The House of the Devil (2009)

In 2005, a then 24 year-old, Ti West released The Roost, a low-budget fright flick involving teenagers under attack from rabid bats who turn their victims into blood thirsty zombies. As fun as it was trashy, the film did well on the festival circuit but didn’t make much impact on the horror community generally. It's a stylish piece that employees 16mm filmstock and looks all the better for it! His break came when he was hired to direct the follow-up to Eli Roth's smash-hit gross-fest Cabin Fever in 2007.

Cabin Fever 2: Spring Break was a troubled production for the young director, producer interference resulted in West wanting his name removed from the finished film and having it replaced with the now legendary Alan Smithee. Due to him not being a guild member the request was denied and his name has remained as director of that film, while all of this was going on however, West had set in motion another movie, a throwback to the good ol' 80's entitled The House of the Devil.

The House of the Devil tells the story of Samantha Hughes, a college student who is in desperate need of escaping the confides of her student accommodation. She has found the perfect apartment, the landlady (a nice little cameo from Dee Wallace) is taken by her and offers her the apartment without requesting the $300 deposit she normally would. All Samantha has to do now is find the $300 for the first months rent. Spotting an advert for a babysitter she contacts the number on the advert and registers her interest, she's asked if she can meet the man who placed the add, they agree a time and place but he doesn't turn up.

Later that night she receives a desperate call from the man asking if she is still available, she accepts and heads out to his house in the sticks with her buddy, Megan. Once there they're met by the ageing Mr. Ulman, his desperation is evident and he confesses that he doesn't require a babysitter, but someone to take care of his mother. Hesitant at first, Samantha refuses, in desperation Mr. Ulman offers her $300, Samantha agrees to do it for $400 and he agrees, half up front and half once he returns. Megan leaves Samantha and agrees to pick her back up in 4 hours, but as Samantha is about to learn, a lot can change within 4 hours.

Once again, West opts to shoot his film on 16mm and the results are fantastic. The essence of early 80's cinema is evident from the first scene, by the time the title card hits the screen you know you're in confident hands. This is a director that truly admires the era he's homaging and his ability to recapture the aura of these films is apparently effortless for him, he knows every angel and every technique from 80's horror and throws them at the audience one after another. If you admire this era of filmmaking then you'll instantly fall in love with the movie.


If the opening statement of the film is to be believed, 70% of Americans by the 80's believed in Satanic Cults and the other 30% believed this was a government conspiracy. This helps explain the rash of the satanic themed movies that hit screens through the 70's and early 80's, we've come along way since then and the demand for Satanic based movies has dropped significantly; so it's to West's credit that he's set about re-discovering an under appreciated genre for cult enthusiasts to get their teeth into, he just may also have made Rosemary's Baby for a whole new generation to admire and discover.

The biggest problem I can see the film facing, when faced with mainstream audiences, is its slow burning approach; in these days of relentlessly paced action-horror movies will the average movie goer understand the nature of the films pace? I'm hoping it doesn't hinder the films mainstream acceptance and the slow approach really does have a heart-stopping climax. Jocelin Donahue performance is also career starting material, she carries the film from the first scene the last and she moulds Samantha into a warm and likeable character that you'll find yourself attached to within the first five minutes of the film. Once the peril and jeopardy mount you'll be praying for her to make it out safe...

Ton Noonan, now a full-fledged Ti West regular, gives a great supporting performance as the unsettling Mr. Ulman. He gives us a man that is as frightening as he is likeable, he gives a performance that is oddly sympathetic; there's a sadness to it that suggests a man conflicted with the events he's setting in motion. On one hand he knows it's wrong, yet on the other he has to make this happen – it's his destiny and purpose in life. Needless to say he's a great asset to the movie, just as he was in The Roost and credit to Ti West for continuing to hire such an underrated actor.


The House of the Devil may not become the modern classic that many are suggesting it is, it's certainly going to put Ti West on Hollywood's talent map, the atmosphere is menacing and the performances are gripping, but the uneventful first hour may alienate the majority of viewers, especially those unfamiliar with the genre in which this film belongs. Those who appreciate the genre will no doubt lap this gem up, it's a modern Cult classic and is up there with Dead Girl as the best of modern American horror production. It's also Ti West's greatest achievement to date. Lets hope he has more such achievements to come in his career.

