  
HouseMPAA Rating:
 for some violence and terror.Reviewed by: Angela Bowman Very Offensive
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Adults
Genre:
Horror, Thriller, Drama
Length:
1 hr. 41 min.
Year of Release:
2008
USA Release:
November 7, 2008
DVD: April 7, 2009            Relevant Issues
Is Satan a real person that influences our world today? Is he affecting you? Answer  Discover the good news that Jesus Christ offers
Why is the world the way it is? If God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving, would He really create a world like this? (filled with oppression, suffering, death and cruelty) Answer   
“The only way out… is in.” “House” is based on the novel by Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. It centers around a young couple, Jack (Reynaldo Rosales) and Stephanie (Heidi Dippold), who are in a troubled marriage, and on their way to counseling, who end up stranded in a rural area. The young couple happens upon the Wayside Inn. They enter to find the house empty, save another couple in the same predicament (Randy, played by J.P. Davis and Leslie, played by Julie Ann Emery). But just as their nerves are beginning to settle, the host family returns and the nightmare really begins. The four houseguests are forced to face inner struggles brought to life, while trapped in a maze of a “haunted house” that has a mind of it’s own, hunted by the Master of the House, who has set out three house rules.
It appears that the only way out is for one of them to die. “House” is definitely not a family film, and I would have to agree with the “R” rating it has received. Along with the elements of terror, it contains adult themes, satanic references and symbols and a good deal of violence and death, including violence using guns and knives. One of the female characters wears a low-cut dress revealing cleavage. While she is at the inn with one man, she flirts with Jack, who is married. She is portrayed as promiscuous, due to a past traumatic experience that plays out in the film, and there is one scene in which they start to kiss, however he does not follow through. Another scene that one might find particularly troubling is of a young boy shooting another person. The characters who are possessed by demons have black smoking coming from them, and, in some cases, their eyes glaze over showing the demons beneath, and there are multiple satanic symbols. Technically speaking, this film was quite impressive for a lower-budget production (estimated at $2,500,000). While there were a few obviously “fake” scenes, overall, the special effects that the story called for were very good. Unfortunately, this is the only positive quality I could find with this movie, because everything else about it was very disturbing. Trying to give the production the benefit of the doubt, I considered that “House” was made as a secular film and not a Christian film, however whether or not one labels this a Christian film, it still has the same problems from a Christian standpoint. First of all is the general darkness of the film. The images of violence and murder made me think upon Philippians 4:8, that we are to think about things that are noble, right, pure, lovely, whatever is admirable, and, from that standpoint, I can’t help but wonder how God would feel about entertainment that brings down the spirit and leaves a person with disturbing images and thoughts. However, while some may be able to overlook this aspect, I simply cannot overlook the second, which is the satanic element. There are a few satanic symbols shown, the most prevalent being the Church of Satan symbol, which is the inverted pentagram and goat’s head, and it is made very clear that the evil forces are satanic. The problem with this is that, while the evil element is very clear, the good element is not clear at all, and, in explanation, I am afraid that I have to give away an important piece of the ending. The good element is portrayed by a young girl, who dies and becomes a light that destroys the evil. As Christians, we may assume that this is supposed to be a representative of Jesus Christ, however this is never made clear in the film. And while you might argue that it is allegorical, then I must ask why the evil is not as well. If there is a battle with Satan clearly on one side, then we must have Jesus clearly on the other side. 2 Corinthians 11:14 tells us that Satan can appear to be an angel of light, so the fact that this girl turns into light means nothing, and Ephesians 6:10-18, which speaks of spiritual warfare, tells us that our weapon against Satan is the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. While scripture regarding light and darkness is mentioned, the film does not further explain this, and, in fact, it is quite literally the light within the girl that overcomes the satanic darkness. Of further concern, some people believe in feminine gods, and therefore could justify their beliefs through this film. The bottom-line is that only Jesus can save us from Satan, because He is the one who defeated Satan. It is not a girl or a light; it is Jesus. Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Mild / Sex/Nudity: Moderate Also see our Christian Film News™ article - “House”—Dekker and Peretti’s horror/thriller receives theatrical release See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.   Comments below:
Positive
Positive - I am a fulltime pastor and earnest student of scripture, and I found this film fantastic! I have no understanding why the reviewer of this film rated it the way that he did. First of all the movie had one mild cuss word in it, h_ll, and the violence was very mild (in comparison to many of our PG 13 movies). Positive - I thought it was good for adults and mature teens. Young children should not see it without an adult, it was pretty sceary for most parts, but not the whole thing. There was nothing bad about it, because it's a Christian movie and book, I enjoyed the book and movie. The book was based on what your heart feels and looks like, and how to be strong in your faith and belive that all things happen for the good. I really liked it!! Positive - PEOPLE!! that movie was awesome! I love the contrast of good and evil—light and dark. Dekker and Peretti are masters! They painted a picture of desperation and evil and then after there was no way they could get out themselves, showed them the light—an angel. Positive - …This film is about purgatory, about a judgment in which Satan is in control, much like the turmoil Job underwent. But Satan is only in control for a time, and “House” reflects that concept extremely well. This isn't supposed to be a verse by verse depiction of Biblical events. This is much like Narnia. After all, is Christ a lion? Positive - Wow! I've been wanting to see this film ever since I read the book, about 2 years ago. At the end, it's pretty clear that Pereti and Dekker are trying to portray Christ, and how He died for us, but in the movie, it isn't as clear unless you've read the book. There is one 'What the h***?'. And Leslie wears a skimpy dress that reveals stuff that doesn't need to be revealed. Overall, the movie was great. For being rated R, and never seeing a scary movie in my life, I only jumped once. Its not the Hollywood scare, it's just a different kind. I'm probably not making myself clear. But I'd advise the movie, if you've read the book, and understand the ending. Neutral
