Performance & Direction: Hell's House Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Hell's House (1932) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.1/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Hell's House features a noteworthy lineup led by Bette Davis . Supported by the likes of Pat O'Brien and Junior Durkin , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Hell's House (1932) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.1/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: Hell's House
Quick Plot Summary: Hell's House is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Hell's House
Ending Breakdown: Hell's House attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Hell's House reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Hell's House?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: Hell's House
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Hell's House Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
FilmBox+Hell's House Parents Guide & Age Rating
1932 AdvisoryWondering about Hell's House age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Hell's House is 72 minutes (1h 12m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.1/10, and global performance metrics, Hell's House is classified as a AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 1932 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hell's House worth watching?
Hell's House is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 5.1/10 and stands as a AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Hell's House parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Hell's House identifies it as NR. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Hell's House?
The total duration of Hell's House is 72 minutes, which is approximately 1h 12m long.
Best Movies to Watch if you liked Hell's House
How Hell's House Compares & Where it Ranks
Critic Reviews for Hell's House
Despite the fact that Bette Davis takes top billing here, she rarely features in this rather effective tale of a young boy "Jimmy" (Junior Durkin), who does the right thing and ends up taking the rap for bootlegger "Kelly" (Pat O'Brien). His integrity now sees him in Reform School for three years. There he befriends "Shorty" (Frank Coghlan Jr.) and together we experience the hardships faced by these young men as they are essentially incarcerated, used and forgotten about. Meantime, newspaper man "Gebhardt" (Morgan Wallace) is set on exposing the truth about this place and improving the standards for the boys. Can he do it before tragedy ensues? The film belongs to the charming and decent "Jimmy", and Durkin turns in an engaging performance in the role as the young, naive and optimistic young man ill-equipped for his new life in city where he is ripe for exploitation. It builds slowly, but well until a denouement that is maybe a bit late in the day, but fitting nonetheless. The production is all a bit basic, but I still quite enjoyed this.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
