Horror fanatics are finally giving recognition to an underrated terror flick starring Aaron Paul. 16 years after its original release, The Last House on the Left has become somewhat of a streaming sensation on Max. Despite being one of his earlier roles, and only a supporting one at that, Breaking Bad fans are discovering that Aaron Paul had serious acting chops before Breaking Bad made him a global star.
Making its way to the platform’s top 10 movies, this goes to show that streaming services provide an excellent opportunity for older movies to garner a second wind. While Max (formerly HBO Max) is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery and typically prioritizes its own studio releases, this particular horror film is a Universal Pictures production, making its current popularity on the platform all the more impressive. So, let’s dive into this forgotten gem and break down how Aaron Paul steals the show.
From Critical Dismissal to Impressive Resurgence
The Last House on the Left faced a lukewarm reception from critics and audiences when it hit movie theaters in 2009. Seeing as it was a remake of Wes Craven‘s controversial 1972 original film – which was banned in some regions – diehard horror fans seemed too skeptical to give it a shot, and many traditional moviegoers perhaps didn’t want their stomachs twisted after hearing about the brutality of the original movie. Critically, it was dismissed by many as unnecessary, with some critics arguing it failed to capture the raw, unsettling power of Craven’s original “video nasty”.
Directed by Dennis Iliadis and starring Aaron Paul alongside Tony Goldwyn, Monica Potter, and Garret Dillahunt, this remake stays close in tone to the original, telling the harrowing story of parents who discover that the violent criminals who attacked their daughter have unknowingly taken refuge in their vacation home. Despite boasting strong performances from its cast, including Paul’s chilling portrayal of Francis, one of the group’s most sadistic killers, the film struggled to find its footing during its theatrical run. Critics found fault with its glossy production values compared to the gritty aesthetic of the original, and many horror purists felt it sanitized the raw brutality that made Craven’s version so disturbing.
However, as we’ve seen time and time again, streaming platforms have provided a second chance for films like The Last House on the Left to find their intended audience. Without the pressure of opening weekend box office numbers or critical consensus, viewers can discover these films organically and form their own opinions. The current streaming success suggests that perhaps the film was simply ahead of its time, or that audiences are now more receptive to its particular brand of revenge horror. And it can’t be denied that Breaking Bad fans are most likely eager to click on a title when they see Aaron Paul is attached, as exemplified with the popular Westworld TV series. But it’s not just Paul that’s the hot ticket here. This remake is tightly-paced, equally as disturbing, and arguably more brutal than the original in regards to what it was able to pull off with a larger budget.
Why Aaron Paul Is a Standout in the Movie
Aaron Paul’s eery rendition in The Last House on the Left arrived at a pivotal moment in his career when he was still largely unknown to mainstream audiences. Although Breaking Bad had premiered on AMC the year before, the show hadn’t yet achieved the cultural phenomenon status it would later gain when it landed on Netflix in the later seasons. This means that in 2009, Breaking Bad was still a relatively niche cable drama with modest viewership numbers. To that, Paul was far from being a household name.
So, at the time of The Last House on the Left‘s release, Paul was essentially an unknown actor taking on challenging material without the safety net of established fame. His decision to portray Francis, the film’s most despicable antagonist, demonstrated remarkable courage for someone still building his career. In the film, Paul delivers a performance that’s vastly different from the sympathetic yet troubled Jesse Pinkman that would eventually make him famous, showcasing a darker, more menacing side that few audiences had witnessed. However, it’s easy to see that Paul was drawing from the same dark aspects he pulled from for Breaking Bad.
From Pinkman to Francis – Troubled to Evil
Jesse Pinkman is what many would consider a loveable rogue. Sure, he makes mistakes, but he has a good heart underneath. Francis, on the other hand, is pure evil. No conscience and no morality. At the time, it may have been easy for audiences to bypass this and have the nuance fly over them. However, looking back, now we know what Aaron Paul is about, this chilling performance feels all the more impressive and eclectic.
Paul portrays Francis with a disturbing blend of childlike unpredictability and genuine menace. His character serves as the wild card among the group of criminals, displaying moments of shocking violence punctuated by an almost innocent confusion about the consequences of his actions. This complex portrayal required Paul to balance multiple emotional registers, from comedic relief to terrifying aggression, often within the same scene – a challenging feat for any actor, let alone one still establishing his reputation. So, although a supporting character in the film, it really feels like this is really Aaron Paul’s vehicle, even if it did take nearly two decades for people to take notice.
Follow Us
