Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
House of Usher is a gay horror film based on the short story of the same name by Edgar Allen Poe.
After receiving a letter from his old friend, Roderick Usher (Frank Mentier), Victor Reynolds (Michael Cardelle) decides to pay him a visit. He arrives to find the old Usher estate in need of repair, and only Roberick, his sister, Madeline (Jaimyse Haft), and their houseboy, Markus (Jack Carlisle), living there. He also finds out that Madeline has been sick, and that Roderick has an aversion to sunlight and can’t leave the house.
Roderick and Victor consider renewing their romantic feelings for each other but decide against it. Victor decides to stay on for a while to help Roderick with Madeline and soon begins to have erotic visions. And with the visions come the terror.
Some Thoughts:
House of Usher is the type of movie where overalls are worn with only one shoulder strap fastened and nothing underneath, and nobody wears a shirt when raking leaves. It has the acting and production values of a made-for-TV movie, which is more than I’d expected.
The story flows well and the overall awfulness of it makes for a good time. Honestly, nobody about to watch this mess is expecting fine cinema. It also doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not, which I can appreciate. Poe published The Fall of the House of Usher in 1839, and the dialogue tries to be reminiscent of that time. Unfortunately, the actors can’t handle the lines, but I give them kudos for trying.
Of all the actors, Haft stands out. As Madeline, she gives a hammy performance, and her overacting adds some life to the film. And as much as I enjoyed seeing her, I do wish her performance was more over the top. I also think it would have been better if Madeline had been played by a drag queen.
Director David DeCoteau also made a gay version of The Pit and the Pendulum, which I’m interested in seeing.
The Final Verdict:
House of Usher is best viewed with a box of tissues, an old sock, or a towel in close proximity. If you can appreciate bad movies, this is a good time.