House (2008)

In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac (The Tin Man) bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house.

Director:

Robby Henson

Writers:

Ted Dekker (novel), Rob Green (screenplay)

Stars:

Reynaldo Rosales, Heidi Dippold, Michael Madsen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Michael Madsen	...	Tin Man / Officer
Reynaldo Rosales	...	Jack Singleton
Heidi Dippold	...	Stephanie Singleton
Julie Ann Emery	...	Leslie Taylor
J.P. Davis	...	Randy Messsarue
Lew Temple	...	Pete
Leslie Easterbrook	...	Betty
Bill Moseley	...	Stewart
Pawel Delag	...	Officer Lawdale
Weronika Rosati	...	Mrs. Lawdale
Alanna Bale	...	Susan (as Alana Bale)
Mark Fierer	...	Randy's Father
Florentyna Synowiecka	...	Melissa
Andrew Gorzen	...	Leslie's Uncle
Albert Pietrzak	...	Young Randy

Storyline

In rural Alabama, two couples find themselves in a fight for survival. Running from a maniac (The Tin Man) bent on killing them, they flee deep into the woods and seek refuge in a house. They soon realize the killer has purposely lured them to this house and that they are now trapped. As they huddle around an old fireplace, a tin can falls through the chimney. Scrawled on its side is a message from the killer, establishing his House Rules. The rules call for their deaths unless they kill at least one of the four. They have less than 12 hours to find a way to survive. At sunrise the game is over and everyone dies if the killer's demands aren't met. What they quickly learn is that the only way out... is in. But going further into this house--where unknown challenges await them--is equally deadly.

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Plot Keywords:

game | evil | dinner | tin can | sunrise | 

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Taglines:

The only way out... is in.

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Genres:

Horror

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some violence and terror

Did You Know?

Trivia

Leslie Easterbrook and Bill Moseley played "mother and son" once before, in The Devil's Rejects (2005).

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Goofs

In the beginning, when Stephanie (Heidi Dippold) is in the car painting her toenails, the camera shows a close up of all of them painted. But, after a quick shot just before she pulls the newspaper up to view, you can clearly see that her right big toenail is still unpainted, even though in the previous shot, it was.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Officer Lawdale: Ssh. It's going to be okay.
Mrs. Lawdale: It's going to be okay? You really mean, it's going to be okay for us?
Officer Lawdale: Not us.
Mrs. Lawdale: Sweet heart?
Officer Lawdale: It's going to be okay, for me...

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Connections

References The Wizard of Oz (1939)

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Soundtracks

My Heart Holds No Secrets
Written by Vince Emmett
Performed by Lindsay Willinger

User Reviews

OK story. Unfourtunately, that's about it.

I was kind of looking forward to this movie as it looked like one of those that might make me not be able to sleep for a while. However, I just watched it and the story was interesting but I was not frightened at all.

The acting isn't very good. In most scenes where something intense is supposed to be happening, the actors just seem to overreact. In other cases they don't seem freaked out at all by what's going on. But the worst part about the acting is that the 'evil ones' mostly just make you laugh. It's like watching a comedy that spoofs horror films.

The sound effects also contribute to a negative part of this film. The voices you hear in the background are just too typical. For example, I could swear I had heard the 'laughing child' voice in at least 20 other horror movies.

I really hoped that this film would stand out. Unfourtunately, the story is the only part that's unique. I haven't read the novel but I think it's safe to say that this story is much better imagined than watched on the screen.

3/10 stars. Sadly, it's not worth the watch.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 November 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

House of Terror

Filming Locations:

Lódz, Lódzkie, Poland

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$327,445, 9 November 2008

Gross USA:

$575,048

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,141,018

Company Credits

Production Co:

More Entertainment, Namesake Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

88 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1