The Amityville Horror Falls Flat

summarizeEditor's Summary

I was stoked to check out The Amityville Horror, but unfortunately, it was a total letdown. The movie tries to pass off a debunked urban legend as fact, which just didn't fly with me. The cinematography was actually pretty good, but the dull plot and lack of real horror made it a chore to watch. The whole thing felt like a shallow attempt to cash in on a famous hoax. If you're a fan of the Amityville legend, you might find some interest in this film, but for me, it was a total waste of time.

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KararKötü

Hikaye4/10

Görünüm8/10

DiniAnlatı2/10

Etkileyicilik3/10

KameraKalitesi9/10

OyuncuPerformansı8/10

The Amityville Horror Falls Flat

I recently stumbled upon The Amityville Horror in my recommendations, and I have to say, it caught my attention with its quality cinematography. Unfortunately, it was a total waste of time. I was surprised by how many positive reviews this movie got, and how easily people bought into the urban legend that was once passed off as real events.

We all know now that the Lutz hoax was debunked, and the story was so dull that it inspired books and movies. The plot twist starts with Ronald DeFeo Jr. shooting his entire sleeping family in November 1974, allegedly on the orders of voices coming from the walls. But what actually happened, as you might know, is that

Ronald DeFeo Jr. confessed to the crime. He told the police, 'Once I started, I just couldn't stop'.

The trial began in October 1975. His lawyer claimed that Ronald had lost his mind, and that the demonic voices coming from the walls had driven him to kill his family.

DeFeo was eventually found guilty and sentenced to life in prison.

The movie takes creative liberties with the timeline, using the 28 days the Lutz family spent in the house as the basis for its plot. That's a pretty big stretch, but hey, it's all about artistic license, right?

The story's got a familiar ring to it – a family gets tempted into buying a house with a dark past. So, George and Kathy Lutz take the plunge, thinking it'll be the key to their American dream.

The movie follows the Lutz family as they move into their new home, only to discover that it has a dark and sinister history. But what really gets my goat is how the movie tries to pass off the Lutz family as some kind of heroes, when in reality they were just a bunch of gullible people who fell for a hoax.

The plot is all over the place, with characters behaving in illogical and absurd ways. There's not a single moment that I couldn't see coming. I really didn't like the priest storyline. The whole film feels like a mockery or a joke about religion, and the events just don't make sense in the context of real life.

I think they should've just left religion out of it – it wouldn't have made the movie any worse (although it's hard to imagine it getting much worse). The theme of relationships between kids and parents is barely touched on, and the torture of the Native Americans and the Ketchum family is completely glossed over.

To top it all off, I never got the feeling of being in the 1970s that the film was supposed to evoke. The cinematography is the only redeeming quality of this movie – it's actually quite good. But that's not enough to save this mess of a film.

This movie delivers on the quality of its cinematography and atmosphere: an old house, archives, and the surrounding nature are all really aesthetically pleasing. Another plus is the acting and the actors' performances.

I didn't find it scary, but it did leave me feeling grossed out (and occasionally laughing) and like I'd wasted my time. The Amityville Horror was a miss for Andrew Douglas, even as an attempt to emulate his colleagues. It's an unoriginal film that won't impress horror fans, and casual viewers will be even less impressed. I wouldn't recommend watching it.

Thanks for your time and more interesting movies in your collection!

Check out our reviews of movies and TV shows here

Reviews of horror movies:

The Rite (2011)

Black Phone (2021)

The Girl Next Door (2007)

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005)

The Ring (2002)

A Quiet Place Part II (2020)

Silent Hill (2006)

This movie is a total waste of time.The plot is all over the place.The characters behave in illogical and absurd ways.The movie tries to pass off the Lutz family as heroes.The theme of relationships between kids and parents is barely touched on.The torture of the Native Americans and the Ketchum family is completely glossed over.The movie doesn't evoke the feeling of being in the 1970s.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is The Amityville Horror based on a true story?

While the movie takes creative liberties with the events, it's loosely based on the infamous Amityville horror story. However, it's worth noting that the Lutz family's claims of paranormal activity have been largely debunked as a hoax.

What's the deal with the Amityville house?

The Amityville house is a real location in New York that's been the site of several infamous murders, including the DeFeo family massacre. The house has since become a popular tourist destination for fans of the horror genre.

Is The Amityville Horror any good?

Honestly, no. The movie's attempt to pass off a debunked urban legend as fact fell flat, and the dull plot and lack of real horror made it a chore to watch. If you're a fan of the Amityville legend, you might find some interest in this film, but for me, it was a total letdown.

What's the difference between The Amityville Horror and other horror movies?

The Amityville Horror tries to pass off a debunked urban legend as fact, which sets it apart from other horror movies that focus on more supernatural or paranormal elements. However, the movie's attempt to cash in on the Amityville legend feels shallow and exploitative.

Is The Amityville Horror suitable for all ages?

No, The Amityville Horror is rated R for a reason. The movie contains some graphic violence, strong language, and suggestive content that make it unsuitable for younger viewers.

Can I watch The Amityville Horror for free?

Unfortunately, no. The Amityville Horror is a commercial film that's available for purchase or rent on various streaming platforms. If you're looking for a free horror movie, you might want to try something else.

What's the best way to watch The Amityville Horror?

If you do decide to watch The Amityville Horror, I'd recommend watching it on a big screen with a good sound system. The movie's attempt to create tension and suspense relies heavily on its atmosphere and sound design, so it's worth watching in a format that can do it justice.

Is The Amityville Horror part of a larger franchise?

Yes, The Amityville Horror is part of a larger franchise that includes several sequels and spin-offs. However, the original movie is the most well-known and widely regarded as the 'true' Amityville horror story.

check_circlePros

•The cinematography was actually pretty good, with some nice shots of the Amityville house.
•The cast did their best with the material they were given, but it was a tough sell.
•The movie did a good job of setting the atmosphere, even if the rest of the film didn't live up to it.
•I appreciated the nod to the real-life events that inspired the story.
•The special effects were decent, but not particularly impressive.
•The score was creepy and added to the tension, even if the rest of the film didn't deliver.

cancelCons

•The plot was dull and predictable, with too much repetition.
•The movie relied too heavily on cheap jump scares rather than actual tension or horror.
•The characters were underdeveloped and lacked any real depth or motivation.
•The whole thing felt like a shallow attempt to cash in on a famous hoax.
•The pacing was slow and plodding, making it hard to stay engaged.
•The movie's attempt to pass off a debunked urban legend as fact felt dishonest and exploitative.