<P> The film rights were picked up by Rogue Pictures in 2006, with the remake being the first film produced by Wes Craven's new production studio Midnight Pictures . Craven, who wrote and directed the 1972 original, was interested to see what kind of film could be produced on a large budget, as the limited funds in 1972 forced him to eliminate scenes he had wanted to film to tell a complete story . Alleca's original script included elements of the supernatural, which prompted the studio to reject it and bring in Ellsworth to perform a rewrite . One of the elements director Iliadis wanted to avoid with this film, given its graphic nature, was turning it into torture porn--a subgenre of horror popularized by the Saw franchise . For Craven and Iliadis, The Last House on the Left primarily illustrates how even the most normal of families can be driven to evil acts if pushed too far . </P> <P> The film was released on March 13, 2009, and took the top spot away from Watchmen with $5.6 million in weekend revenue . The Last House on the Left was met with mixed reviews from critics . Audience opinion ranked the film at a "B" level, from a scale of "A to F"; the film would ultimately gross $45,286,228 worldwide . </P> <P> Emma (Monica Potter), John Collingwood (Tony Goldwyn), and their daughter, competitive swimmer Mari (Sara Paxton), head out on vacation to their lake house . Shortly thereafter, Mari borrows the family car and drives into town to spend some time with her friend Paige (Martha MacIsaac). While Paige works the cash register at a local store, she and Mari meet Justin (Spencer Treat Clark), a teenager passing through town who invites them both back to his roadside motel room to smoke marijuana . While the three are hanging out in the motel room, Justin's family members return: Krug (Garret Dillahunt), Justin's father; Francis (Aaron Paul), Justin's uncle; and Sadie (Riki Lindhome), Krug's girlfriend . </P> <P> Krug shows Justin a local newspaper that has Krug and Sadie's pictures on the front page, and which explains how Sadie and Francis broke Krug out of police custody and killed the two officers that were transporting him . Believing it too risky to let Paige and Mari go, the gang kidnaps them and uses their car to leave town . While Krug searches for the highway, Mari convinces him to take a road that leads to her parents' lake house; Mari then attempts to jump out of the vehicle, but the ensuing fight among the passengers causes Krug to crash into a tree . Frustrated by Mari's attempt at escape, Sadie and Francis proceed to beat Mari and Paige as they crawl from the wreckage . Krug attempts to teach Justin to "be a man" by forcing him to fondle Mari's breasts . Paige begins insulting him to get him to stop; in response, Krug and Francis stab Paige repeatedly, and Mari watches her friend bleed to death . Krug then rapes Mari . When he is done, Mari musters enough strength to escape the group and make it to the lake so that she can swim to safety . Before she can swim far enough, Krug shoots her in the back, leaving her body floating in the lake . </P>

Who dies in last house on the left