Don't Go in the House
A traumatized factory worker's obsession with fire mutates into a grim campaign of abduction and arson-fueled murder.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- grim
- chilling
- nihilistic
- late night horror marathon
- cult horror viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as a crude, excessively violent, and psychologically grim horror movie, though some later assessments found its ugliness and child-abuse themes effective.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Donny's childhood punishment by burning and his mother's continuing influence directly motivate his adult killings.
The film presents serial murder, fire, and mental deterioration through a grim low-budget exploitation aesthetic.
After his mother's death, Donny hears her voice and experiences delusions that she remains alive.
Donny's house is dominated by memories of maternal punishment and the recurring voice he attributes to his mother.
Films like Don't Go in the House, and why
Psycho
psychological horror centered on a disturbed son, an abusive mother, and a murderous maternal fixation
Carrie
psychological horror shaped by childhood abuse, religious trauma, and retaliatory violence
Willard
grim exploitation horror about an alienated, mentally disturbed outsider who becomes a killer
The Texas Chain Saw Massacre
1970s American psychological horror with graphic violence, social isolation, and a bleak serial-killer premise
Movie Details
- Director
- Joseph Ellison
- Release Date
- 1979-11-01
- Runtime
- 82 min
- Rating
- 5.7 / 10 (133)
Cast
- Dan Grimaldi
- Robert Carnegie
- Ruth Dardick
- Charles Bonet
- Bill Ricci
- Johanna Brushay
- Ralph D. Bowman
- Mary Ann Chinn
- Susan Smith
- Darcy Shean
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Don't Go in the House about?
- A traumatized factory worker's obsession with fire mutates into a grim campaign of abduction and arson-fueled murder.
- What is Don't Go in the House like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Don't Go in the House as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Don't Go in the House violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Don't Go in the House as graphic.
- What did critics think of Don't Go in the House?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as a crude, excessively violent, and psychologically grim horror movie, though some later assessments found its ugliness and child-abuse themes effective.
- Which films are like Don't Go in the House?
- Films with a similar feel include Psycho, Carrie, Willard, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre.
- How long is Don't Go in the House?
- Don't Go in the House runs 82 minutes.
- Where can I watch Don't Go in the House?
- In United States, Don't Go in the House streams on Amazon Prime Video, Screambox Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Midnight Pulp Amazon Channel.
