Poster of My Amityville Horror

My Amityville Horror

Documentary, Horror

Director: Eric Walter

Release Date: September 22, 2012

Where to Watch

My Amityville Horror is a documentary about an adult who lived in the legendary house as a child. I found My Amityville Horror frustrating to watch. I understand that filmmakers have to be respectful to have a subject’s cooperation, but it felt like all the alleged experts and filmmakers were more interested in pushing their own paranormal/supernatural agenda than addressing and nailing down the facts of his narrative. I’m not even saying that they should have questioned the validity of his statements, but every time he revealed something and did not address details, they let him go to the next sensational sentence. Your mom let you run away from home. Where did you go? He responded that he was happy to be anywhere other than home. Um, but how does a kid survive? He said that he was dropped off at a Catholic home for boys and exorcised while his parents were on the promotional interview circuit. Um, when, how, etc.? My Amityville Horror explicitly broadcasts Lutz’s allegations that his adopted father was abusive and heavily implies that he translated into something supernatural as a child, but in the end, fails to continue that line of thinking and examine the real horror-a bunch of strangers, adults, in their effort to uncover a supernatural evil missed a no less horrifying, but unfortunately ordinary evil. Instead My Amityville Horror continues to harp on the supernatural aspect of the story and apply no journalistic rigor whatsoever to an eyewitness’ account. Am I the only one who considered the possibility that there may be another aspect of sexual abuse in connection with the Catholic Church considering the timing of the events and some of his casual statements about the exorcism? I am definitely not an expert in this area, but something about Daniel Lutz’s mannerism reminded me of people that I’ve encountered in the past who have self-medicated and experienced…… I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I wish that he wasn’t further exploited for this film, and that instead of bullying the filmmakers into either being completely supportive and unquestioning, he could get some real healing and question himself. I actually believe in supernatural forces, but I think that his story may be more tragically unnatural rather than supernatural.

Stay In The Know

Join my mailing list to get updates about recent reviews, upcoming speaking engagements, and film news.