The House with Laughing Windows
Directed by Pupi Avati
Where to Watch The House with Laughing Windows
- Kevin WardJuly 1, 2025Stefano (Lino Capolicchio), an art restorer, was hired to work on a fresco in a small, decaying Italian village. The fresco, depicting the martyrdom of St. Sebastian, is the work of a mysterious local painter, Legnani, who was notorious for his macabre depictions of death and suffering. As Stefano digs deeper into the painter’s past, he uncovers a series of chilling secrets about the town, which seems to be hiding something deeply sinister. I really liked Avati’s direction, which used long takes, dim lighting, and ambient sound to build tension slowly. However, this also contributed to the film’s glacial pace, particularly in the first half. There’s not much in the way of kills and gore either, though I thought the few that are here looked great. I got more invested in the second half when Stefano got deeper into the mystery. The film's biggest saving grace is that ending—what an incredible wardrobe malfunction. I would have loved it if the film had gone on a little more after that last reveal, perhaps more about the town’s complicity in its dark history. I also think it’s funny that there’s always a moment in these Italian gialli where you suddenly see how the film got its long title. This film is no different. 👄
The House with Laughing Windows Trivia
The House with Laughing Windows was released on August 20, 1976.
The House with Laughing Windows was directed by Pupi Avati.
The House with Laughing Windows has a runtime of 1h 50m.
The House with Laughing Windows was produced by Antonio Avati, Gianni Minervini.
Stefano, a young restorer, is commissioned to save a controversial mural located in the church of a small, isolated village.
The key characters in The House with Laughing Windows are Stefano (Lino Capolicchio), Francesca (Francesca Marciano), Coppola (Gianni Cavina).
The House with Laughing Windows is a Horror, Mystery, Thriller film.
The House with Laughing Windows has an audience rating of 7.1 out of 10.
The House with Laughing Windows had a budget of $61,974.
The House with Laughing Windows has made $433K at the box office.