Is House of Wax Based on a True Story? Ending Explained

Wondering whether is House of Wax based on a true story or not? Many are curious about the film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, so let's discuss more about the House of Wax movie in this article.

by Ushapriyanga

Updated Apr 04, 2023

Is House of Wax Based on a True Story? Ending Explained
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House of Wax Wiki  

In 2005, a slasher film called House of Wax marked the directorial debut of Jaume Collet-Serra and starred a cast that included Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, and Paris Hilton. The movie was loosely based on the 1953 film of the same name, which was itself a remake of the 1933 film Mystery of the Wax Museum. The screenplay was written by Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes, with the story based on "The Wax Works" by Charles S. Belden. The film's soundtrack featured music by popular bands such as Deftones, My Chemical Romance, and Interpol. While the movie premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and grossed over $70 million worldwide, critics had mixed or average reviews, citing issues with the lack of originality, characters, and screenplay, while praising the performances and atmosphere. 

Is House of Wax Based on a True Story?

During the early 2000s, the horror genre was in a state of transition with the decline of the "Scream" franchise and the emergence of the "Saw" Warner Bros. sought to capitalize on these varying styles by remaking the 1953 classic horror film "House of Wax," directed by Jaume Collett-Serra, who brought a modern teen slasher approach to the story. The film featured a cast of popular actors from the '00s, including Elisha Cuthbert, Jared Padalecki, Paris Hilton, and Chad Michael Murray. Although it received mixed reviews from critics and fans on Rotten Tomatoes, it was successful at the box office, grossing almost $70 million globally. The film's production faced a major setback when a fire destroyed a significant portion of the set, which was constructed on Australia's Gold Coast. Despite this disaster, the film was completed and released, with many praising Collett-Serra's direction. It is unknown whether "House of Wax" is based on a true story or not.

Is House of Wax a Real Story?

During the production of the 2005 horror film "House of Wax," an accidental fire broke out reportedly due to an unattended candle. Fortunately, no one was harmed, but the set suffered severe damages costing approximately $10 million. Despite the setback, the production was able to continue thanks to insurance coverage. While the film didn't receive much critical acclaim, it still performed well at the box office, grossing almost $70 million worldwide. However, the fire serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of filmmaking and the potential for unforeseen events to impact production.

Despite the challenges that can arise during filmmaking, there are instances where accidents or unexpected moments can lead to memorable and iconic scenes in movies. In the horror genre, there have been several examples of such instances, where the improvisation or unexpected actions of actors have resulted in iconic moments. From improvised lines to unscripted reactions, these moments serve as a reminder that sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect them. 

House of Wax Based Plot  

Carly, Wade, Nick, Paige, Dalton, and Blake camped in a forest on their way to a football game. A stranger in a pickup truck arrived and left after Nick smashed one of his headlights. The next day, Wade discovered his car's fan belt was broken. A man named Lester offered to drive Carly and Wade to Ambrose while the rest went to the game. In Ambrose, Carly and Wade met Bo who offered to sell them a fan belt and drive them back to their car after attending a funeral. They visited a wax museum while waiting and followed Bo back to his house for the fan belt. Wade was attacked and knocked unconscious by Bo's twin brother Vincent, and Carly was taken to the gas station cellar. Meanwhile, Nick and Dalton arrived in Ambrose to look for Carly and Wade. Eventually, they found the wax figures in the museum were actually wax-coated corpses. Bo and Vincent chased Carly and Nick into the House of Wax. In the end, Bo was beaten to death, and Vincent was stabbed in the back and fell through the floor. The next day, it was revealed that Ambrose had been abandoned for ten years, and Lester was Bo and Vincent's other brother.

House of Wax Ending Explained 

"House of Wax," released in 2005, was the last horror remake by Dark Castle Entertainment, a production company launched in 1999 by Joel Silver and Robert Zemeckis to create big-budget CGI versions of William Castle movies. The movie starred Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, Paris Hilton, and Jared Padalecki and was loosely based on the 1953 film, which itself was a remake of "Mystery of the Wax Museum" from 1933. The plot follows a group of college kids on their way to a football game who experience car trouble and end up in Ambrose, a mostly abandoned town. After an encounter at a funeral, Carly and Wade visit the House of Wax museum to fix their car, but things quickly take a turn for the worse. Wade is trapped in wax, and Carly is kidnapped. Her brother Nick comes to the rescue, but the group's troubles are far from over.

Where was House of Wax Filmed? 

The movie House of Wax was filmed at Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia, with the town set constructed in the Guanaba area. It had a successful opening weekend, grossing $12 million in 3,111 theaters, and went on to earn $70 million worldwide, including $32 million from North American ticket sales and $42 million from VHS/DVD rentals. To promote the film, a marketing campaign titled "See Paris Die" was launched, playing off the controversial casting of Paris Hilton and promising a gruesome demise for her character. Hilton even created shirts featuring the slogan. Recently, on July 13, 2021, a collector's edition Blu-Ray of House of Wax was released by Scream Factory in the US and Canada.

House of Wax Review

The film "House of Wax" follows a group of college students who make the same fatal mistakes as the characters in classic horror films, despite being in their 20s. After taking a detour on their way to a football game, they end up in a creepy town that resembles the Texas Chainsaw Theme Park. Despite warning signs, such as a terrible smell and a creepy local man, the students decide to camp in the dark, brooding woods for the night. The next morning, they discover that their fan belt is broken, and two of them foolishly take a ride into town to find a replacement. The town seems deserted, except for a few people attending a funeral, and the House of Wax, which dominates the town's skyline. Although there are warning signs everywhere, the students are oblivious to the danger they are in, and their ignorance leads to their downfall.

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Is House Of Wax Based on a True Story-FAQs

1. What is House of Wax?

House of Wax is a 2005 horror film directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and starring Elisha Cuthbert, Chad Michael Murray, and Paris Hilton.

2. Where was House of Wax filmed?

House of Wax was filmed at Warner Bros. Movie World in Australia, with the town set constructed a few miles down the road in the Guanaba area.

3. How much did House of Wax gross?

House of Wax grossed $12 million in its opening weekend and earned $70 million worldwide, $32 million of which came from North American receipts.

4. Is House of Wax a remake?

Yes, House of Wax is a remake of the 1953 Vincent Price film of the same name.