Burnt Offerings (1976)

In the sunlit heart of summer, the Rolf family, consisting of Ben, his wife Marian, their son Davey, and Ben's Aunt Elizabeth, find themselves drawn towards an opulent country manor available for an irresistible rent deal. The offer is presented by the enigmatic Allardyce siblings, Roz and Arnold, who set forth two conditions; the family must care for the mansion's vast expanse on their own, and the Allardyces' reclusive mother, residing in an isolated wing of the house. Marian, despite the enormity of the task, promises to provide a thrice-daily meal service to Mrs. Allardyce's room, determined to maintain the elderly woman's peace. As they arrive at their new abode, they discover an abrupt departure note from the Allardyces, leaving them with only the necessary keys and no means to reach the vanished owners. The grandeur of the mansion, initially perceived as a 'waste' by Marian, soon begins to weave a spell of obsession over her. As the season unfolds, a series of unexplainable occurrences and strange behavior start to unravel the family's harmony, especially Marian's growing fixation on the house and her fervor to restore it to its former glory. The once vibrant summer refuge turns into a cryptic maze as the family members grapple with their own peculiar transformations, with the house seemingly draining their life force. The pivotal mystery hinges on the elusive Mrs. Allardyce, hidden behind her locked bedroom door. After her death, the family's attempts to escape the mansion's eerie grip prove futile, trapping them within its brooding walls. The plot crescendos into a chilling exploration of what lies beyond the locked door, and the sinister reality enveloping the Rolf family. The film 'Burnt Offerings' is a haunting riddle, a web of secrets spun within the confines of a grand old country mansion that promises a summer retreat but delivers a chilling nightmare.

Burnt Offerings is a horror movie featuring Karen Black and directed by Dan Curtis.

Burnt Offerings is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Pluto TV and Tubi TV and it's also available on DIRECTV.