My Amityville Horror (2012) User Reviews

A Fascinating Character Study

[gregsrants · 6/10 · 24 October 2012]

Back in 1979, writer Jay Anson wrote a story about a real-life newlywed couple that moved into a new house in Long Island where a murder was committed. Upon moving in, the couple and their three children began to experience strange occurrences and manifestations that could not be easily explained.

The book was The Amityville Horror and its popularity in paperback drove MGM Studio's to option a screenplay by Sandor Stern (Pin) which soon became a popular movie of the same name starring James Brolin and Margot Kidder. The Amityville house soon became – and still is – the most recognized haunted house in the world. And even though the Lutz family moved out when the terror reached its pinnacle 35-years ago, the experiences and memories of the horrors experienced in the house haunts the family to this day.

Daniel Lutz was a member of the terrorized Amityville family and his story of experiences back in 1975 is the focus of My Amityville Horror, a new documentary by filmmaker Eric Walter. Daniel has stayed fairly quiet about his family's ordeal three decades ago and now he is ready to tell his story and reveal the psychological strains and scars that have plagued him for 35 years. The documentary that includes exhaustive research by Walter includes perspectives of those close to either the family or the house during the events of 1975 and many are interviewed offering their insight and recollection into what may have (or have not) happened to the fated Lutz family.

For those expecting a seriously scary insight into the unexplained events in the Amityville home, you may be disappointed. My Amityville Horror doesn't offer any new real insights. Daniel does speak of levitating beds, the infestation of flies and a few other unexplainable phenomena, but the heart of the movie is really a character study of the boy who became a man amongst media scrutiny and mockery.

Daniel comes across as a complex and angry man. He calls his experience in Amityville an 'unfortunate gift' and he gets defensive if cornered (Lesson learned: Don't ever ask Daniel to take a lie detector test). He is both playful and willing but when discussing uneasy topics such as his turbulent relationship with his stepfather, George Lutz, Daniel can be seen almost frothing at the mouth barely containing his rage so that his blood pressure doesn't make his head explode on screen.

Audiences will endear themselves to the older Daniel. He will remind you of the guy who sits at the end of the bar at the local tavern and has fascinating stories to tell. He won't be the type of person that gives you comfort and who you might pursue to tend to your children, but he is genuine and honest through the many layers of his complex personality.

As a documentary, Watler's meticulous detail and use of both stock and family photos allow us a glimpse into the Lutz family. Not so much a glimpse into the house that the Lutz family thought possessed, but a rare peak into a complex and dysfunctional family that may or may not have been terrorized by spirits in their Ocean Ave. home.

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Danny Lutz says he wants to tell his tale -- why didn't he tell it?

[cyclops_screener · 6/10 · 8 March 2014]

For a person who claims he wishes someone had asked him to give his version of events in the famous Amityville Horror haunting story, Danny Lutz shares very little of it in this documentary. The man is clearly in pain, clearly carrying a load of emotional baggage. However, the more he talks, the more it seems that Danny Lutz's angst centered on his hatred of his stepfather, George Lutz.

For all the interview questions asked of him, for all the talking he does, Danny Lutz says very little. The Amityville Horror story has become very murky over the years. The only thing anyone can seem to agree on is that the book and movie were wildly inaccurate. OK? So, what's the real story? In interviews, George Lutz spent much of his time talking about what DIDN'T happen in the house. Danny Lutz doesn't take that route, but he's clearly holding something back.

Are the few paranormal experiences Danny Lutz shares convincing? Not especially. He does himself no favors claiming to have witnessed George Lutz moving tools around his garage with telekinesis.

Out of the 90 minute only two things were made clear: Danny Lutz hated George Lutz. Danny Lutz hated being identified as "that Amityville Horror kid". Neither is much of a revelation and neither sheds any light whatsoever on this campfire story that just won't go away.

Nutter tells stories

[noawareness · 6/10 · 14 July 2021]

This is interesting enough but not for the reasons the film makers Intended. If this was anything other than The Amityville Horror, he would just be another "crazy guy" telling his stories, with everyone rolling their eyes. It's a great character study and really demonstrates the effects of trauma, whatever the truth may be.

Factually worthless portrait of a damaged mind

[deacon_blues-3 · 4/10 · 5 September 2013]

One thing becomes plain early on as you watch this "documentary;" Daniel Lutz is a very troubled and damaged soul. I have known a few people like Danny over the years: he shows definite signs of both being a victim of abuse and a result of substance abuse. He has also been counseled extensively on coping mechanisms, and is therefore not a credible witness to anything in reality. Too much of what he perceives as his reality is the product of rage and bitter emotions, which tend to skew his testimony. In court, he could never be considered a credible witness on any factual occurrence.

