Almost without exception, Posey's numerous film roles have been one-note extensions of her ditzy, freewheeling public persona, but in The House of Yes she shows an emotional range only hinted at in her other movies. The scream Posey lets out when Marty reveals that he's engaged is a shriek that transforms itself into breathless, hysterical laughter. It's a great display of technique, but more importantly, it paints a vivid picture of how close Jackie-O is to going over the edge. Waters is justifiably proud of Posey's performance. When she had tired herself out being fabulous, she could sit down and actually be in the scene.
Every farce needs one genuinely shocking idea.
Jackie-O and Marty have invented for consummating their incestuous passion. Marty sits on the couch and waves to an imaginary crowd,smiling blankly. Then, of course, they screw. We don't show the Zapruder film. Although The House of Yes is effective as a farcical character study, Waters' lack of self-consciousness prevents the movie from working as satire.