When a New York couple finds a listing for a cheap sublet in the East Village, they quickly sign the lease. Their real estate broker gives them a tour of their new home, including the eat-in kitchen and the rooms of oddities, all while filling them in on the apartment’s haunted history. That’s not a big deal; they’re all used to terrible roommates, rowdy neighbors, the city sounds, and, more importantly, ghosts aren’t real. This eVil Sublet is a dream. No silly ghost will chase them off anytime soon. Maybe they’ll do anything to keep this place. This horror comedy’s laughs are unending while delivering an Amityville-esque haunting. Come for the laughs, and stay forever in a dream home to die for.
The listing
eVil Sublet follows a happy couple, Alex and Ben (Jennifer Leigh Houston and Charley Tucker), who stumble upon the listing for the sublet on a flyer. The couple is just the right fit for this charming, fully-furnished, 3-bedroom apartment with high ceilings, a shared garden, and an eat-in kitchen. Despite the murders and the unsolved mysteries, there’s a wealth of treasures left behind by previous tenants, and the rent is only $2000 a month! What more can you ask for?
Upon moving in, it’s evident that something’s amiss. The haunted house tropes are twisted into fun and hysterical points, and the open discussion of what not to do doesn’t deter them. Alex is more accepting of the supernatural and willing to put up with it for the rent. Furthermore, the apartment is charming, and whoever spent days on the decor is a genius.
Lest we forget, the husband’s gaslighting is on point for the haunting, but he does try to help. However, Alex’s visions, the ghosts, flickering lights, and moving objects escalate until she seeks help. She finds a fantastic psychic who also finds her thanks to his visions. Together, they learn of the apartment’s history and want to try remedying the haunting because this is prime real estate. Their friends are silly, and including Alex’s ex-wife as a permanent fixture in her life makes for some fun situations. Finally, we are left to follow this downward spiral of denial, exhaustion, and determination to endure the worst situations to keep their affordable apartment.
The amenities
So, we live in a haunted apartment, but there are so many perks. First, the location is ideal. I love real settings and seeing neighborhoods, shops, and Coney Island! It’s one of the reasons I love The New York Ripper as much as I do. The setting brings a more realistic quality to the film. Also, the real estate broker, Parker (Ashley Bufkin), and the tour were nice. She really sold the place, and it set the tone. Additionally, the ghosts and the haunting are fantastically entertaining. The apartment is incredibly detailed, and I couldn’t help but stare at every oddity, the pictures on the walls, and the 200 ghostly images hidden throughout the film. Those faces are of the crowdfunders; director Allan Piper wanted to thank them personally with their inclusion as ghosts in the film.
The cast is uniquely perfect for this group of unusual characters. I especially love psychics; Lorne (Stephen Mosher) is my favorite character. I want to be his friend and go ghost hunting with him in all the strangest places in NYC. Along with him, Sally Struthers made her full-length horror debut and is disturbingly superb as the mysterious and kooky leaseholder of the evil sublet. Honestly, she’s a little too real. Plus, I appreciated the older (my age) people who usually aren’t the focus of horror comedies or most of the genre. Moreover, I love celebrating a cast with LGBTQIA+ characters played by LGBTQIA+ actors.
The annoying neighbors
I will probably always mention this for all comedy horror movies: please check the runtime. One hour and 45 minutes isn’t too bad, but I honestly feel 90 minutes could have been perfect. In particular, the haunting goes on for too long. Nothing else is happening. It just drags when we have established what’s going on. I felt it needed to reach a conclusion quicker.
Alex (Jennifer Leigh Houston) is shown suffering through this haunting and her mental health day after day. It almost felt like the film might lose its way, but thankfully, we have a great finale. It’s silly; a few surprises are left to excite us, and we have a unique ending for our New Yorkers.
Would you rent this sublet?
I may not jump at the chance to sign this lease, but I recommend you take a tour and enjoy this delightfully bonkers comedy with a murderous haunting to boot. Enjoy the over-the-top dramatic characters and the murderous ghosts trying to scare the garbage out of them while plotting their murderous demise. I would stay in a haunted house, I would definitely try to commune with the spirits, and I bet with a good limpia we could all live together in harmony. Watch eVil Sublet for hilarious antics, creepy haunting, and deranged ghosts.