Besides this, many of the people involved in the making of this film are merely facilitators for his skewed perceptions. Anyone approaching objectivity is only included in the film without Daniel present, since he would react either violently or passive-aggressively if he had heard any of what they said about him, as evidenced by his reactions even to those who do not challenge his assertions and are merely facilitating his coping mechanisms; he still gets antagonistic at the slightest expression of skepticism toward anything he says.

As a factual record, this documentary is worthless. It verifies nothing except that Daniel Lutz is a severely damaged, unstable person.

All one can do is to continue to wonder why.

Engaging portrait of a psychologically troubled man

[The_Dead_See · 7/10 · 19 August 2013]

As most of the other reviews have already mentioned, this is not a movie about the events that purportedly happened in the Amityville house in 1975. Instead it's a truly engaging portrait of Daniel Lutz - the 10 year old boy at the center of the events, and it's more about his (potentially abusive) relationship with his stepfather and the media scrutiny that invaded and shaped his life thereafter.

While the documentary is competently made, it's Daniel Lutz himself who is the engine behind how powerful it is. He's a character full of nervous twitches and aggressive, eloquent storytelling. He's clearly got psychological problems and he wears most of them on his sleeve, but you also get a strong sense that this poor guy has a wall of defense mechanisms built up so high that he'll probably never escape it. He jumps in a single beat from being angry and intimidating to being open and borderline in tears. It would take a mean-hearted viewer indeed not to feel some sense of sympathy for him in spite of his abrasiveness.

Director Eric Walter wisely leaves the documentary very open to interpretation. There's no narrative to guide the viewer to a moral conclusion. There's no musical soundtrack to subconsciously push emotional responses. This is just Daniel Lutz, sat in front of a camera and pressed to open up. The theme by the end seems to be an invitation to the viewer to make up their own mind about what happened in that house but with more complex possibilities to choose from than the usual "was it a real haunting or not?" angle. Was it child abuse? Was it fanatical parents leading suggestive children? Was it a structured hoax that inadvertently led to the crumbling of this poor child's life and psyche? Did something paranormal happen but get embellished in a ten year old's mind?

All in all, a very compelling and thought-provoking biographical documentary. Well worth watching.

Danny has mental health issues.

[stdempsey · 1/10 · 9 September 2020]

This documentary focuses on Daniel Lutze. Throughout the movie he tries to convince you that he's haunted by this experience. Nothing could be further from the truth, he relishes in it. It's probably the only thing of note in his life. He tries to intimidate everyone around him by being confrontational and arrogant, even though he's only about 5'4" and 135lbs.

I would not be surprised at all if he insisted that his guitar playing had to be part of the film in order for him to do it. It adds absolutely nothing to the production.

During the retelling of him witnessing his step father levitate a wrench across a room you can tell he's making this entire story up as he's telling it. His mannerisms, his eye movements and speech give it all away. He is so used to telling lies about that time in his life, it just comes natural to him anymore.

He's a sad man and his reaction to taking a polygraph test shows his true nature. "After this is over, you and I are going to have some words about this"........ Really? Let's have the words right now, tough guy! He's a tool and fool.

Not just another Amityville documentary.

[dolemite-13 · 7/10 · 12 April 2013]

Great movie. It's more about childhood trauma and human perception than about the scary things that may or may not have happened at the Amityville house.

If you're looking for a good ghost story or spectacular new revelations you're going to be disappointed. My Amityville horror asks more questions than it answers and does it in a fascinating way.

Daniel Lutz is obviously scarred by everything that took place and uses the opportunity to exorcise some demons of his own. Does that make him a reliable witness? That's up to the viewer.

Highly recommended.

A man stuck in the past

[jdabbott51-318-439916 · 5/10 · 10 November 2013]

I'm giving this movie five stars. For the first forty five minutes of the film I was thinking it was more like a one star movie. My respect for the film grew as I continued to watch it. At one point in the film, Lorraine Warren said about George Lutz, that one needed "a lot of padding to deal with him." Funnily enough, I thought this was a great description of Daniel Lutz of whom is the main subject in this documentary. Throughout the film, Daniel Lutz, kind've dishes the goods on his now deceased stepfather. However, he also seems to embody all of the brooding, dark, narcissistic qualities he hated about his step father. More than anything, there's this sense of a damaged man. He's super macho, shifty, evasive and seems to be having this self pity party. He's clearly putting on a very cool guy image for the film. It's hard to connect with him let alone believe him. He flips out over being asked to take something as simple as a lie detector test. He's obviously exaggerating his experiences and he lays on this thick level of intensity in everything he says to the point that you fear for anyone that dare question him. He seems to be doing okay in his life, and yet he acts as if he's completely been screwed over.

