Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘House of Purgatory’

Written by Scott Edwards

If I, had it my way, I would make sure that we would have a year-round Halloween, not just because it is the coolest holiday, but because I love the events surrounding it. When else can you explore creepy corn mazes in the dark, go on a haunted hay wagon ride and get your pants scared off in a haunted house?  There is no other time sadly and I would love to see that change, because not everyone has the time to celebrate Halloween within the short month that it comes around. Just the thought of having these events around year-round make me a bit giddy and I would love to see someone keep something Halloween related open every day of the year and see how the rest of the world reacts. 
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While being bored at their Halloween party, Ryan and Nate have a great idea and want to bring their lady friends along for the scares. Hearing about a haunted house that is so scary that they will give a prize to anyone that makes it all the way through, the boys firmly believe this could make for some serious fun. Convincing Melanie and Amber to come with them, even though they do not believe that the haunted house exists, the boys are ready for the time of their lives.

Driving near the outskirts of town and not seeing anything for miles, the group spots a sign for the House of Purgatory. Not knowing if this is the haunted house from the stories, they decide to stop and check it out. Talking to the ticket taker and finding out that this is the house they are looking for, they are given a surprise, free admission on Halloween. But there is something strange about the layout of the haunted house, as they start at the top and work their way down the levels. Finding an odd-looking shack that must be the entrance, the group gets up their nerve and decide to step in and face their greatest fears.

While the first level does not scare them at all, since it consists of just a mysterious photograph and someone in a raincoat following them, the second level adds some scares to the mix. Getting freaked out by what appears to be the dead coming back to life and a woman begging for help, the third level changes their lives forever. Seeming to be back outside, the group follows the light in the distance, but quickly they start to get separated from each other. As Amber and Ryan are taken on their own paths, Nate promises to take care of Melanie as she is starting to lose her mind. As the night moves on and they discover a lack of doors leading to freedom, everyone is forced to face their greatest fears and while it is different for everyone, it is just another night for the haunted house to feed on fresh souls.

I have been eyeing this movie on my list for months and while it did sound like a haunted house movie, it also sounded like a game show which kind of turned me off. I’m sorry that it did, because it is nothing like a game show, it is a fight for survival while being taken to Hell to face your greatest fears. There is something about mind screw movies like this that I really like, and I think it is the reactions to their own deepest fears for each character. There is something to be said about facing your fears and while some of us are able to get past them, many of us will keep them tucked away for as long as we can so they never see the light of day again. With some creepy haunted house visuals, a pick your path to fear handoff, a skull man that appears in everyone’s fears, and an awesome, original opening to the movie that I have never seen before, it really is a fun little movie that will leave you wondering how much is your soul really worth on Halloween night? Stay Scared.

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