Watch The House Where Evil Dwells

The House Where Evil Dwells is a horror movie from 1982 directed by Kevin Connor. The movie stars Edward Albert, Susan George, and Doug McClure as an American family who moves into a haunted house in Japan. The story itself is set in the 19th century and revolves around a samurai who comes home to find his wife having an affair with his best friend. After he kills them both, he takes his own life, thereby creating a curse that will haunt the house where it all took place for centuries to come.

Fast forward to modern-day Japan, and we find ourselves following the actions of the aforementioned American family. The father, Ted (Edward Albert), is a writer whose motivation for moving his family overseas is to find inspiration for his latest novel. Alongside him are his wife, Laura (Susan George), and their daughter, Amy (Amy Barrett). The family quickly settles into their new home, which is surrounded by serene gardens and ponds.

At first, everything seems idyllic, but soon strange things begin happening around the house. Doors close by themselves, objects move inexplicably, and the family begins to hear ghostly whispers in the night. These phenomena start to take its toll on the family, and they begin turning on each other.

As the plot unfolds, we discover that the house where the family is living has a tragic past, and its previous inhabitants, including the aforementioned samurai, were never at peace in this life or the next. In addition, we learn that the family has brought some of their own ghosts with them from America.

The House Where Evil Dwells is a movie that relies heavily on the power of suggestion rather than explicit gore. Though there are a few moments of violence, it's the anticipation of seeing what's coming next that makes the movie truly scary. The film's director, Kevin Connor, creates a haunting atmosphere in which every off-screen noise or mischievous creak can set the audience on edge.

Edward Albert, Susan George, and Doug McClure all give commendable performances, with McClure adding a touch of comic relief to the proceedings. As the tension builds, the actors' portrayal of their characters' increasing paranoia and fear is palpable, keeping the audience engrossed in the story.

The film's setting is also something to behold. Shot entirely on location in Japan, the movie's rustic house and surrounding countryside bring an air of authenticity to the setting. The gardens, ponds, and Japanese architecture all work together to create an otherworldly atmosphere that is both beautiful and menacing.

One thing that may detract from the film's suspense is the '80s synth-heavy score. While it does add to the overall eeriness of the movie, it also tends to take away from the tension created on screen by being a bit too much at times.

Overall, The House Where Evil Dwells is a classic horror movie that effectively captures the spirit of Japanese ghost stories while also telling a chilling tale of an American family's descent into madness. Though not without its flaws, this movie is a must-watch for fans of horror films that rely on atmosphere and suggestion rather than excessive violence.

The House Where Evil Dwells is a 1982 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.5.