By the end of the movie, one kind've walks away to see that behind all of the sensationalism of one of the biggest mass media tales of the 1980's, there was a very real family tied up in it all. Tragically, all of the hoopla from the mass media frenzy even seems to have implanted this major confusion and identity crisis on the people who were involved. Throughout the film, you realize that Danny Lutz, is both trying to reveal himself to be a real person, and at the same time, almost acting out some anti-hero protagonist character in the very movies he proclaims to hate. You can't help but sense a real lack of authenticity from him. He doesn't want to be the Amityvill kid. But when you put the camera's on him, he's very much the amityville kid on hyper overdrive. They interview and tape discussions with all of these paranormal investigators, some of whom don't even seem to believe the events at Amityville occurred.

Then there's all of these weird scenes with Danny dropping all of these crazy guitar solos. Did Danny agree to do this movie to launch his music career? Admittedly they're pretty good licks, but it's for a genre of metalhead music that hit it's peak in the early nineties and has declined ever since. This only furthers the understanding that this poor guy is doomed to always be stuck in the past.

After All The Movies, A True Story Emerges

[gavin6942 · 7/10 · 18 August 2013]

For the first time in thirty-five years, Daniel Lutz recounts his version of the infamous Amityville haunting that terrified his family in 1975...

What this film does not do is solve the mystery of the Amityville house and whether or not it was haunted. So if you are already familiar with that and hoped for proof of ghosts or a debunking, this will not change your mind one way or the other. (Although, if like me you knew very little of the true story, this will fill in a lot of gaps.)

This is not a film of the haunting, but rather the effects on the boy who lived in the house, Daniel Lutz, now around fifty years old. He believes the house was haunted and that he was possessed. Are we to believe him, or is he crazy or is his memory faulty from years of abuse from his stepfather? Different viewers will take away different things from this documentary. Some might go away saying that Lutz is sincere an therefore the haunting was real. Others will say he is completely off his rocker. This ambiguity actually shows how good of a documentary it is -- the film is not concerned with convincing you one way or the other, it just wants to show you the facts and let you decide for yourself.

Some parts are a bit slow and repetitive, but the film as a whole is short enough that this can be overlooked. There is also a great cast of characters. Lutz is front and center, but we also meet up with investigative reporters and paranormal researchers who were at the house in 1975 who are reflecting on their experiences decades later. One woman, Lorraine Warren, who raises roosters and claims to have a piece of the cross that Jesus was crucified on is quite interesting (and again, how you interpret this scene will depend on your views of the paranormal and supernatural).

The biggest disappointment is that Daniel Lutz's two siblings declined to be involved with the project. Although they were probably too young to have any coherent memories of the Amityville house, they could offer valuable insight into living with George Lutz, as well as give their impressions of Daniel's state of mind. A sequel documentary, perhaps?

While not the most socially or politically important documentary to come out in recent years, it is a film that should be viewed by both paranormal enthusiasts and those who have appreciated the horror genre. One looks at the "Amityville Horror" film series differently when you know -- or think you know -- the true story.

88min of a guy making up stories for attention

[Duaneparker · 2/10 · 8 July 2013]

This is what happens when a guy with a severe mental illness is given attention and a camera is shoved into his face.

He just makes up stories that are based off watching the Amityville movies, his real experience of living in the house and the Jay Anson book. He revels in the fact that he is the boy from the movie, he even knows all about the remake, he loves the attention the case has brought and this is obvious.

He will (and does) say anything that he thinks will get a response from the interviewer then it all leads to him being asked if he would take a lie detector, and he reacts as anyone who has been lying would, he flips out.

If you have 88 minutes to listen to a guy make up fantastical stories then watch this otherwise avoid and watch the Margot Kidder film.

Fascinating overall

[emayhem04 · 8/10 · 30 October 2012]

My Amityville Horror is a very interesting work. You can tell that deeply interested people put a lot of care into crafting this film.

What this film IS NOT: if you are are looking for scares, evidence of what truly happened or an investigation of any sort in to the events on Ocean Ave, you have come to the wrong place.

What this film IS: An incredible look at Daniel Lutz, now decades removed from the events but still dealing with them everyday. It delves into how the phenomena of Amityville and the subsequent sensation surrounding it has had a deep and ongoing impact on one man's life.

