This Movie Is So '80s It Practically Bleeds Static -- and It's Free on Tubi

CNET

5 days ago

There's something about vintage horror that gets under my skin in the best way. The grainy visuals, the eerie synth soundtracks, the slow-building tension all feels so much more unsettling than flashy modern jump scares. Lately, I've noticed a lot of horror films diving back into that '80s vibe, but not all of them pull it off.
The House of the Devil absolutely does. From the first scene, it feels like you've stumbled onto an old VHS tape in the best possible way. Ti West doesn't just borrow from the era, but he fully commits to it. The pacing, the atmosphere, the film grain,it's all there, and it works. It's not just style for nostalgia's sake. It's a slow-burn indie horror that taps into the kind of dread that sticks with you long after the credits roll.
You can watch it for free on Tubi (which is one of the best places to find weird, wonderful horror right now). If you're into suspense-driven scares with that old-school flavor, this one's a must-watch.
The movie follows Samantha (Jocelin Donahue), a college student desperate for cash who takes a babysitting job in a creepy old mansion. She soon discovers she's dealing with a much different charge than a child when she arrives on site. As she's left alone for the night, she orders a pizza and cues up a flick on TV, while the dread builds incrementally and the audience settles in for something horrific. The House of the Devil is reminiscent of classic films like Halloween and When a Stranger Calls, but ratcheted up tenfold.
From the opening credits, The House of the Devil sets the tone with a ridiculously accurate and detailed retro aesthetic. It doesn't just take place in the 1980s -- it feels like it was made then. The grainy film texture, era-appropriate costumes and hair are absolutely perfect. It's set to a curated soundtrack with tracks including The Fixx's One Thing Leads To Another and The Greg Kihn Band's The Break Up Song. The movie doesn't just feel like it's dressing up in '80s tropes, but like it was birthed from that time.
The movie was shot on 16mm film, creating its specialized throwback look. It lifts cinematography straight from '80s filmmakers along with a slew of other techniques to evoke classics of the era. Everything, down to the credits, is period accurate, and I appreciated all the attention given to making sure everything matches, down to the cups at the pizza restaurant seen early in the movie.
The Ulmans have a secret reason why they hired Sam to watch "Mother."
MPI Movie Group/Screenshot by CNET
Sam realizes something is amiss when she stumbles upon proof that the family that hired her for the babysitting job isn't the same one in the photos. Realizing she might have been deceived, she attempts a 911 call, but she's already eaten a piece of tainted pizza. She passes out just as she gets a glimpse of what exactly it is she's been hired to "babysit."
The movie's path is fraught with grisly moments (just ask Sam's best friend Megan, played by Barbie director Greta Gerwig), with believably gruesome practical effects that unsettle and chill to the bone. The hideous "Mother," who Sam discovers is connected to her original job, is an example of '80s filmmaking that would have made audiences sick to their stomachs.
Sam's friend Megan is not pleased at all by the situation at the Ulmans' house.
MPI Movie Group/Screenshot by CNET
Without spoiling the climax, The House of the Devil maintains a gnawing, upsetting sense of dread throughout its runtime. It isn't afraid to use themes of isolation, the unknown and betrayal to keep you on the edge of your seat, which I appreciated on my first viewing and only grew to love more with each rewatch. As horrific as the story is, I firmly believe that this movie wouldn't have been possible without its commitment to staying true to the era that inspired it.
If you're looking for a horror movie that doesn't rely on cheap jump scares or the overwrought parable "sex is bad" with a group of teens being picked off one by one, The House of the Devil is one of the best flicks you could put on your Halloween viewing list. It brings the golden years of '80s horror to life in believable, decadent ways that'll have you squirming in your seat. I'm still unpacking the gagworthy climax, and I bet you will be too.