The trope of a group of friends/family/whatever disappearing, one by one, into the shadows of a haunted house is, well, a trope. Be it ghosts, ghouls, demons, or even the house itself (or even the people being “haunted” actually, unknowingly, being the haunters), be it shot superbly or via security cameras, be it about a young family trying to get a fresh start or a group of young lovers trying to you know; chances are, if it’s got humans and a creepy house, it’s been done before.

Perhaps this is why House is so damn refreshing, then. Granted, the film is by no means new — or even recent. Released in Japan in 1977 to but a few less-than-positive reviews, the film gradually picked up steam following director Nobuhiko Obayashi being awarded the 1978 Blue Ribbon Award for Best New Director and a swath of positive press after its American release. Described as a “true fever dream” by The New York Times, House blends horror, comedy, striking visuals, bizarre special effects, and a penchant for the absurd and produces something akin to a bad trip in Pee Wee’s Playhouse.

Following a girl named Gorgeous and her group of equally wackily named friends (Kung Fu, Fantasy, and Melody, to name a few) as they try to enjoy a summer trip to her aunt’s house, House manages to be many, many wonderful things at once.

Featuring Obayashi in the person, this event is not to be missed!

House
1977
dir. Nobuhiko Obayashi
88 min.