrelenting Suspense and Terror

Horror movies can be difficult to sit through, especially if the genre is not your cup of tea. The scary scenes and the fear they instill are a lot to take in. But for fans of horror, that’s exactly the point of sitting through the duration of the film. There’s a thrill in being scared.

That being said, not all horror movies are made the same. While some deliver gore and brutality, others prefer to wield tension, suspense, and terror almost like weapons. The House of the Devil is one of those special films. From the way the film builds its suspense right from the start, you can’t help but want to see it to the end. This cult classic is set in the 1980s and adapts elements that capture the essence of the period. The House of the Devil is a perfect watch for anyone who loves a good fright.

What Is ‘The House Of The Devil’ About?

With a name like that, viewers can be sure they are in for a wild ride. The House of the Devil is a slow-burn horror film that takes cult classics to a whole different level. The story follows Samantha, played by Jocelin Donahue, a broke college student who takes a babysitting job at an isolated mansion. The couple who hire her, the Ulmans, are weird right from the start. There’s no actual baby, just an elderly relative upstairs who apparently won’t bother her. As the night grows, strange things start happening around the house. She finds an old, strange family photograph and a room where the corpses of the real owners of the house are. It is almost too late by the time Samantha discovers that she has been “chosen” for a satanic ritual and that the Ulmans are part of a cult.

With 85% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film does more than just tell a scary babysitter story that’s somewhat familiar to horror fans. Beyond nailing the ‘80s vibe so well, the film’s unrelenting suspense is probably its strongest point. Building tension slowly is one way to instill fear into the audience, and this film does that extremely well. It feeds off the whole “satanic panic” from that era, which makes the horror feel a little too real. One scene that’ll scare anyone is when Samantha is dancing around the house with her Walkman. It looks so normal and carefree, but one can just feel that something terrible is about to happen. It’s that mix of nostalgia and attention to every little detail that makes this film hit differently.

‘The House Of The Devil’ Is Full Of Unrelenting Suspense And Terror

As with some of the best horror films out there, attention to detail is key, and director Ti West nailed it in The House of the Devil. Right from the start, the tension is perceivable, thanks in part to stylistic choices that set the mood. A perfect example is the retro opening credits in bold yellow font, which is something you don’t see much in films today. Another key detail that reflects the era is the cinematography, which uses classic techniques like zooming in on characters instead of the modern dolly shots. This is how the film builds unrelenting suspense and terror, using old-school methods that are sure to scare anyone.

However, the real deal here is how The House of the Devil taps into the satanic panic of the 1980s. The idea of a satanic cult hiding in the shadows was a real fear at the time, and West used that to his advantage. The film also implements elements from both the slasher genre and haunted house films. Fans really shouldn’t expect anything less, this is the director who gave us the X film series afterall.

How Does ‘The House of the Devil’ Compare to Mainstream Horror Movies?

Many may ask, what counts as a cult classic? Is it the film’s use of classic horror aesthetics, its themes of occult rituals, or a devoted fan base? The House of the Devil is a mix of all these elements. Unfortunately, it was a commercial flop, with box office earnings of just over $100,000 against a $900,000 budget. On the bright side, the film has earned its cult classic status thanks to the belated appreciation from fans of the genre, its occult themes, and creepy 1980s vibe. The House of the Devil’s atmosphere and subtle details help it stand out in a world full of washed scare tactics.

When you compare it to other cult classic horrors, The House of the Devil still holds its own. While films like The Evil Dead or Night of the Living Dead gained attention for their bloody and brutal scenes, this one focuses on something less bloody. It might not have had a massive commercial impact, but it was praised by some of the best horror film critics out there. Kevin Sommerfield from Slasher Studios commented that the film is “not just a nostalgia piece for director West, one of the best horror directors working today”, but that it also reflected “how horror movies should be made”. The combination of period-perfect cinematography, a haunting soundtrack, and the built-up suspense is what keeps it alive in the hearts of horror fans who appreciate a more thoughtful kind of scare.

For fans looking for where to watch The House of the Devil, it is currently streaming for free on both Peacock and Tubi.