Horror Movie Buddy Review: House (1985)

Ah, House. No, not the medical drama with the cranky doctor, but rather the 1980’s haunted house horror-comedy with practical effects for days.

So, what’s it about? Well, the movie follows Vietnam vet and successful author Roger Cobb. After the sudden and unexplained disappearance of Roger’s young son, his life is in shambles. He’s been through a divorce, his writing career is at a stand-still, and his aunt has just committed suicide by hanging herself in the titular house–the very same house where his son first vanished.

Roger decides to return to the home of his late aunt for some much-needed solitude while he struggles to work on his latest book based on his experiences during the Vietnam War. Well, that was the plan anyway. Unfortunately for Roger, he soon finds himself plagued both day and night by his nosy and obnoxious-though-caring neighbor and a host of malicious ghosts and ghouls that haunt the house.

We had a good time discussing this movie, so here are our thoughts on it, and also some fun facts thrown in for good measure. 😉

 

1. Did you enjoy the film? 

Scream: Fuck-to-the-yeah.

Sugar: Definitely! It was one I’d seen and enjoyed before but I was long overdue for a re-watch!

 

FUN FACT: Inspired by Twilight Zone: The Movie (1983), Fred Dekker originally intended for this story to be part of an indie horror anthology with some friends that never came to fruition. He originally penned it as a straight-up horror film, with none of the humor that House is known for. Due to Dekker being tied up with working on the 1985 Godzilla, his friend Ethan Wiley, who was also involved in the would-be anthology that never happened took over the writing and ended up adding in all of the comedy, much to the horror of Dekker.

 

 

2. Did you like that the film had humor to it, rather than just being purely horror?

Scream: It’s hard for me to decided which I enjoy more, straight up horror or comedy horror. Both are excellent in my Book (of the Dead)!

Sugar: Ha! I see what ya did there. 😉 I agree, I love pure horror but I also absolutely adore a good horror comedy, which this movie definitely shines as. It’s like chocolate and peanut butter. They’re both great as is, but if you mix the two just right? Perfection! *chef’s kiss*

 

 

3. What did you think about the practical effects/creature designs?

Scream: I will never understand why more movies/TV shows don’t still do this. IT’S SO MUCH COOLER THAN COMPUTER GRAPHICS.

Sugar: Right? I loved the practical effects in this. They were the perfect blend of fun and creepy.

 

FUN FACT: The film utilizes practical effects, and all of the creatures for the film were created in a span of 3 months.

 

 

4. What did you think of the characters?

Scream: They were all ridiculous. In a funny way.

Sugar: Yeah, they were all good for a laugh. 🙂

 

FUN FACT: The movie shares some special links with the Friday the 13th Franchise:

Steve Minor, who directed this movie, also directed Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981).

The stunt coordinator (Kane Hodder) is the actor to play horror icon Jason Vorhees the most, portraying the slasher in 4 films. He also played Victor Crowley in the Hatchet movies.

The Friday the 13th movies and House also share producer Sean S. Cunningham and feature music created by Harry Manfredini.

 

 

5. What other horror films do you think someone who likes House might enjoy?

Both of us agreed 100% on this: Evil Dead 2 and Dead Alive. ❤

 

 

Have you seen this 80’s horror classic, or watched any other good horror movies recently? Let us know!