No matter your opinions on what did/didn't happen in the Amityville house, Mr. Lutz must be praised for his willingness to speak frankly about his life and experiences. It's not easy for anyone to open up old wounds, let alone do it on camera and face the publicity and scrutiny that comes with it. Mr. Lutz knows better than anyone the pressure publicity brings onto those who fall under its gaze. He does not seek it out, yet since it has hunted him his whole life he has taken a stand and has found the strength to confront it head on. No matter your stance on the paranormal, Lutz must be respected for his strength and honesty. If your a skeptic fine, but respect that for him he is opening up about severely traumatic experiences.

At times during the film, Lutz is both endearing and alienating. He is guarded, yet you can empathize with him. His tough exterior is the result of his experiences and was developed as a needed defense mechanism. The documentary shows both sides of him well.

I heard criticism that it fails as a documentary, as it does not examine the "Amityville is a hoax" side of things. To that I say, this film is not supposed to. It's not a "did it happen or not" investigation. This film is saying that regardless of what may or may not have happened, the events in the house and the fallout that followed had a tremendous impact on the lives of those involved. Those people have a right to tell their story, a story that needs to be told in order to understand the Amityville events on a deeper level.

Overall, the film is an incredible success at accomplishing its goals. Definitely seek out this movie for a viewing. 7 1/2 stars, falling slightly closer to an 8.

True, interesting, a sheding of new light on an on going horror story

[ripleyclone8 · 7/10 · 18 April 2013]

I've noticed with the Lutz family interviews that all of them including Daniel Lutz that they don't really explain or go into detail about the events that took place in that house in 1975 and '76. I feel as though in this film they really do more of a personality sketch and check on Daniel as they try to get him to explain in some way shape or form the events going on in the house.

This movie is dramatic, interesting and kind of gives way to how emotionally scarred this older guy is from all the press, media, and failing on George Lutz part as a parent. This movie will engross you more about the Amityville Horror and what really made these kids what they are today.

Ridiculous nonsense

[Dlflyers-638-797159 · 1/10 · 21 March 2013]

I found this to be so annoying and nothing but nonsense. Daniel has the most annoying habit of being so menacing and trying so hard to make everyone look at him throughout. He sounds like he just didn't like his stepfather and could not be happier in making him look as bad as possible. Everyone in this "documentary" looks like they are just out for the attention with the exception of the last psychologist who pegged him exactly...he was a bad kid looking for attention.He makes sure throughout too show his guitar playing talent which has little or nothing to do with anything...and Lorraine Warren had nerve chastising the crew who said they didn't believe in God...that is their right just like it was his right to bring up all this past garbage to keep himself relevant...exactly how much did he get paid? Marv Scott was also on the money...they were there with an entire crew and saw nothing...would like too know who approached who in making this. Especially love how he won't take a lie detector at the end...and gets in the face of the crew member who asked him to...again with the menacing garbage...this guy is such a tool

So many inconsistencies in the story

[kessiebear-24936 · 5/10 · 9 February 2022]

Obviously I don't automatically assume the storey is true in its entirety, but I went in thinking I might come out believing something was legit, but the story changes as it goes.. first he says left the family around 15/16, then it was 13 1/2; then he says his fingers were crushed so badly by the window they were "skin on skin" and were magically healed out of nowhere after a spirit came into the room and sat down, but then he's also detailing how he still has some damage (so the spirit can heal broken skin and "5x their normal size" swelling in seconds but not a crooked knuckle..?)

Also, Lorraine Warren claims to have wood from the actual cross Jesus Christ's was crucified on, but no explanation as to where she got it, whether it's actually been analysed and dated; and, if it has, how on earth it's in her possession instead of in a religious museum.

Also, why tf does Danny get so angry when 2 doco crew members admit they're agnostic?

I'm certainly not saying he didn't deal with trauma as a child - it's been widely discussed for a Lomb time that George Lutz was an abusive a**hole, but it seems far more likely that he also has some mental health problems and was convinced (likely by George) as a child that supernatural occurrences were going on in that house, and that mixed with physical and psychological abuse (which he admits started well before moving into Amityville) caused severe trauma and possibly delusional or somewhat 'planted' memories that happened so young, he wasn't actually able to distinguish between fact and fiction after a period of time, and the impact of the trauma has caused it to stick with him all these decades.

All that said, I still found it an interesting watch.. but I viewed it as more of a documentary about trauma than anything cos it's a really sad, horrific story, but not in any way due to what he says it is.

