Are You in the House Alone? Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		4.0

Are You in the House Alone? Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf June 7, 2021

An adaptation of a Richard Peck novel, 1978’s “Are You in the House Alone?” is a television movie that puts in some effort to come across as a horror event, tracking the increasing paranoia of a teenage girl as she’s stalked by a demented individual. The endeavor dials up the sinister score, inserts criminal POV shots for maximum slasher impact, and deals with creepy characters. While the picture has a certain level of suspense, it’s far more effective as an emotional journey for most of the participants, with writer Judith Parker (“L.A. Law”) taking special care to explore the cruelties and frustrations of a sexual assault, trying to ignore the film’s genre leanings for as long as she can.

Gail (Kathleen Beller) has been sexual assaulted during a babysitting job, soon recalling the events that led her to such an emotionally and physically devastating encounter. Doing well in school with photography interests, Gail has a new boyfriend in Steve (Scott Colomby), while her ex, E.K. (Randy Stumpf), remains jealous of her current arrangement. Soon after making it official with Steve, Gail is subjected to menacing phone calls and violent notes left in her locker, facing a possible stalker situation where no one is able to help.

“Are You in the House Alone?” has a classic set-up for a teen-centric horror movie, but the material is more interested in psychological spaces, presenting Gail as a nervous young woman facing hard stares from E.K., trying to make something romantic happen with Steve. The writing keeps the character surrounded by potential harm, with her photography teacher making sure to tell his student how “sexy” she is. There’s trouble at home as well, giving “Are You in the House Alone?” some interesting depth as Gail’s mother, Anne (Blythe Danner), and father, Neil (Tony Bill), are also struggling with personal issues, with the latter feeling emasculated after losing his job, resisting his wife’s return to the workforce. It’s a stew of unresolved feelings that makes the picture compelling, getting away from a strictly slasher-y type of offering, though a case of the creeps is encountered with threatening phone calls and hallway intimidation.

Are You in the House Alone? Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as "Newly restored in 2K from its 35mm interpositive," the AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation for "Are You in the House Alone?" secures the more intimate atmosphere of the feature. Close-ups deliver strong facial surfaces and period hairstyles, and costuming is fibrous, also surveying the 1970s in fashion. Outdoor visits, including a mid-movie trip to San Francisco, are dimensional. Colors are respectfully refreshed, with outfits offering compelling primaries, along with household decoration. Greenery is exact. Blacks are deep, preserving frame information as the story moves into nighttime activities. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in excellent condition, with some speckling and light scratches present.

Are You in the House Alone? Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 1.0 DTS-HD MA is a simple offering of dialogue exchanges, which show some age but remain appreciable, with adequate intelligibility. Scoring cues support dramatics with clear instrumentation and comfortable levels, also dipping into horror-style cues with peeping sequences.

Are You in the House Alone? Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Creating Musical Themes" (19:42, HD) is an interview with composer Charles Bernstein, who explores his career at the time of the "Are You in the House Alone?" production, recalling a terribly busy 1978, building on 12 years of experience in the industry. The interviewee details older methods of work during this time, writing his ideas down on paper. Tone choices and themes are analyzed, with Bernstein attempting to create an ominous mood for the picture. He also remembers a brief scoring session for the production, and remains proud of the work.

• Audio Essay (12:28, HD) features film historian Amanda Reyes.

Are You in the House Alone? Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Are You in the House Alone?" abandons suspense for the third act, which transforms into a condemnation of the legal system, which favors a victim- blaming approach to cases of sexual assault. The film doesn't reach a fever pitch of anger, but it does challenge ideas of justice and social standing. Perhaps horror fans expecting something more in line with "When a Stranger Calls" are going to be disappointed the T.V. movie, but "Are You in the House Alone?" goes for bigger ideas on trauma, shame, and denial, making for an interesting exploration of the female experience during the 1970s.