For the past 15 years, filmmaker Ti West has been a steady presence in the Horror community. I’ve seen six features, plus a couple more where he contributes segments and some TV work, like a recent flashback episode of Widow’s Bay. His profile shot up after a trio of films with Mia Goth, but it all started with The House of the Devil. It’s a spooky babysitter film that looks like a relic from the 80s, with a John Carpenter style score to match. The cast includes Tom Noonan, Dee Wallace and Mary Woronov, but also Greta Gerwig and Lena Dunham. (Gerwig in particular is so comfortable in the 80s period that you might not notice it’s her.)
Early Ti West is a mood. For a long time, nothing happens and some people have definitely checked out waiting for the film to get going. Those who get on his tempo find an atmosphere of dread that keep it suspenseful. While you get to know the babysitter in this vintage setting, the uncertainty and fear make for an eerie experience. We know something bad is going to happen. It’s probably happening in the moment and not only is she unaware, we’re in knots looking for the danger signals too.
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