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- House Is a So Bad It’s Good Horror Movie
- Why Is House Such a Cult Classic?
As a connoisseur of the so-bad-it’s-good genre and someone who has spent countless nights watching everything from “The Room” to “Llamageddon,” I can confidently say that “House” is a cult classic that deserves its place among these cinematic oddities. Having grown up in the era of VHS tapes, I remember late-night viewings of such films with a nostalgic fondness, and “House” is no exception.
As we move into the second phase of the spooky season, folks are gearing up for Halloween with a vengeance. Pumpkins are being purchased, costumes are being designed, and some mischievous teenagers are hoarding toilet paper to play pranks on unsuspecting homeowners. While extroverts (or nature lovers as they’re sometimes called) are readying themselves for Halloween parties, introverts are planning a marathon of scary movies. Whether you delve into the depths of the horror genre or consider Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit your scary movie limit, there’s an utterly peculiar “horror” film that warrants your attention on Halloween night.
The internet is filled with lists of horror movies for people who hate horror, but all of them seemingly ignore House. Titled Hausu in Japanese, the film features a fairly bog-standard set-up: a teenage girl takes her group of friends to meet her aunt (who just so happens to live in the middle of nowhere). But, when they arrive, they come face to face with spirits and demons and are desperate to survive and escape. But, what separates House from other “horror” films and has helped define the movie as a bonafide cult classic are four words: cardboard cut-out cat demon!
House Is a So Bad It’s Good Horror Movie
If you’re not a fan of constant jump scares, here are two entertaining options for picking a scary movie. The first one is a humorous take on horror like “Scary Movie.” Alternatively, there’s the chance to stumble upon a horror film so poorly made that it unintentionally turns into a comedy. The movie “House” fits perfectly into this category and could very well be the reigning champion among all those “so-bad-it’s-good” horror flicks.
In 1975, with Jaws by Steven Spielberg causing a sensation and sending shivers down spines, the film company Toho Co. sought to capitalize on this trend by asking an unconventional director, Nobuhiko Obayashi, known primarily for TV commercials, to create an animal-themed movie. This was Obayashi’s first time directing a full-length feature film. The unique tale that unfolds is none other than the most bizarre horror film ever produced in Japan.
When discussing House, the term “acid-trip” is frequently employed. This film masterfully intertwines moments that resemble a dark TV drama with questionable green screen effects and landscapes constructed from roughly painted backgrounds. Essentially, House can be likened to a live stage production filmed for our viewing pleasure. The story revolves around seven school-aged girls, each characterized by names suggestive of their unique personalities (a la J.K. Rowling’s character naming). The group of friends includes Gorgeous, Prof, Kung-Fu, Melody, Sweet, Fantasy, and Stomach – yes, those are their real names.
Upon reaching Gorgeous’ auntie’s house, things aren’t as ordinary as they appear. The house initially sets a chilling tone, reminiscent of an isolation-based horror movie, as odd occurrences start happening to the girls. Creaky wooden beams, eerie sounds, and ghostly apparitions lurk just out of sight. However, around halfway through, the house sheds its serious veneer and plunges recklessly into hilarious absurdity. Watermelons transform into floating heads, nights are filled with “scary” neon hallucinations, and a massive painted cat sprays blood from its mouth. Describing any of the laughably terrifying moments would spoil it for first-time viewers of House. Similar to The Room or Neil Breen’s films, House is something that needs to be experienced rather than explained.
Why Is House Such a Cult Classic?
“House has gained significant acclaim among fans of cult horror due to its masterful embodiment of the ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ genre, which is particularly effective in horror films. While House isn’t inherently a poor movie, and it wasn’t produced with the aim of being one, it includes some eccentric creative decisions that shatter the illusion of reality for viewers, reminding them they’re experiencing the director’s vivid nightmare on screen.
The house in question is frequently likened to “The Room” and the works of Neil Breen, but its appeal thrives on the unwavering fandom for cheesy B-movie horror flicks. Movies like Llamageddon, Night of the Wererooster, Frankenhooker, and Birdemic: Shock and Terror have managed to stand out amidst the sea of content due to their bizarre plotlines and visual styles.
Undeniably, every film that falls into the category of ‘so-bad-it’s-good’ garners a specific circle of ardent fans who firmly believe it’s a masterpiece, and House is no exception to this rule. This movie is even analyzed in film schools worldwide. Moreover, there’s an increasing number of online and video essays that argue House is the creation of an underappreciated genius. As a result, the 70’s horror flick has found new life as a genuinely good movie. To top it all off, the film has earned the esteemed approval of Bill Hader, who openly expressed his admiration for the movie during both of his visits to the Criterion Closet.
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2024-10-26 22:01