The Untold Truth of ‘The Amityville Horror’

Article Summary

The Amityville Horror is a famous horror film based on the true story of Ronald J. DeFeo Jr., who murdered his family in their Amityville home in 1974.

The Lutz family moved into the house after a year and alleged experiencing paranormal phenomena, raising doubts about the credibility of the haunting. However, the real terror stems from the actual murders perpetrated by DeFeo, creating an enduring enigma that has fascinated audiences for many years.

The horror genre has a rich history of movies based on real-life events, as there is nothing more chilling than the evil that exists in reality. Films like Psycho, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, and Silence of the Lambs all draw inspiration from the infamous killer Ed Gein. The Conjuring and Annabelle movies, on the other hand, take their stories from the experiences shared by demonologists Ed and Lorraine Warren. However, when it comes to the most renowned horror film based on true events, none can surpass the 1979 terrifying masterpiece, The Amityville Horror.

This movie gained such immense popularity that it spawned a series of forgettable sequels and even a 2005 remake starring Ryan Reynolds, but none could replicate the impact of the original. Featuring notable actors such as James Brolin, Margot Kidder, and Rod Steiger, The Amityville Horror became a major box office success due to its "too terrifying to be real" narrative. The movie draws inspiration from Jay Anson's book, also titled The Amityville Horror, which was published in 1977. The book itself garnered significant attention but was also mired in controversy, with claims and lawsuits surrounding its authenticity.

So what lies behind the true tale of The Amityville Horror? In essence, it revolves around a family consisting of a husband, wife, and children, who decide to settle into a residence where a previous inhabitant had brutally murdered his own kin. They swiftly discover that the dwelling is plagued by supernatural entities, putting their lives at risk. While opinions may vary on the existence of otherworldly elements, there is no doubt regarding the pivotal incident that spurred the events of this chilling story.

The Amityville Horror

A family consisting of newlyweds and their three children relocate to a spacious residence that was the site of a gruesome mass murder. They soon encounter bizarre and unexplainable occurrences, which profoundly impact all individuals who reside in or visit the house.

Release Date: July 26, 1979

Director: Stuart Rosenberg

Cast: James Brolin, Margot Kidder, Rod Steiger, Don Stroud, Murray Hamilton, John Larch

Rating: R

Main Genre: Horror

The Story of 'The Amityville Horror' Starts With the DeFeo Murders

The name of the movie derives from a real-life incident that took place in Amityville, New York, a town situated on Long Island. Back on November 13, 1974, a 23-year-old individual named Ronald J. DeFeo Jr. gruesomely murdered six members of his own family in a house strikingly reminiscent of the famous one depicted in the film. As his relatives peacefully slept, Ronald Jr. callously ended the lives of his parents, Ronald Sr. and Louise, as well as his younger siblings, Dawn, Allison, Marc, and John.

At first, DeFeo claimed he had discovered their bodies following the killings, and even attributed the mass murder to a professional hitman. However, within the next day, he admitted his guilt and confessed to being the one who had slain his entire family. The reason behind his heinous acts remained unclear as his narrative evolved over the years. Initially, he attributed the act to hearing voices, but later, he implicated other members of his family. This enigma has intrigued numerous individuals who have attempted to unravel it themselves. Was DeFeo motivated by his father's life insurance money? Did he experience a psychotic breakdown? Did his history of drug use influence his actions? Or was it something supernatural and inexplicable? This was a tale that captivated people's minds. How could a man commit such a brutal act against his entire family, and how could he do it without any of them noticing, waking up, or putting up a fight? DeFeo was declared guilty of the murders during the trial and received a prison sentence of 25 years to life. He remained incarcerated until his death in 2021.

The Lutz Family Moved in to the Amityville Horror House in 1975

The focus of The Amityville Horror lies in what happens after the mention of the grisly history. A year later, George and Kathy Lutz, portrayed by Brolin and Kidder, purchased the house at a discounted price despite being aware of its haunting past. They moved in with Kathy's three young children and had the house blessed by Father Ralph Pecoraro, a priest who had a chilling encounter. He claimed to have heard a mysterious deep voice telling him to leave before a force he couldn't see slapped him and caused blisters on his hands.