Another side to a slippery tale

[fathersonholygore · 7/10 · 27 April 2013]

Just a short review, but I did enjoy this documentary for the most part. It's shot like most documentaries between talking heads, interviews with Daniel Lutz and others, as well as Lutz playing many styles of guitar in little shots to fill spaces. The man tells his story of being a young boy at the time of the supposed hauntings his family, the Lutz', experienced while living in Amityville after the DeFeo murders. He has obviously been haunted in one way or another, and depending on your views of the supernatural, you might lean more to one side. Daniel was clearly damaged, but significantly more so by the way his mother and his stepfather George Lutz took the chance to go national with their stories of hauntings in the Amityville home, and no matter how much he claims there were supernatural going ons while they lived there it is very evident the family drama going on surrounding everything that had supposedly happened was the most crippling dilemma in Daniel's young life.

All in all, I give this documentary an 7 out of 10 stars. It's well shot, and interesting. The only thing which holds me back from giving any more stars to this review is subject matter itself: Daniel is a bit of a jerk, and I understand these events he perceives as having happened are certainly what constitute having a traumatic deal with life, but he agreed to do the documentary, and spends moments snarling at crew members. One particularly off-putting moment was when they visited an older lady (Lorraine Warren) who was close with Daniel, and she asked them if anyone on the crew did not believe in God because her intentions were to unveil a supposed holy relic (a piece of the cross Jesus was crucified on, I believe) to everyone present; Daniel gets a bit unruly about how everyone reacts to being questioned about this, and says if they don't say so now he'll "call them out on it later", which struck me as a bit of a tough guy move. His personality can be awfully rotten at times, and for a guy who acts like he wants to be a part of the documentary, he simultaneously tries to embody an attitude of a guy who wants to tell everyone to get lost, hiding from the media; overall, he is a confused man, or perhaps he also is trying to get his 15 minutes. Either way, objectively it's a decent to good documentary, and highly recommended for anyone interested in the Amityville hauntings, as I have been for some years now.

Daniel Lutz is to me one of the more hateful people ever filmed, period.

[bijinius · 1/10 · 13 April 2019]

This person - Daniel Lutz - comes off as a SEVERELY desperate, attention-seeking fame-whore; he at one point mockingly belittles a therapist over what he sees as her lack of any real trauma in her life.

then there's the scene where he more or less threatens anyone present who isn't of Christian faith. it's really, REALLY disgusting stuff. the fact that this movie _actually_ plays its credits over footage of this Lutz dope playing hammy, uninspired Rock & Roll guitar while wearing sunglasses indoors is BREATHTAKINGLY insane.

i honestly, HONESTLY had trouble getting through this thing. there's not anything mentioned that isn't already part of the "true story" surrounding the trademarked Amityville Horror™ film and book franchise.

it's simply soul-crushing, hair-pulling stuff. this really loathsome person was given a fine opportunity to act as awful as he wanted while reveling in the already well-trodden, VERY suspect stuff already surrounding this franchise.

the fact that they've been flatly admitted as lies by at LEAST one person involved just goes to show just how ready and willing we are to believe in *whatever*.

it's simply a bad, BAD movie experience. THAT'S my final verdict. i genuinely hope that yours is much, much better. i don't ENJOY hating things on such a near, personal level. the character of Daniel Lutz, as presented, is to _me_ just a thoroughly hateful douche. mocking, posturing, rude, negative on every level imaginable.

i STRONGLY urge you to reconsider watching this trash.

Something Bad Did Happen in That House but Was It a Stepfather or a Ghost?

[Michael_Elliott · 18 August 2013]

My Amityville Horror (2012)

** 1/2 (out of 4)

Daniel Lutz was the stepson of George Lutz who most will remember as the father who claimed that his home in Amityville was haunted, which led to a bestselling book as well as a hit film, which followed with countless sequels. This is without question the most famous haunted house in history but more recently most people believe it was all just a hoax. Speaking for the first time, Daniel certainly doesn't believe it was a hoax as he explains what exactly happened inside the house as well as the various other forms of abuse that he suffered through the hands of George. Those expecting this to prove the Amityville case will probably be disappointed. While it's true that the case is discussed in great detail, I think the real focus of the film is on the mental state of Daniel and the obvious abuse he got from his stepfather. Look, no one except for the Lutz's will ever know what really happened in that house but after seeing this film I think I'm pushed further into believing that nothing did. It's clear that Daniel is suffering from some very strong mental problems, which are either true or perhaps everything here was just a performance. Again, only he will know for certain. Hearing the various stories of abuse he took from his stepfather and hearing how he felt his mother left him is something that could haunt a person just as much as a ghost inside the house. There are times when his stories are quite chilling but how much you believe them is going to have a lot of impact. It's worth noting that a title card at the end says the other two children were originally going to take part in the documentary but backed out. Also interviewed are many of the original journalists who covered the case as well as Lorraine Warren who of course is red hot now thanks to THE CONJURING.