Purchase the DVD here or Blu-ray here.

Cabin Fever 2: Spring Break (2009)

In 2002, Eli Roth released Cabin Fever, the kick in the ass the American film industry required. It was a film that pushed the boundaries of good taste. Reminiscent of 80's classicks from the brains of Peter Jackson, Stuart Gordon and David Cronenberg, in its depiction of horrid body horror. It also brought sex back into the genre – long lost in the flood of good mannered horror films that followed in the wake of Scream. It became a box-office smash and sex and violence was back on the menu.


The sequel to it, finally out for us to enjoy, has been troubled to say the least. Production started in 2007, but news of studio interference and re-shoots have been well publicised online and in genre magazines. Director Ti West went as far as to demand his name be removed from the finished product, the credit remains (due to him not being a Union member) but he refused to do any publicity on the film or appear at all on additional content for the DVD release. All did not look good...

The film opens with the survivor of the original, showing signs of severe infection, making their way from the riverbank in which they were left to rot. Stumbling through the woods they stumble out of the wilderness onto a road, at which point they are obliterated by a passing school bus! Deputy Wilson Olsen, the party mad young officer from the original, dismiss the incident and tells the driver that he's hit a moose – regardless of a boot, with some foot left in it, being found in a nearby tree. Deputy Wilson is about to have bigger problems though, Down Home Water has become contaminated by the flesh-eating virus after lifting water from an infected creek and is now in circulation.

The school bus returns back to school and the kids are all excited about the Prom. John and Alex are discussing weather or not to attend, John is in love with life-long friend Cassie but she has a violent boyfriend, Alex doesn't have anyone to invite but would rather go alone than stay home and watch the director's cut of Bride of the Cannibal God (which was banned in 29 countries no less “Can you even begin to comprehend that awesomeness?”) with some fellow horror geek's. Alex's luck changed though, stumbling upon an upset (and recently dumped) teen, he winds up getting blown in the toilet by the vengeful young lady – however there's a sore upon her lip and she's been drinking Down Home Water. Looks like his luck just changed for the worst. After some begging, Alex manages to talk John into attending the Prom... where Down Home Water is the water of choice! It's going to be a messy night.

Now, as much as the original Cabin Fever was a homage to 80's horror; it always struck me as more of a 70's homage, the fashion and the hair, the redkneck's and the overall approach struck me as 70's influenced. Cabin Fever 2 however, is very 80's. Ti West is in love with the decade (see House of the Devil) but how much of this is his doing we may never know; but the shaped flash-fades, the pace, the characterisation is all very 80's and it gives the film a charm that makes the audience forgive and forget the clichés inherent with such genre-fare.

The overall juvenile attitude, and somewhat vile imagery, of the film may alienate some viewers; especially those looking for something with something to say: other than teens are obsessed with sex, but then again this IS the sequel to Cabin Fever so you should come with some notion of what to expect. Those in the mood for a good, old-school gross-out may find themselves presently surprised, fans of 80’s teen sex comedies should also take the plunge with this title, as it works well on that level too – horny teens doing themselves a mischief is always a hoot, especially when the climax is this gooey!

The films Achilles heel is slashed after the school has been shutdown by the military, it should have ended here but the film continues for what seems like an eternity. It smacks of cheap re-shoots and damages the film, however, the tone of these re-shoots does manage to capture that which Ti West had set up, so depending on how you react to the first hour or so, you may find yourself forgiving this tacked on finale and enjoying it for its crudeness (visually and the material depicted).

Where the film did surprise me, is in its acting. Noah Segan proves to be the star and impresses again, after his recent outing in Dead Girl. He’s a talented young actor who appears to have a genuine appreciation for the genre and I hope he continues to work within it once stardom comes knocking, which it no doubt will. The film is chock-full of likeable’s, even the Karate mad douche-bag boyfriend of Cassie is oddly likeable… in a love to hate sort of way! He checks off all the required nasty elements required for us to really dislike the guy.

Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever is a pleasant(?) surprise, I was worried that it was truly going to be awful, the stories had taken away my hope and belief for the film so it's reassuring to know I was wrong and that we have a great little sequel here that actually leaves you wanting more from the franchise. Some may be turned off by this films approach, others will no doubt embrace it and some may even find themselves preferring this over the original. Recommended.

Purchase the DVD here.