House (1986)

Plot Outline: Roger Cobb is a horror author who moves into his aunt’s house when she commits suicide, hoping that the new environment will give him a fresh start after separating from his wife. But strange things start happening in the house and it soon becomes clear that someone or something resents him being there. Is he cracking up or is something really out there to get him?

The Review: Haunted house films were a popular thing after The Amityville Horror and it’s quite easy to see why. What is more scary about your own home, the only place in the world you should feel completely safe and secure, becoming home to a malevolent evil presence which is trying to kill you or terrify you into leaving? Whereas The Amityville Horror went for the straight horror route and failed miserably, this one adds a touch of comedy to the proceedings. As a result the film is extremely silly but quite enjoyable if watched in the right mood. It kind of reminded me of The Evil Dead II: Dead by Dawn in many ways with its combination of weird and ridiculous monsters, attempted horror and silly comedy. Because the monsters are inflated and overblown puppets or guys under mounds of make-up, they don’t scare the viewer at all so the only thing left for them to do is make the viewer laugh. William Katt is great in the lead role. The part is well-written and he reacts to what is going on around him in a rational and sane way. He tries to film the monsters so that others can believe him, instead of running away like a scared cat. If you can last the pretty dull first half, then the second half is a hoot and the final battle between Cobb and Big Ben, a rotting ex-serviceman, is great.

Final Verdict: Failing to live up to its horror and its comedy tags, House is still a watchable time. It’s a little slow for the first half but once the monsters start to kick in, the film is good B-movie entertainment.

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