Quella strana casa

Better then you would expect picture about a two teenagers who have lost both of their parents. They are shipped off to their grandparents house to live, but the sudden arrival of a mysterious woman eventually results in an outbreak of violence. Twisty, complicated thriller with its fair share of surprises throughout. The movie is well plotted and thought out, but is negated by routine performances. Still, very suspenseful and thrilling at times.

Rated R; Violence, Adult Themes.

'Grandmother's House' is a mystery thriller about to kids going to live with their Grandparents, who are very happy to welcome them into their big home. However, the kids soon realize things are not what they seem.

I enjoyed the characters and the sense of mystery. The film also features good performances, especially the young boy, David (Eric Foster). 'Grandmother's House' is unpredictable and there's a constant eerie feeling. One can't help but always expect the worst. The film hits us with quite a few surprises! I must be honest, I enjoyed this film almost until the very end - until the film's final moments. The twist ending is not very clear (in fact, I had to read up about it to fully understand it), and ends so abruptly, it almost looks as if they ran out of production time or money. The ending could and should have been better explained. The viewer isn't even given time to process the information he's just been given. By the time you understand the twist ending, very little about the movie makes any sense. What a pity.

Would I watch it again? No.

Poor David and Lynn! Their father, the only parent they have left, has just died. As a token of their sympathy and concern, Lynn's and David's grandparents allow the kiddies to stay with them. But little do the kids know, their grandparents are actually bloodthirsty killers! ...Or are they? Who cares. I don't, and you won't either. Trust me. This has got to be one of the most painfully uninteresting movies I've ever had the discontentment of seeing. Even with the disgraceful attempts at shocks and unnecessarily complex and nonsensical plot twists, I still wasn't amused. The only thing that kept me watching was an insightful quote made by a boy talking to David: "If I had a sister like that, I'd boff her." Did somebody get paid to write this?!??

Wasn't expecting much from this, to be honest. Discovered it by chance on Prime Video.

I know this genre has been well used, but I found the film to be an enjoyable. Can't believe that I'd never seen it before, as it's some 33 years old now. Yes it does still stand the test of time.

Basically creepy grandparents, living on a creepy farm.

I'd recommend you watch this, if you've not done so already.

My review was written in March 1989 after watching the film on Academy video cassette.

"Grandmother's House" (alternately "Grandma's House") is a clever nailbiter, providing suspenseful variations on a gothic thriller theme. Pic should get a good reaction in the video rental market, bypassing theatrical release.

When attractive youngsters Eric Foster and Kim Valentine go to live with their grandparents following their dad's funeral, Foster immediately becomes suspicious of the old folks' behavior.

He's soon convinced that kindly looking Ida Lee and Len Lesser are murderous crazies preying on passers-by. Cinematographer Peter Jensen's script takes an excellent turn midway when Foster frees a mystery woman (Brinke Stevens) seemingly held in bondage by his grandfolks and she immediately tries to kill him. She turns out to be the kids' long-gone mom (they thought she was dead) whom grandfolks were hiding.

Hectic final rel is loaded with switcheroos, including a surprise incest subplot and morbid final twist. Tightly directed by Peter Rade, pic definitely will keep the viewer guessing.

Both Foster and Nastassja Kinski-esue Valentine score in the lead roles, while Len Lesser is properly ambiguous as granddad. Usually a decorative beauty, Binke Stevens is scary in the character role of mom.