Neutral - My husband and I read the book that this movie portrays. So, naturally we watched the movie as well. The book (as always) is way better than the movie. We have to admit that the gospel message was not as obvious as it was in the book. It seems the movie producers watered down the gospel message quite a bit. It wasn't clear, as it was in the book, that the characters needed to get saved to overcome the sin inside of them. In the movie it is not clear that the characters got saved and that is why they were able to overcome the darkness. Whereas in the book, it is clear. Negative
Negative - I just rented this movie today. All I can say is this movie did not have a clear salvation message in it. It did have a few Scriptures, but no clear way pointing to Christ. If this was meant for the unsaved to see this film, then it fails miserably. It is not even a scary movie compared to other horror films. Negative - Films like HOUSE are the reason that I avoid most “Christian” films. I knew what to expect the moment that the cheesy opening credits started to roll. This film steals from every classic horror film imaginable, from THE SHINING to DELIVERANCE. The film showcases perfect examples of bad pacing and editing, acting and direction. The people behind this film have obviously never been classically trained in the art of filmmaking. The whole exercise looks like an amateur music video. It's not even close to being scary. The story isn't all that interesting. In fact, it was quite boring. Negative - First off, as a Film student, I must admit for the budget, the cinematography and special effects are fairly decent, no major complaints here. Aside from that, this movie is a waste. I LOVED the book, one of my favorites, but this movie is not worth watching. My first complaint is the movie poster had a picture of a door with the Satanic Pentagram. Sorry, your movie poster represents your film, we learned this really early on. I do not see how someone who is Christian can feel OK staring at the symbols portrayed on the walls. I do not think the movie deserved it's R rating, necesarrily, but I will not be recommending it either way. Comments from young people
Negative - From what I've heard of the movie it is definitely one centered in evil. It sounds like a warped version of the book, also very dark, but with a strong relation to the darkness we as humans face. The book is very symbolic of the life we live in with Satan before we give our lives to Christ. The books very scary with a positive message at the end. Positive - I am 14 years old, and I think I understand this movie more than you do. I'm not trying to be rude or anything but it seems you expected this movie to be full of preachyness like “Fireproof” or “Left Behind.” It's not any of those movies. This movie wasn't made for Christians in mind. It was made for the lost. The people who delight themselves in this type of darkness not understanding what the darkness is actually doing to them. Positive - I saw this movie with my friends (all 16), and we would rate this either a PG movie. It is not at all scary! And there is positive stuff in this movie. To understand it, you have to READ all of Ted Dekker's books.… Positive - Having read the book, I was anticipating this film for three years. After several go-arounds in theaters, as well as many false DVD release dates, I finally grabbed a copy at my local Wal-Mart. I can truthfully say I was overall disappointed, but only because the movie strays so far from the book that they are nearly unrelated. I suggest reading the book first, 1) because it's better and 2) because you will get the spiritual message that is no where to be found in the movie. Comments from non-viewers
…I have not seen this movie and have no desire too. I read the book, though, because I enjoy many of Frank Peretti's books. However, as I was reading it, I found it—for lack of a better word—weird. The whole concept of the book was just weird. And some people might find it disturbing. Four people trapped in a basement with a killer after them and the killer's sidekicks?? Okay, I appreciated that lack of foul language (at least, I don't remember any) and no sexual content. But the main reason I am labeling this “negative” is how does it truly have a Christian storyline? Couldn't they do a better job making the message of Christ more obvious? This is all referring to the book storyline, not the movie, since I haven't seen it. To me, it was like they labeled it “Christian” and squeezed in a pathetic attempt for a gospel message. Now, I know it is not supposed to be a movie like “Fireproof” or “Facing the Giants,” but surely someone must agree that the message could have been clearer. I finished the book with a frown. “That was it?” I was disapointed with the book, because thoughout the entire story I was hoping for a really good ending. Boy, was I wrong. I just think that the Gospel message should have been clearer, not pathetically squeezed in. …I have not seen the movie (yet); I greatly look forward to it. I've read the book… For those of [you] pounding Frank and Ted (I know you're out there!!), don't knock it till you try it. They are very good at what they do!! I haven't seen the movie, but I have read the book. I would think the movie to be really good, if it is like the book, which it sounds to me like it is. I don't think I can see the movie because of its rating, but I always thought it would makea good movie even with all of the violence. Frank Perretti and Ted Dekker both have great books and a lot of them would make great movies. As for my ratings above, I thought it would probably be good and at least a 3 if I had seen it. |
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