The horror movie where the house is cursed is most likely The Amityville Horror. This classic horror film was released in 1979 and is based on the purportedly true story of the Lutz family, who moved into a house in Amityville, New York in 1975, only to flee in terror 28 days later. The movie portrays the home as being haunted and cursed due to a mass murder that took place there the year before the Lutzes moved in. The Amityville Horror has become one of the most famous “haunted house” movies in horror cinema history.
What is the story behind The Amityville Horror house?
The Amityville Horror house refers to 112 Ocean Avenue, a suburban home on the south shore of Long Island, New York. On November 13, 1974, Ronald DeFeo Jr. murdered six members of his family in the house. DeFeo shot his parents and four of his siblings with a rifle while they were sleeping in their beds.
One year later, in December 1975, George and Kathy Lutz purchased the house along with their three children. They were aware of the mass murder that had taken place but claimed they were not bothered by it. However, they fled the house after living there for only 28 days. The Lutzes claimed the house was haunted by a violent, demonic presence. They reported experiencing paranormal phenomena such as levitation, voices, and green slime oozing from the walls.
When did The Amityville Horror movie come out?
The Amityville Horror movie was released in theaters on July 27, 1979. It was directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starred James Brolin as George Lutz and Margot Kidder as Kathy Lutz. The screenplay was based on the 1977 book of the same name by Jay Anson, which purported to tell the true story of the Lutz family’s experience in the Amityville house.
What happens in The Amityville Horror movie?
The Amityville Horror shows the Lutz family moving into the home and soon encountering strange and terrifying occurrences:
- Slime oozes from the walls
- Swarms of flies gather in the house despite it being winter
- Pig-like red eyes peer through the windows
- A secret “red room” hidden behind a wall
- George is plagued by nightmares and senses an evil presence
- Kathy floats above her bed and is levitated down the stairs by an unseen force
- Their daughter develops an imaginary friend named Jodie who acts violent
The Lutzes become increasingly tormented and disturbed by the paranormal events until they finally flee the house, convinced it is inhabited by a demonic spirit.
The Real History Behind the Amityville Horror
Did the Lutzes really experience paranormal events?
The Lutzes claimed all of the events in Jay Anson’s book and the film were true. However, there has been much debate over the accuracy of their story:
- Some paranormal investigators believe the Lutzes exaggerated or fabricated events
- Neighbors reported the Lutzes did not display any odd behavior or appear frightened while living there
- No other residents of the house have reported experiencing paranormal activity
- Critics argue the Lutzes made up the story for publicity and profit
Ultimately there is no definitive evidence the Lutzes actually experienced a haunting or possession in the house. While they maintained their story was true, many remain skeptical.
What really happened with the DeFeo murders?
The DeFeo murders that occurred in the house in 1974 before the Lutzes moved in were undisputedly real.
Victim | Relationship | Age |
---|---|---|
Ronald DeFeo Sr. (father) | 43 | |
Louise DeFeo (mother) | 42 | |
Dawn DeFeo (sister) | 18 | |
Allison DeFeo (sister) | 13 | |
Marc DeFeo (brother) | 12 | |
John DeFeo (brother) | 9 |
Ronald DeFeo Jr., the eldest son, murdered his entire family with a .35 calibre Marlin rifle. He shot them all while they slept in their beds during the early morning hours of November 13.
DeFeo’s story changed over time. He first claimed a mafia hitman had committed the killings, but eventually confessed. He was convicted of six counts of second-degree murder and is still imprisoned. The motive remains unclear, but speculations include a volatile temper, mental illness, and drug use.
Impact and Legacy of The Amityville Horror
How did The Amityville Horror influence pop culture?
The Amityville Horror had a major influence on American pop culture and the horror genre:
- One of the highest-grossing independent films of its time
- Inspired endless books, films, and documentaries about the Amityville house
- Introduced the creepy paraphernalia of haunted house movies like bleeding walls, secret rooms, spirits leaving physical traces
- Image of the infamous Amityville house became iconic
- Proved stories based on paranormal events and occult phenomena could be mainstream successful
- “Based on a true story” horror was legitimized
- Showed haunted house stories still fascinated modern audiences
The Amityville Horror demonstrated that both audiences and Hollywood had an appetite for horror films dealing with supposed real-life hauntings and paranormal events.
How many Amityville Horror movies have been made?
The success of the original 1979 film spawned a franchise of sequels and remakes:
Film | Year |
---|---|
The Amityville Horror | 1979 |
Amityville II: The Possession | 1982 |
Amityville 3-D | 1983 |
Amityville 4: The Evil Escapes | 1989 |
The Amityville Curse | 1990 |
Amityville 1992: It’s About Time | 1992 |
Amityville: A New Generation | 1993 |
Amityville Dollhouse | 1996 |
The Amityville Horror (remake) | 2005 |
The Amityville Haunting | 2011 |
My Amityville Horror | 2012 |
Amityville: The Awakening | 2017 |
In total there have been 12 Amityville films, including sequels, remakes, and found footage-style movies. The longevity of the franchise illustrates the lasting cultural fascination with the original Amityville Horror story.
Where is the real Amityville house today?
The infamous house that was the basis for The Amityville Horror still stands at 112 Ocean Avenue in Amityville, New York. It is a private residence that has changed owners several times since the Lutzes fled in the 1970s.
Subsequent owners have reported no paranormal events while living in the house. Real estate listings for the home make no mention of its macabre history. The Long Island waterfront property last sold for $605,000 in 2017 and appears an ordinary suburban home from the outside.
Tourists still flock to see the house, sometimes taking pictures or trying to get inside. However, the current owners discourage trespassers and keep the address private. The Amityville Horror legacy means the house will likely remain an object of fascination for horror fans.
Conclusion
The Amityville Horror brought the haunted house story to the mainstream in a major way in 1979. While there are doubts about the Lutzes’ claims of experiencing paranormal phenomena, the horrific DeFeo family murders were real. The terrifying events portrayed in the original movie sparked numerous sequels and cemented the legend of the Amityville home as one of the world’s most infamous hauntings. More than 40 years later, the unassuming suburban house still attracts attention from horror enthusiasts looking to get a glimpse of where it all started. The chilling tale of The Amityville Horror continues to haunt popular culture.