Tubi’s ’80s-inspired horror film is a devilishly delicious treat for fans

Movies and TV shows have been eager to revisit the ’80s for quite some time. For example, Netflix’s Stranger Things is extremely popular for its excellent representation of the period. But while Stranger Things tends to nail its setting, that doesn’t always hold true for its contemporaries. No matter how much attention is paid to the right moment, there are often smaller details that break the immersion. And no matter how hard you try, it can be hard to really “feel” like you’re living in the time period the media wants you to believe.

That’s why I was drawn to it The House of the Devildirector Ti West’s brilliant exercise in chilling retro realism. It’s available to stream with an AMC Plus subscription or for free at Tubi. This indie masterpiece takes me back to a time when horror was all about tension, atmosphere and a slow build to a terrifying climax. It does this while staying true to the era of horror it wants to evoke.

The film follows Samantha (Jocelin Donahue), a college student who is desperate for money and works as a babysitter in a creepy old mansion. When she arrives on the scene, she quickly discovers that she is facing a completely different charge than a child. Left alone overnight, she orders a pizza and puts on a movie as the fear gradually increases and the crowd prepares for something horrific. The House of the Devil is reminiscent of classic films like Halloween and When a Stranger Calls, but magnified tenfold.

From the opening credits, The House of the Devil sets the tone with a ridiculously precise and detailed retro aesthetic. It’s not just set in the 1980s; it feels like it was made then. The grainy film texture, costumes and era-appropriate hair are absolutely perfect. The soundtrack includes songs such as One Thing Leads To Another by The Fixx and The Break Up Song by The Greg Kihn Band. The film not only feels like it’s dressing up in 80s style, but like it’s emerging from that era.

The film was shot on 16mm film, creating the specialized throwback look, and the cinematography is lifted straight from ’80s filmmakers, along with a host of other techniques to evoke classics of the era. Everything, down to the opening credits, is period accurate, and I appreciated all the attention paid to making sure everything fits together, down to the cups in the pizza restaurant you see early in the film.

Sam realizes something is wrong when she comes across evidence that the family who hired her for the babysitting job is not the same as in the photos. Realizing she may have been deceived, she tries to call 911, but she has already eaten a slice of spoiled pizza. She faints when she catches a glimpse of what exactly she was hired to ‘babysit’.

The film’s path is fraught with creepy moments (just ask Sam’s best friend Megan, played by Barbie director Greta Gerwig), with believably gruesome practical effects that are unsettling and chilling. The horrible “Mother,” which Sam discovers is connected to her original job, is an example of ’80s filmmaking that would have made audiences sick to their stomachs.

Without spoiling the climax, The House of the Devil maintains a gnawing, unsettling sense of dread throughout its running time. It’s not afraid to use themes of isolation, the unknown, and betrayal to keep you on the edge of your seat, which I appreciated on first viewing and only grew to appreciate more with each rewatch. As gruesome as the story is, I am convinced that this film would not have been possible without its dedication 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 “sex is bad” parable where a group of teenagers are picked off one by one, The House of the Devil is one of the best films. you could put on your Halloween watch list. It brings the golden age of ’80s horror to life in believable, decadent ways that will have you squirming in your seat. I’m still unpacking the gagworthy climax, and I bet you will too.