This terrifying, culty horror film is a highly underrated gem and it masterfully evokes the 80s’ atmosphere through the storyline, costume, and set design.

| Original Score: A | Mar 15, 2024

Ti West has a clear grasp of the guiding principle for many classic horror films – the anticipation can be just as satisfying as the payoff.

| Original Score: 4.5/5 | Aug 21, 2022

West really shows off his talent for filmmaking here, giving us a retro vibe that seamlessly blends the chills with the eventual, gory, thrills. The House of the Devil is a real horror gem.

| Oct 14, 2021

The grainy cinematography, slow pace and rhythm make The House of the Devil feel as if it came out with those old Wes Craven and Dario Argento cheapies. Unfortunately, homage isn't enough to add anything original to the proceedings.

| Original Score: 2/5 | Aug 5, 2020

The atmosphere was fun and the suspense was great-all the scenes where the babysitter is just wandering the house were incredibly tense. And then it all just dissipates when the action starts, because this movie has nothing really to say...

| Jun 30, 2020

there are times when 80s nostalgia produces something really unique, as is the case with Ti West's The House of the Devil, a deliberate throwback to the decade that immerses its viewer in the chills and thrills of slow-burn violence.

| Oct 11, 2018

Satanism never gets old.

| May 25, 2018

Made for those who have fond memories of low-key '70s devil chillers that focused on mood and atmosphere

| Aug 28, 2015

West is going to do something outstanding someday, as soon as he figures out something to say.

| Original Score: B | Jun 22, 2013

The problem with it, and with House of the Devil, is that it's mostly pedestrian stuff leading to a pay off that's just not enough.

| Original Score: C | Oct 10, 2012

Sam's end is disturbing but also banal, even silly, but the end is not the point. The point is your anticipation.

| Original Score: 7/10 | Oct 10, 2012

The House of the Devil isn't just a movie: it's an experience. It joins the league of Rosemary's Baby, The Exorcist and The Omen as one of the most diabolical entries in the modern horror library.

| Original Score: 8.8/10 | Oct 10, 2012

In this era of torture porn and slasher pics, House of the Devil is a shining example of how to build atmosphere and tension the old-fashioned way.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 10, 2012

If you don't get a kick out of watching doomed babysitter Samantha put on that portable cassette player and dance around that creepy house to the strains of the Fixx's "One Thing Leads to Another," you might need a course in Horror Appreciation 101.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 10, 2012

Laden with dread and executed with a musician's sense of timing, The House of the Devil is better than a substantial number of the films it resembles.

| Original Score: A- | Jun 2, 2012

A virtual refutation of all of the conventions of contemporary horror that manages to be terrifying precisely because it refuses to give you that gratification until you've almost given up wanting it.

| Feb 15, 2012

The sudden climax is a gore-drenched bonanza of Satanic delirium that seems to be making up for the calm that came before, if not spoofing the very idea of cinematic payoff.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Feb 1, 2012

The House of the Devil takes itself and its cinematic heritage seriously, and is made better by this earnestness.

| Oct 25, 2011

Now this is how you make a scary movie. The House of the Devil is a delicious throwback to the golden era of Hollywood horror -- one that is unapologetically earnest and overwhelmingly committed to the task at hand.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Oct 21, 2010

Recreates the feeling of 80s horror; less CGI, more imagination and a whole lot of corn syrup.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 14, 2010