Review: Pete Davidson Goes Wild in Gonzo Gorefest 'The Home'

Pete Davidson makes his first foray into a serious dramatic role in The Home , a new psychological horror film from The Purge director James DeMonaco. It's certainly a departure for the former Saturday Night Live star, who previously gave a stellar performance as a modified version of himself in Judd Apatow's dramedy The King of Staten Island (2020). Though that film asked Davidson to greatly stretch his acting abilities, an occasion to which he rose with fervor, the genre and character were still largely within his comfort zone. So, does Davidson have what it takes to lead a gory, conspiracy-minded horror flick? Moreover, is The Home worth shelling out your hard-earned money to see?

Max (Davidson), fleeing from a complicated past, finds work at a secluded retirement home presided over by Dr. Sabian (Bruce Altman). While he initially finds charm in the doddery clientele, Max begins to sense that the facility's bosses are up to something nefarious. Ominous entreaties from patients and a warning from one orderly to not approach the fourth floor send Max on a mission to uncover the nursing home's secrets, which have surprising ties to his childhood in foster care.

The Home is a film about which the less said, the better (even the trailer gives way too much away). It's not a film which will stun you with its twists or change the genre in any way, but this is a surprisingly entertaining and handsomely made thriller which wears its influences on its sleeve and has a great deal of joy employing them. DeMonaco, whose Purge series was effective but often grueling rather than fun, here crafts a popcorn horror film which goes so giddily gonzo in its final movement that it seems destined for cult status.

There are shades of just about every recent horror movie you can name: The Conjuring (2013), The Invitation (2015), Get Out (2016), both versions of Suspiria , Midsommar (2019), and  Immaculate (2024). There's even a little bit of An Inconvenient Truth (2006) thrown in for good measure. And while some scenes are unabashedly reductive (characters wandering around darkened rooms until something goes boom should be outlawed), for the most part, DeMonaco remixes his influences to pleasing effect. The Home is great fun; it's paced like a bullet and is often unpredictable in its lunacy. Both qualities are, unfortunately, hard to come by in most modern theatrical horror.

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A great deal of credit is due to Davidson, who is quite good here. He doesn't find the same pathos he did in Staten Island , but the script is admittedly not too concerned with his fairly thin character. But the actor imbues the role with a likably downcast presence in the early scenes, reminiscent but less buoyant than Davidson's typical persona and just different enough so as not to draw criticism. As the film goes on, he gives a freaked-out horror performance for the ages. His commitment to the role is beyond admirable, and there are times when it's quite surprising how deep he goes. It's a fearless performance, one which indicates Davidson might have a terrifically rewarding career as a serious actor.

The Home is one of the summer's most entertaining movies, and while it won't rank with the year's best, it's a smart way to spend a hot afternoon. And do see this in a theater—this is the sort of knowingly campy, scandalously gory horror flick which demands to be seen with a screeching, cheering audience. Far more enjoyable and titillating than DeMonaco's previous films, The Home seems to herald the arrival of a new era in the careers of its director and star.

The Home is in cinemas nationwide from July 25.

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Review: Pete Davidson Goes Wild in Gonzo Gorefest 'The Home' first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 24, 2025