Notes on "House of Wax" Lecture

Introduction

• Discussion of a group of six friends on a road trip.
• Encounter with a roadside attraction, leading to their fateful decision to stop.
• The setting is a small town in Louisiana known as "House of Wax."

Plot Overview

• The friends stop at a diner for food on their way to a football game.
• Blake looks for a shortcut on GPS, leading them off the highway.
• They encounter a disturbing smell and decide to camp despite it.
• A suspicious pickup truck approaches them, escalating tension.

Key Events

• Unexpected Truck Encounter:

  • Old truck with high beams shines at the group, driver does not respond.
  • Nick throws a bottle, breaking a headlight, causing the truck to leave.

• Creepy Night:

  • Carly feels watched; goes out to investigate but finds Wade.
  • Suggests a dangerous lack of caution and safety awareness.

Mistakes and Consequences

• Ignoring Warning Signs:

  • The truck incident hints at danger; they should have left.
  • Lack of preparation for camping in an unknown area.

• Carly's Investigation:

  • She goes outside without a weapon, risking her safety.
  • Staying together as a group would have been wiser.

Daylight Dangers

• Car Trouble:

  • Wade’s car fails due to a broken fan belt.

• Pit of Rotting Meat:

  • Carly discovers a pit while investigating the smell.

• Suspicious Local:

  • They meet the local roadkill collector who offers a ride; Wade and Carly agree, raising alarms.

Arrival at Ambrose

• Gas Station Encounter:
  • Meet Bo, the gas station owner, who is suspiciously friendly.
• House of Wax Visit:
  • Wax figures look like regular people, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

Rising Tension and Horror

• Weird Wax Figures:
  • Carly notices a figure that seems alive, causing alarm.
• Friendship Split:
  • Friends part ways, leading to tragic outcomes.

Character Decisions and Fatal Flaws

• Carly's Mistakes:
  • Should have been more cautious, especially after Wade’s disappearance.
• Wade's Fatal Curiosity:
  • He splits up to explore, leading to his transformation into a wax figure.

Key Incidents

• Carly’s Escape:
  • Trapped by Bo; manages to escape but runs into greater danger.
• Dalton's Demise:
  • Dalton encounters Vincent and meets a gruesome end.

Final Confrontations

• Nick and Carly Team Up:
  • They fight Bo and eventually confront Vincent.
• Destruction of House of Wax:
  • The building begins to melt; they must escape quickly.

Conclusion

• Survival and Reflection:
  • Nick and Carly survive the chaos but at a heavy cost.
  • A final lesson about trust and survival in a horror scenario.

Themes and Lessons

• Never Split Up:

  • Vital in survival situations; sticking together improves chances.

• Trust Your Instincts:

  • Listening to gut feelings can be crucial for safety.

• Preparation is Key:

  • Always be ready for the unexpected, especially in unknown areas.