I once tried to defy fate, and I failed. The Red House comes from director Delmer Daves, who also adapted the screenplay based on a novel by George Agnew Chamberlain. The film features Edward G. Robinson, Judith Anderson, Lon McCallister, Rory Calhoun, Allene Roberts, and Julie London. Miklós Rózsa composed the music, and Bert Glennon was in charge of cinematography. Pete Morgan (Robinson) and his sister Ellen (Anderson) attempt to keep a secret about a house painted red deep within the woods from Meg (Roberts), their adopted teenage daughter... What shadows hide? A blend of horror thriller and noir fairytale, The Red House is difficult to categorize precisely. This is actually alright because over time it has gained recognition among film noir enthusiasts despite having difficulty connecting with modern audiences who have only seen low-quality public domain versions. Now available on DVD and Blu-ray (though the Blu-ray doesn’t offer a significant improvement in quality compared to the DVD), Delmer Daves' film can be appreciated for its atmosphere. The beginning is pleasant, showing beautiful scenery, youthful romance, and the sounds of nature. Then Pete Morgan appears in an unusual shot, and from that point forward everything else feels either troubled by the present or haunted by the past. Any relationship not involving Meg, who is inquisitive and exploring her sexuality, seems off. The Morgans—the brother and sister burdened with guilt, regret, and unspoken desires—young Nath Storm (McCallister) and his mother, where he appears to be in control, a prolonged farewell kiss, and the overtly sexualized Tibby (London), who doesn’t recognize the danger of being caught between Nath and the brooding older boy Teller (Calhoun)—all contribute to this feeling. Teller has been given free rein by Pete Morgan to patrol the woods like a shotgun-wielding guardian of its secrets. Enter at your own risk. The director makes sure everyone is apprehensive about the woods, and when the story shifts there, an unsettling mood permeates everything. Glennon uses dramatic lighting and shadows, while Rózsa provides disturbing musical cues (that theremin really gets under your skin). With the atmosphere firmly established, we understand that it’s a place of emotional conflict, pain, and psychological damage. The red house itself, and its surrounding buildings, are where dark fairy tales began—places that demonstrate you can't outrun your history. Ox Head Wood! The film’s main issue is that the core problem becomes clear fairly early on. Viewers looking for a mystery to be solved or even hoping for supernatural elements might find it drags on longer than necessary. However, as a whole, it delivers good suspense and unease, with its noir touches being especially appealing to fans of that genre. The acting is strong; Robinson portrays anguish and fear exceptionally well, while Daves, Glennon, and Rózsa demonstrate the best of their talents. It’s an enjoyable film to watch by the fire on a cold evening. Pair it with The Spiral Staircase or Night of the Hunter—though it may not be as good as either of those films—it's more than adequate (perfect) as a starter. 7.5/10

Source on TMDB