Tons of movies try to pull off the vibe of classic 1980s horror movies but it’s not as easy as dropping in some neon spandex and sprawling synthesizers. One film that does a fantastic job of capturing the “Me Decade” horror aesthetic is The House of the Devil (2009) and you can stream it free right now on Tubi.
If you’re in the mood for slow-burn suspense with serious ’80s horror vibes, The House of the Devil should be at the top of your list. Directed by Ti West, this retro thriller ditches cheap scares in favor of creeping dread and pitch-perfect atmosphere. It’s a masterclass in tension, channeling cult classics like Halloween and When a Stranger Calls with a modern edge.
The story centers on Samantha, a broke college student who accepts a mysterious babysitting gig in an eerie old mansion. What starts as a quiet night quickly unravels into something much darker. With its grainy visuals, vintage soundtrack and escalating unease, this one sticks with you-and it’s streaming for free on Tubi.
This horror flick is gory, grim and shockingly true to its vintage setting.
From the opening credits, The House of the Devil sets the tone with a ridiculously accurate and detailed retro aesthetic. It doesn’t just take place in the 1980s — it feels like it was made then. The grainy film texture, era-appropriate costumes and hair are absolutely perfect. It’s set to a curated soundtrack with tracks including The Fixx’s One Thing Leads To Another and The Greg Kihn Band’s The Break Up Song. The movie doesn’t just feel like it’s dressing up in ’80s tropes but like it was birthed from that time.
The movie was shot on 16mm film, creating its specialized throwback look. It lifts cinematography straight from ’80s filmmakers along with a slew of other techniques to evoke classics of the era. Everything, down to the credits, is period accurate and I appreciated all the attention given to making sure everything matches, down to the cups at the pizza restaurant seen early in the movie.
The Ulmans have a secret reason why they hired Sam to watch “Mother.”
Sam realizes something is amiss when she stumbles upon proof that the family who hired her for the babysitting job isn’t the same one in the photos. Realizing she might have been deceived, she attempts a 911 call but she’s already eaten a piece of tainted pizza. She passes out just as she gets a glimpse of what exactly it is she’s been hired to “babysit.”
The movie’s path is fraught with grisly moments (just ask Sam’s best friend Megan, played by Barbie director Greta Gerwig), with believably gruesome practical effects that unsettle and chill to the bone. The hideous “Mother,” who Sam discovers is connected to her original job, is an example of ’80s filmmaking that would have made audiences sick to their stomachs.
Sam’s friend Megan is not pleased at all by the situation at the Ulmans’ house.
Without spoiling the climax, The House of the Devil maintains a gnawing, upsetting sense of dread throughout its runtime. It isn’t afraid to use themes of isolation, the unknown and betrayal to keep you on the edge of your seat, which I appreciated on my first viewing and only grew to love more with each rewatch. As horrific as the story is, I firmly believe that this movie wouldn’t have been possible without its commitment to staying true to the era that inspired it.
If you’re looking for a horror movie that doesn’t rely on cheap jump scares or the overwrought parable “sex is bad” with a group of teens being picked off one by one, The House of the Devil is one of the best flicks you could put on your Halloween viewing list. It brings the golden years of ’80s horror to life in believable, decadent ways that’ll have you squirming in your seat. I’m still unpacking the gagworthy climax and I bet you will be too.
