While Mark Rosman’s The House on Sorority Row is widely considered a stellar slasher amongst fans, it was released a year after the initial boom of the sub-genre.
Luckily, with the event of DVD and Blu-Ray, it has been re-appraised and rediscovered by many and has taken its mantle on many people’s Mount Rushmore’s of slashers.
Location
The attic of the sorority house.
What happens?
Kate is being chased by the masked killer through the sorority house, and makes it to the attic, seemingly safe. She leaves a jack in the box by the attic door, to inform her of any intruder coming up to get her, but little does she know they are already there.
Whilst backing away, pointing her gun to the entrance, we see a full-size jester costume in the corner. Suddenly the Jester comes to life, with Eric, now wielding a hammer, taking a swing towards her and missing.
Katherine finds a doll, tears the head off and stabs Eric in the chest with the sharp end. She stabs him in the face twice more before he falls through the attic door, to his demise.
What Katherine doesn’t see is Eric opening his eyes one last time before the screen cuts to black.
Why is it so effective?
On first watch, it is certainly the initial shock of the Jester coming to life, and then realising it is Eric who has been waiting for Katherine in the attic.
Secondly, the Jester costume is genuinely quite creepy, plus when Eric attacks there seems to be a lifelessness behind his eyes so shows he can’t be reasoned with. This motif you feel is borrowed from The Shape in Halloween.
The scene is also a little longer, as Katherine is already on the run, finding one of her friend’s heads in the toilet bowl before heading up to the attic for salvation.
Where can I watch the film?
The House on Sorority Row is now available on Blu Ray from 88 Films.
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