A story straight from the source

[joeman32 · 7/10 · 10 August 2013]

Nevermind the reviews that say this documentary is boring, making up stories for attention, nonsense, etc. It's a story straight from the source, not just another documentary. It's not a Hollywood movie or scripted story. What you see is what you get. For those who don't know, the Lutz family was the family who came after the murder family known as Defeo family. The movies were even focused on the Lutz family. Just look at the character names in the movie. Furthermore, Daniel Lutz's story in this documentary is a big deal if your fascinated with the Amityville hauntings.

Like the guy or not, believe in his story or not, he is the real deal. He may be an adult now, but it took him many many years to tell his childhood traumatic story. If he was out for attention, why did it take him so long? I'm not one to believe in ghosts and such as I'm a skeptic, however I believed that this guy believed in his story. You can just tell by the way he's in tears and takes pauses before continuing. Is it possible he's a lunatic and that's why he believed it? Sure. That doesn't mean he's lying though.

Too credulous

[Leofwine_draca · 3/10 · 12 September 2018]

MY AMITYVILLE HORROR is yet another movie cashing in on the famous haunted house case in America. This one takes the form of a documentary with Daniel Lutz, the grown-up son of the family who were so memorably menaced by evil spirits in the original movie THE AMITYVILLE HORROR. Sadly, this is a missed opportunity of a film; instead of covering the case in-depth, as many series have before, it merely consists of a long and drawn-out interview with Lutz, who turns out to be volatile, unpleasant, and prone to telling mistruths. Occasional archive interviews and snippets of other material are more interesting, but mostly this is Lutz sitting at a table being fed leading questions by perhaps one of the most credulous interviewers I've ever seen.

Unsettling...but not for the reason you might imagine.

[halcyonbear · 7/10 · 30 October 2020]

If you time in to this expecting a straightforward documentary about the alleged haunting at Amityville you will be disappointed. What we get instead is a portrait of the eldest son of the Lutz family who claimed to have endured a haunting so terrifying, they fled their home after only 28 days. It will have you asking questions about belief and memory. Another reviewer on here sums it up brilliantly when they say that he believes his account of the events. I don't think you could call him a liar; I believe that he believes his story 100%. I'm not a psychologist so I can't offer solutions as to the whys and wherefores of his situation. It's a somewhat upsetting portrait of a seemingly lonely man who is clearly living with mental health issues from unresolved problems with his family as a child...it just so happens that his family was involved with probably THE most famous American ghost story. Haunting is a pretty good metaphor for how our pasts have a tendency to trouble us years later if we don't deal with them in a healthy way. There's certainly a lot of anger and a need to be listened to. It would be easy to make a sarcastic comment like "Someone obviously didn't get enough attention as a child", but sadly that may well be the case. Do I believe the story of The Amityville Haunting? No. But this compelling documentary shows that it's the actions of the living and the memories that they create we need to be scared of, not those of the dead.

Poor

[koffskeyj · 1/10 · 16 May 2017]

The makers of this film should be ashamed of enabling and exploiting a man with obvious mental illness. But after watching, it seems they themselves are likely too out of touch to even realize their mistake. In reality this is a documentary about a man with countless unresolved issues from childhood that he has carried into his 50s; issues that have only compounded as he has aged.

Fascinating Case Study

[tonya-jarrett · 9/10 · 1 September 2013]

Read some reviews on Netflix and decided to watch the film. I'm glad I didn't listen to the negative reviews there. Whether or not you believe in psychic phenomena is besides the point. Something happened to 10-year-old Daniel Lutz in that house, something painful and terrifying which lives inside him to this day. He believes it happened and that's what is important as you watch the child within the man still struggling to cope.

I do agree with him on this: I also believe that evil exists and that it can be drawn to certain people. After what I learned about George Lutz by watching this documentary, it is possible there are paranormal elements which Daniel experienced, along with psychological fallout from his childhood. The pain was the worst thing to witness but I found his story, as he related it, credible. There is horror and then there is horror, and this documentary explores that. After presenting information from many of the original players in the Amityville Horror occurrence, parapsychologists, reporters, etc., it allows you to draw your own conclusions and that is what a good documentary does.

