The rules, rules these people break. Don't go in the basement. Don't go off by yourself. These people are just stupid. The house itself is pretty standard scary stuff.
Lights blink on and off, blood oozes down walls, muffled voices cry out people's names.
When the evil being finally does materialize, it isn't that frightening. In fact, Rush twirling his mustache is a more fear-inspiring sight. Also, you can tell the evil spirit is really just computer-generated special effects. There are a few shocks and surprises along the way. One scene near the beginning involving some pencils is fairly gruesome.