Upon the Lutzs' arrival, the typical haunted house phenomena began to occur. Doors would slam shut on their own, beds would move, and mysterious ooze would appear on the carpet. Unpleasant odors would come and go, and no matter how they tried to warm it, the house remained unnaturally cold. George experienced a recurring pattern of waking up around 3:15 am, the same time the murders had taken place. On one occasion, he even witnessed Kathy levitating over the bed. Less than a month after moving in, the family decided to flee, leaving all their belongings behind.

Naturally, numerous paranormal investigators were eager to participate and flocked to the house. Among them were the renowned couple, Ed and Lorraine Warren, distinguished for their involvement in The Conjuring and Annabelle. While nothing abnormal was ever observed by these visitors, apart from an alleged photograph capturing the ghostly presence of one of the young DeFeo children who had been murdered, many argue that it was likely a hoax orchestrated by a member of the team. Although she did not witness anything firsthand, Lorraine Warren expressed sensing a distinct presence. During a 2005 interview with CNN, she described the events that took place in the house as "the epitome of evil, exemplifying how evil can manifest itself and be drawn to specific situations."

Was the Lutz Family Lying?

The Lutzs lived in the home for only 28 days and investigators were involved, but the veracity of their paranormal claims remains unverified. Many believe that the family fabricated these claims for financial gain, given that the popular book was based on their conversations. Prior to speaking with the author of the eventual book, George Lutz reached out to William Weber, the lawyer representing DeFeo, who was seeking to have a book written about his client. Weber revealed that Lutz had shared his story while intoxicated and seemed to be simply "coming up with ideas." Weber firmly expressed his disbelief in Lutz, stating that their motives were purely commercial.

Indeed, this entire venture proved to be financially advantageous for the Lutzs, as they reportedly received $300,000 for Anson's book. Numerous allegations have arisen suggesting that the supposed haunting was nothing but a hoax intended for financial gain. These allegations include claims that the priest never visited the home and that the police were not contacted despite the book's assertion that they were. It is worth noting that no other family who has resided in the home since (including the current occupants) have ever reported any supernatural occurrences.

The belief and disbelief surrounding ghosts, demons, and the Lutzs' story create an ongoing controversy that adds to its appeal over the years. The existence of a haunted house in reality is something that many find too surreal to comprehend.

The truth or falsehood of the Lutzs' story is ultimately insignificant. It resulted in a book and movie, but no harm was done. The real horror lies in the 100% true story of the DeFeos, where a human being succumbed to indescribable madness and committed an unimaginably horrific crime. While ghosts, ooze, and mysterious voices are eerie, it is the news stories about real-life events that truly disturb us. Only the Lutzs know if they are telling the truth or not. On the other hand, Ronald J. DeFeo Jr. did not lie about his actions. The existence of six graves in a cemetery serves as evidence for what truly occurred. The only unresolved aspect is the motive, as DeFeo constantly changed his story, taking the definitive truth to his grave. This mystery has captivated millions for nearly half a century.

The Amityville Horror is available for streaming on Max.

Editor's P/S

The Amityville Horror is a classic horror film that has captivated audiences for decades. The film is based on the true story of the DeFeo murders, which took place in Amityville, New York, in 1974. In the film, the Lutz family moves into the Amityville house a year after the murders and begins to experience strange and terrifying phenomena. The film is full of jump scares and suspense, and it is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The true story of the Amityville Horror is just as fascinating as the film. The DeFeo murders were a brutal and senseless crime, and the fact that they took place in a house that was later said to be haunted has added to the mystery and intrigue surrounding the case. There are many people who believe that the Amityville house is actually haunted, and there have been numerous reports of paranormal activity in the house. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there is no denying that the Amityville Horror is a fascinating and terrifying story.