And Pilate Said: 'What is Truth?'

[jordirozsa · 6/10 · 9 November 2023]

Eric Walter's "My Amityville Horror" (2012) ventures into the renowned and contentious paranormal case of the Lutz family in Amityville, New York. It stands out for its focus on Daniel Lutz's perspective, who experienced these events in his childhood. This intimate and personal approach diverges from traditional Amityville analyses, centering on Daniel's trauma and emotional aftermath. Through interviews with him and others involved, the documentary presents a multifaceted view of the events' impact on his life.

The film emerges as a character study and an exploration of subjective truth. Walter's direction follows an adult Daniel wrestling with conflicting memories and emotions, not aiming to confirm or debunk Amityville's supernatural events. Instead, it illustrates how these experiences have shaped Daniel, using archival footage and current interviews to weave a retrospective and immediate narrative.

It introduces a new dimension to the Amityville story, focusing on the long-term impact on an individual. Daniel's raw honesty and vulnerability on screen are compelling, though the focus on his perspective might seem one-sided to those seeking a more balanced exploration of various viewpoints. In terms of production, the documentary is proficient, yet it doesn't employ particularly innovative visual or narrative techniques.

From a journalistic perspective, it excels in its narrative approach but is limited by the lack of a thorough and balanced analysis of the different versions and testimonies related to the case. The film stands as a valid personal and subjective account but doesn't offer a definitive confirmation or refutation of the Amityville facts. The documentary's credibility heavily relies on Daniel's credibility as the primary witness, and while the inclusion of experts lends some credibility, it doesn't offset the lack of objective evidence and comprehensive analysis.

It's a study that offers a unique and personal perspective, challenging viewers to consider the human stories behind paranormal myths. However, it faces significant challenges in terms of journalistic quality when evaluated against criteria of objectivity, depth of investigation, and balance. Its validity as a historical document is limited, and its credibility largely depends on the viewer's perception of Daniel Lutz as the main narrator.

Eric Walter, known for his focus on the paranormal and mysterious, has garnered both interest and criticism in his documentary filmmaking career. His work in "My Amityville Horror" (2012) reflects this duality, attracting an audience intrigued by the supernatural, while facing questions about objectivity and source verification. Walter has been commended for his innovation in the documentary genre and his ability to engage audiences. His interest in the human impact of paranormal stories is evident in his focus on the emotional and psychological aftermath experienced by Daniel Lutz.

Walter's documentary on the Amityville story, addressing the accounts of George and Kathy Lutz, achieves a notable balance by contextualizing the events without excessively veering towards the massacre committed by Ronald DeFeo Jr. This approach aids in understanding the environment the Lutzes encountered and how it might have influenced their experience at 112 Oceans Avenue (now 108).

Walter provides essential background on the DeFeo family, setting the stage for subsequent events. In doing so, he helps viewers better grasp the atmosphere surrounding the house before the Lutzes' arrival. This includes the DeFeo family dynamics and the property's history. Although the primary focus is not on the massacre by Ronald DeFeo Jr., the documentary mentions it as a crucial preceding event. This mention is important for establishing the tone and perception of the house but is managed in a way that doesn't overshadow the Lutzes' experience.

The documentary adeptly links the house's background with the Lutzes' experiences. This connection is crucial for understanding why the house was perceived as haunted and how previous events might have influenced the family's perceptions.

The documentary on the Amityville story, while intriguing in its content, exhibits certain deficiencies in terms of structural clarity, manifesting in several key aspects of its execution.

Firstly, the narrative of the documentary focuses almost exclusively on Daniel Lutz's first-person perspective as the main subject of the narrated experiences. This stylistic choice, while providing an intimate and detailed view of the events from his viewpoint, limits the perspective to a single narrative. The presence of other subjects, such as the woman interviewing Lutz and some additional witnesses, is minimal and does not compensate for this lack of diversity. The participation of Daniel Lutz's siblings or neighbors and residents of the area at that time could have offered additional and possibly more objective perspectives on the events. These testimonies could have provided a broader context and helped viewers better understand the family and community dynamics surrounding the events.

In a quality documentary, a reporter or narrator is expected to act as a guiding thread, introducing the piece, guiding the viewer through the narrative, and offering clear conclusions at the end. These conclusions could include affirmations or denials, hypothesis formulation, questions, or dilemmas that invite viewer reflection. However, the absence of a narrator with these functions leaves a gap in terms of critical analysis.

