House aka Hausu (1977)

Running Time:  88 minutes

Release Date:  July 30, 1977

Review By:  Chris  

 Absurd. Daffy. Surreal. There are many adjectives in the English language. Without them it can be difficult to easily communicate abstract interpretations of a situation or thing. See i just used three right there. House is one such thing that can be difficult to verbalize. Not because fitting adjectives are unavailable, but to the contrary there are far too many adjectives available that seemly conflict with each other.

    Nobuhiko Obayashi feature film debut House, prominently showcases his previous experimental film background. Granted much of the thematic elements, stylistic choices and tones of Eastern film (especially Japanese), can seem to lean toward the experimental side to most western audiences. At the same time this is the same culture that gifted us Akira Kurosawa. Now House is no Drunken Angel but there is definitely something behind those schoolgirl uniforms (okay sorry couldn't resist).

To say that House lacks a plot would be not accurate. To say that House lacks a well structured, formulaic, coherent plot would be much closer to the ballpark. The script development was a collaboration between himself and his young daughter which was subsequently written in final form by Chiho Katsura. The story goes that not a single Toho directors was willing to direct the film as they felt it would be an albatross around their career's neck. And thus the script lied in wait for two years before Obayashi was given the green light to direct the film himself. What resulted was gleefully dark and spirited story about a bitter ghost with a penchant for killing nubile teens in the most unique of fashions.

    The basic plot is a young school girl aptly nicknamed Gorgeous chooses to go visit her distant spinster aunt instead of vacationing with her father and new step mother. Also she brings 6 of her friends with her (also aptly named as identifiers for their character profile ie: Fantasy, Kung Fu, Prof, Melody etc.). En route we get a bit of back story setting up the tragic aunt's story of losing her fiance in WWII and even a cameo of a mushroom cloud. They arrive and soon there after they are knocked off one by one. Now killing the young and foolish is a staple of any slasher project as natural as kitchen knives through shower curtains, but rarely is such practice treated to such texture and fanfare that would make nyancat feel at home. Therein lies the charm of House. The intentional decision to make light of the dispatching of the innocent teens. Every kill is layered with a thick coating of irreverent humor directed at the audience to the point that it seems as if out teens have intentionally decided to partake in the elimination. This culminates in the eventual revelation that the aunt was a ghost all along ala Bruce Willis and is killing unmarried girls so she can wear her wedding gown.  There is also a demon cat with telekinesis...and laser eyes. Of course.

    A very Troma-esque feel is present throughout the film, although without Troma's consistency. What is consistent is House's surreal tone and erratic pace. Everything from the painted backgrounds to the intentional humorous dancing skeleton (yes...dancing...also it has eyeballs) creates a lighthearted gitty feel that should rainbows and glitter pour out of a stab wound, you would hardly think to blink twice. Upon closer inspection you do begin to find some strong underlying themes that are very relevant to period specific Japanese cultural norms that continue to be a cornerstone of modern Japanese horror ie: ancestor vengeance, demonic infestation, familial discord etc. 

    Should you watch this. Long answer. House hits the target that modern comedy horror has tried and failed to hit time and again. With few exceptions (looking at you Sam Raimi), horror comedy relies heavily on physical comedy and tongue in cheek innuendo to entertain. What House does is throw everything you have never seen before at you and laughs at it regardless of your reaction. It does not apologize for anything. When was the last time you saw fingers without hands playing the piano right after their owner was dispatched. Or a haunted ghost aunt playing the light shoe routine to terrify a victim. Therein lies the treasure of House. Too few times do we see into a fever dream made life. This is, instead of a odd feature horror film, is the pinnacle of experimental film in full rainbow wrapped, kool-aid blood splashed, transmogrified watermelon glory. Short answer. Yes.

7/10 - demon laser-eyed cats