The Amityville Horror (1979)~ Film Review
The home is a sanctuary in which we as humans are meant to feel safe. Home is where the heart is and never do we think that the world’s terrors could walk through our doors and flip our world upside down. The Amityville Horror is an example of a safe place being turned into a nightmare.
The film’s plot is something that we as horror fans are familiar with. A family moves into a house with a storied past and weird things begin to happen. Not only does the house do funny things but the inhabitants of the house begin to feel its wrath as well. The strong, manly father (as depicted by the director) begins to become sick and weak. The mother becomes irrational and even the family dog begins to run around in circles for no apparent reason.
What makes The Amityville Horror unique in a sense is its blending of different horror genres. While the house clearly has a mind of its own and has supernatural tendencies, it is clear that demons have taken over the house. Ghost, supernatural, and most importantly, demon qualities are molded together. This movie incorporates and inspires tons of other films. It has bits of The Exorcist, The Changeling, and The Shining while also seemingly inspiring films like Paranormal Activity and even house horrors like Funny Games or The Strangers.
Ultimately, this film is entrenched in horror history and has a strong following, but there are things about this film that…
