House movies are some of the most popular horror movie types. From the classic haunted house film, The Legend of Hell House, to the spooky and twisted movie, Ju-On: The Grudge, there are a number of films to choose from when looking for the perfect horror film.
Ju-On: The Grudge
The Grudge has a lot of great moments. The cinematic alchemy of the film is impressive. Its scares are sophisticated and eerie, but they also have an element of affection.
The film was directed by Takashi Shimizu. He had been directing Japanese sequels before taking on the remake.
The story takes place in Tokyo and revolves around a house filled with spirits. This haunting is created by the death of a person. However, the curse doesn’t affect those who aren’t cursed.
The film’s story is loosely based on the curse of grudge. In Japan, vengeful ghosts are a common motif. A well-known example is Himeji Castle, where the ghosts Okiki and Aokigahara are said to haunt.
The Haunting
The Haunting in House Movies is a genre that has come a long way. From the early days of Roger Corman, to the ’70s telefilm series, to the modern day horror franchises, this form of storytelling has evolved from a mere curiosity to a serious business.
One of the most memorable is the legendary The Shining. With over 30 iconic lines, it is one of the best films of all time.
It is also one of the first movies to ever feature a ghost. While the movie is not scary by today’s standards, it did pioneer the concept of ghost story tropes.
Another classic is The Uninvited. This haunted house film follows two well-meaning nitwits who fall in love with a house. However, it is not a movie to watch if you dislike stupid decisions.
The Old Dark House
The Old Dark House is one of the most influential horror films of the 1930s. This re-imagining of the classic Priestley novel was directed by James Whale. It is now being released on Blu-ray for the first time in the UK.
Whale’s The Old Dark House combines the wacky wit of a Leatherface comedy with Gothic creepiness. There are candlelit hallways, whistling wind, and ghoulish faces in a mirror.
A group of travelers find shelter in a eerie house in Wales. They are stranded there by a landslide. However, something dark and mysterious is locked away in the house.
The eerie house contains a strange and eccentric family. Their members include Horace Femm (Ernest Thesiger), who is neurotic and uptight, and his sister Rebecca (Eva Moore). They also have a brutish mute butler named Morgan (Boris Karloff), who is alcoholic and a brute.
The Innocents
The Innocents is a classic horror film starring Deborah Kerr. It is based on Henry James’ novella The Turn of the Screw. It is a tense, dark and haunting tale.
Based on the novella, The Innocents follows a governess named Miss Giddens. Her duties at Bly House involve caring for two young children. One of the girls, Aisha, is gifted with supernatural powers.
Ben, on the other hand, is not as fortunate. He has mysterious powers that allow him to move objects with his mind. Upon discovering his mother is not the only person who has such power, he uses her to kill the other child.
The Legend of Hell House
The Legend of Hell House is a 1973 supernatural horror flick starring the likes of Roddy McDowall, Pamela Franklin and Clive Revill. It was directed by John Hough. Like a lot of early 1970s films, it was financed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. It was also the last film starring James H. Nicholson. Sadly, Nicholson died of a brain tumor on December 10, 1972. For all the hype, the movie was a resounding dud. Luckily, a handful of lucky fans got the chance to see it again at the Cinecise in San Jose. This time around, the cast was more than just a bunch of bad guys.
The Orphanage
The Orphanage is a Spanish-Mexican supernatural horror film. Based on a story by Sergio G. Sanchez, the movie was written in 1996. It follows a woman who returns to her childhood home to help her son, Simon.
Laura Garcia Rodriguez (Belen Rueda) has returned to the orphanage where she grew up with her husband, Carlos. They intend to turn the facility into a home for children with special needs. However, her plans are disturbed when a strange woman (Benigna Escobedo) enters their lives.
The Orphanage is a film that is more than just a horror movie. It has elements of gothic horror, fantasy, and child-parent relationships. And while there are some unsettling scenes, it uses a more subtle approach to horror than other films.
