The Sorg family is rumored to have taken part in an uncountable amount of murders, cult rites, and cannibalistic activities for years in the rural areas of Pennsylvania. The local law enforcement proves to be quite useless in apprehending the most violent of the family’s lineage, J.R. Sorg. In fact, they’re not even sure whether or not he exists. The only people sure of J.R.’s existence are his victims, women captured to be the hosts of demonic children.

House Of Carnage comes from director Ryan Cavalline (Dead Body Man). The film sports some good camera work, decrepit locations, and disorienting editing. What the film lacks is confident direction (although there are a few inspired moments) and a claustrophobic atmosphere that many scenes beg for. I dig the eerie and invasive soundtrack and there are some nastily satisfying moments of gore along the way (bye bye fingers!).

Similarities to characters and situations in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 (look for the inept Chop Top impersonation) are bound to be noticed by the seasoned horror movie fan but House Of Carnage veers off into its own territory by introducing an eyebrow-raising supernatural theme into the mix (demon babies, y’all). The film lost me during the seemingly endless torture sequence in the middle of the movie. A bunch of screaming, shouting, and more screaming in the broad daylight of an abandoned house didn’t achieve their desired effect on me. Neither terrifying nor disturbing, this whole sequence is merely annoying.

Viewers familiar (and patient) with Indie horror films will no doubt find the overall experience of House Of Carnage quite gratifying with its willingness to spill blood and bare female flesh. Brief but fun appearances by Syn Devil (Vampire Sisters) and Darla Enlow (Toe Tags) are quite welcome. When all is said and done, House Of Carnage has some very good things going for it with only the one sequence that drags it down in the middle. Some definitely unsettling moments await you even though the burlap sack J.R. Sorg wears looks more itchy than scary.

DVD Stuff

House Of Carnage is presented here in full frame. Both video and audio quality are extremely good with deep and bright colors and clear audio. The extras on this disc include audio commentary from director Ryan Cavalline, a public service announcement from Syn Devil, and a behind-the-scenes featurette on the set of House Of Carnage. I rather enjoyed the behind-the-scenes feature on this disc. It shows the crew at work (minor injuries and all) and there are brief interviews with the cast. I don’t know, I just liked it.