Hell House

Released Oct 4, 2002

1h 25m

Documentary

List

94%

Tomatometer

34 Reviews

66%

Audience Score

2,500+ Ratings

Filmmaker George Ratliff explores the bizarre phenomenon of Halloween "hell houses": evangelical fright fests that use grisly skits to demonstrate the consequences of homosexuality, abortion, drug use and other condemned behaviors. This documentary chronicles a full performance season at the original hell house in Dallas -- which boasts an annual audience of more than 10,000 people -- and investigates whether its organizers go too far in their attempt to save souls.

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Critics Consensus

A fascinating, even-handed account of Hell Houses.

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Keith Uhlich

ToxicUniverse.com

Perhaps it is as Albert Einstein said, 'Before God we are all equally wise - and equally foolish.'

Rated: 4/5

May 25, 2003

Full Review

Marjorie Baumgarten

Austin Chronicle

Rated: 3/5

Mar 10, 2003

Full Review

V.A. Musetto

New York Post

Frightening, well-done documentary.

Rated: 3/4

Nov 15, 2002

Full Review

Steve Biodrowski

ESplatter

Even if you do not agree with the message that the Hell House haunt is purveying, you will find the Hell House documentary fascinating.

Jul 22, 2008

Full Review

Jason Gorber

Film Scouts

The tour of the house itself is a surreal mix of cheap gore and religious zeal. It's a penetrating look into life in rural Texas, and a thoroughly enjoyable, disturbing, and darkly-funny film to watch.

Rated: A-

Jun 21, 2007

Full Review

Jake Euker

F5 (Wichita, KS)

Rated: 4/5

Feb 18, 2007

Full Review

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Audience Member

Accurately portrays the sheer lunacy of some fundamentalist christians

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

Full Review

Audience Member

it's very interesting to watch all these fundamentalist churchgoers playing god while reinforcing their roots of bigotry,hate,judgmentalism and homophobia at the same time...I guess,in the end,THEY ARE THE FREAKS.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

ajale! aplicando las técnicas de conversión de los Sacerdotes Católicos que llegaron a América a mediados del siglo pasado¡? bueno, si funciono esa vez, porque no ahora?

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

incredibly sad and more frightening than any halloween horror movie

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

An open window to a church community's salvation-themed haunted house. The direction seems neutral in message and allows the audience to make its own determinations. Quite tame.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A documentary that looks at the "Hell House" performed annually in October by the youth members of Trinity Church (Assemblies of God) in Cedar Hill, Texas.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

Full Review

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George Ratliff

Director

Paige West

Executive Producer

Selina Lewis Davidson

Producer

Zachary Mortensen

Producer

George Ratliff

Producer

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Synopsis

Filmmaker George Ratliff explores the bizarre phenomenon of Halloween "hell houses": evangelical fright fests that use grisly skits to demonstrate the consequences of homosexuality, abortion, drug use and other condemned behaviors. This documentary chronicles a full performance season at the original hell house in Dallas -- which boasts an annual audience of more than 10,000 people -- and investigates whether its organizers go too far in their attempt to save souls.

Director: George Ratliff
Producer: Paige West
Production Co: GreenHouse Pictures, Mixed Greens Media, Cantina Pictures
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 4, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 19, 2017
Runtime: 1h 25m

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