The structure lacks clear differentiation into sections or blocks that divide the content into coherent units. It is presented in a continuous line without clear transitions, making it difficult for the viewer to distinguish between different parts or themes within the documentary. This lack of segmented structure results in a confusing viewing experience, where the constant flow of information and narrative intertwines without a defined demarcation.

The excessive focus on Lutz during interviews, without providing sufficient visual context of the surroundings, detracts from authenticity. In the interviews with the psychotherapist, not adequately showing the consultation environment makes the scene less credible or professional. Including elements of the environment, such as diplomas, books, or the general layout of the office, could have provided a stronger sense of place and professionalism.

Regarding the use of archival images and research materials, instead of being integrated to provide additional context or evidence, they are often presented without adequate explanation of their content or relevance in relation to what is being explained at the moment, in a somewhat disorganized and "bulk" manner. This presentation leaves the viewer confused about their importance or significance, rather than clarifying or deepening the points being discussed.

Access to the Amityville house in real-time during the documentary, while Daniel Lutz recounts his experience, would have been a powerful and significant element for several reasons. This approach could have enriched the documentary's narrative and offered a more immersive and convincing experience for the viewer.

The inconsistency in the narrative line of the documentary on the Amityville story is evident in how the documentary addresses the veracity of the narrated events. For most of the documentary, the story is presented from Lutz's subjective first-person perspective. This narrative choice limits the perspective. It seems to implicitly support the veracity of the events as told by Lutz, without significantly questioning or contrasting them with other perspectives or evidence.

However, towards the end, a crucial dilemma is introduced: the possibility that Lutz's narration is a fabrication or the product of a mental imbalance. This sudden introduction of skepticism contrasts sharply with the previously unquestioned presentation of his accounts. If the documentary's intention is to place the viewer in a position of doubt or questioning about the veracity of the events, it would be more coherent and effective to introduce this perspective from the beginning, with a more balanced approach.

From a commercial standpoint, this strategy may be effective. By not taking a definitive stance, the documentary has the potential to appeal to a broad spectrum with different beliefs and opinions about the case. Believers in the paranormal and skeptics alike can find elements in the documentary that support their pre-existing views, which can increase interest and discussion. However, from a journalistic rigor perspective, the lack of commitment to a clear and substantiated narrative can lead to questions about the seriousness and credibility of the production. Daniel Lutz's participation adds a dimension of authenticity, but it is not a guarantee of objectivity or absolute truth. It is important to maintain a critical view; even in documentaries, the narrative can be influenced by various factors and not always reflect an indisputable truth. Although the documentary may have informational value, especially for offering a direct perspective of a witness to the Amityville events, it cannot be discounted that it also serves promotional purposes. It contributes to keeping the Amityville narrative alive and, potentially, to promoting interest in the entire content ecosystem related to this story and the Warren universe.

Just Don't...

[tennisplaya3283 · 3/10 · 11 August 2013]

The documentary itself addressed some good points about the Lutz family. Is it possible they were experiencing financial trouble? Was George Lutz into sadistic occults? Danny Lutz was the main focus of the documentary, which was the mistake of the producers. The emotions seemed WAY too exaggerated and forced, which made me skeptical of his words. It wouldn't have been as bad if they would have taken bits and pieces of what he said to paint a picture of what happened, but don't let him keep talking in front of a camera. Towards the end, a producer/camera man asked if we was willing to take a lie detector test. Danny Lutz became very abrasive and defensive. It was to the point that the producer was defending himself over the question he asked, but it was mainly that Danny Lutz was avoiding an answer to the question. Simple as that.

If the film's purpose was to make me even more of a skeptic, it worked.

More Frustrating than Entertaining or Informative

[capejasminepetals · 2/10 · 4 October 2013]

Watching this movie gave me a headache, so I am going to keep this short and uncomplicated.

Danny Lutz is an obnoxious man-boy desperate to finally get HIMSELF a little attention out of the whole Amityville ordeal. He whines about his relationship to his step-dad (and implies that he was abusive, though I think it more likely he just didn't like him and wants to throw him under the bus at any opportunity), suffers the most ridiculous mood- swings, and even tries to claim a ghostly voice in the house once basically told him that he was either the cause or the center of the haunting. Attention whoring much?

If his words and stories throughout the video aren't enough to convince you that he is completely full of it and probably just angry at having a blended family and a media circus around him during his childhood, his irate refusal of a lie detector test at the end definitely drives the point home.

I appreciate what the creators were trying to do, but I can't imagine why they continued with filming after seeing how clearly dishonest and attention-hungry this man is. They really made a joke of themselves with this one.