Watch The House by the Cemetery

The House by the Cemetery is a horror film directed by Italian filmmaker, Lucio Fulci, released in 1981. The movie features an ensemble cast led by Catriona MacColl, Paolo Malco, and Ania Pieroni. The film was written by Fulci himself in collaboration with Giorgio Mariuzzo and Dardano Sacchetti. The story of the movie revolves around the Boyle family who moves into a creepy Victorian mansion in New England that the husband, Dr. Norman Boyle (Paolo Malco), inherited from a deceased colleague. The family consists of Norman Boyle, his wife Lucy (Catriona MacColl), and their young son, Bob (Giovanni Frezza). The mansion has a dark past, as it was once occupied by a notorious Dr. Freudstein, who was rumored to have murdered several people, including his wife and mistress.

As the family settles in, Bob starts exhibiting strange behavior and conversations with a mysterious girl named Mae, whom he claims is his friend. Soon, the family starts experiencing weird happenings in the house, such as seeing frightening apparitions, hearing strange noises, and discovering a hidden basement that seems to hold Dr. Freudstein's experiments. From this point on, the movie turns to pure horror as the family becomes embroiled in a fight for survival against a madman who has been living undetected in the basement for years.

The House by the Cemetery is full of classic horror tropes, such as haunted houses, creepy children, and a crazed killer, but Fulci manages to inject his signature flourishes to create a uniquely unsettling atmosphere. The film's visuals are quite impressive, with the director utilizing shadow and light to create an uneasy ambiance, heightened by eerie synth scores by Walter Rizzati, as well as sound effects that resonate. Additionally, the film includes several gruesome scenes and special effects, such as decapitation, impalement, and grotesque creature designs that make it a definitive classic in the horror genre.

The performances of the cast are commendable, with Catriona MacColl leading the way as the protective mother with a mix of fear and determination, while Paolo Malco provides a solid portrayal of the father trying to protect his family from danger. Special appreciation goes to Ania Pieroni, who plays the role of the babysitter, Ann, in the film, with great authenticity and empathy.

Overall, the House by the Cemetery is a chilling and haunting horror movie that has stood the test of time. It is a classic that every horror fan should try watching at least once. The film's ability to keep the viewer on edge while slowly revealing the secrets of the house and its former tenants is commendable, and the horror scenarios are undoubtedly among the most terrifying in cinematic history. The House by the Cemetery is a must-watch for anyone looking for a genuinely unsettling horror film with a good atmosphere, compelling story, and well-presented cinematography.

The House by the Cemetery is a 1981 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1.