The Last House on the Left
The Last House on the Left

The Last House on the Left

1972Movie84 minEnglish

On the eve of her 17th birthday, Mari and friend Phyllis set off from her family home to attend a rock concert in the city. Attempting to score some drugs on the way, the pair run afoul of a group of vicious crooks, headed up by the sadistic Krug.

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Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes50%
Google Users72%
Director: Wes CravenGenres: Horror, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

Two teenage girls, Mari and Phyllis, embark on a journey to attend a rock concert in New York City. Their trip takes a terrifying turn when they are abducted by a gang of violent criminals led by the sadistic Krug. What begins as a kidnapping escalates into a brutal ordeal of torture and assault, with the girls desperately fighting for their survival.

Critical Reception

Wes Craven's debut feature is a notorious and brutal exploitation film that shocked audiences with its graphic violence and disturbing themes. While critically panned upon release for its nihilistic tone and extreme content, it has since gained a cult following and is recognized as a seminal work in the home invasion subgenre, influencing countless filmmakers.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its raw, unflinching depiction of violence and its effectiveness as a disturbing horror experience.
  • Criticized for its excessive gore, gratuitous sadism, and exploitation of violence.
  • Considered a landmark film in the 'rape and revenge' subgenre, though often debated for its artistic merit versus shock value.

Google audience: Audiences are divided, with many finding the film to be a terrifying and impactful, albeit extremely unpleasant, viewing experience. Some appreciate its raw intensity and historical significance in horror cinema, while others are repelled by its graphic nature and bleak outlook.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The film was shot on a very low budget, reportedly around $90,000, and Wes Craven himself worked on the editing and sound design due to financial constraints.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
tmdb17996075

tmdb17996075

While a lot of people seem to praise this film as a horror gem, I myself consider it more like a drama… a mildly gruesome drama, but certainly not horror. I can enjoy horror films that don't contain some of the expected traits, like: jumps,...