Indie Horror 'House of the Devil' Opens on Halloween

While Rob Zombie's Halloween could more appropriately be called Labor Day, there is one hardcore horror movie not afraid to tie in to the All Hallow's Eve. No, it's not Saw, which this year comes out a full week before the big day, but rather House of the Devil. Presuming you've never heard of it, here's a little background. Variety says that Magnolia Pictures' Magnet Releasing acquired the rights after the film's premiere at Tribeca. It's a horror homage that fully embraces the genre films of the 1980s, and it's set in that period, as well. It's very indie, shot on digital video although unlike writer-director Ti West's previous features, there appears to be some budget. There aren't too many big names in the cast, although I saw Greta Gerwig in last year's Baghead by the Duplass Brothers, itself one of those very indie projects made for less money than you have in your pocket. In some circles, they're called Mumblecore movies, although that descriptor probably won't have the staying power of say, the French New Wave. I just watched the trailer and with all the new horror movies that aren't adding much to the genre - even remakes like Friday the 13th, while profitable, aren't breaking any ground whatsoever - I think it's about time we got some new blood, pardon the pun. Had I not known it was new, the trailer could have convinced me otherwise, minus some of the more modern editing techniques. Though it faces some competition from Richard Kelly's The Box as well as from Saw stragglers on Halloween weekend, wouldn't half a million to a million dollars in targeted marketing go a long way for a movie like this? Saw is not converting new audience members, and this looks like a much more worthy entry to me. I can't say how Magnet plans to advertise the film, but I think there's a void this one can fill. There are also plans to release the film on VOD as early as September, according to Variety. Check out the film's official site for more updates.