The Intruder

Thoroughly enjoyed this, did not come on my radar until my mom told me to watch it as she'd enjoyed it so much. Watching on a dark cold January morning on my own probably wasn't the most sensible thing to do as the atmosphere and tension that this film builds was scary to say the least! I really loved the acting, it felt so natural and as the pace is slower that other movies of the same genre, it felt like we could get to know the characters a lot better. I am so pleased I found this and hope others enjoy too. The clever mix of paranoia and anxiety built up a truly tense and fearful environment surrounding such a lovely community. Very well executed.

For what it's worth I really enjoyed this movie. Holes in the plot and resolution, absolutely, but I liked the two lead performances. I watch - or turn off - a lot of 1-2 star quality streaming horror and I considered this an above average find. I'm always looking for that sense of tension and I experienced that with this. It definitely reminded me of living alone and the way my heart would leap if there was a late night knock on the door.

One of those B-grade films, but not too horrible and amusing enough! The writer and director Jack Brame is clearly better at directing than writing! The script is the weakest link, and acting runs very much next to it in incompetence. The plot was basic, with minimal distractions, and it revolved around a young man's paranoia, which spiralled when he became sure that someone was stealing into his home every night. There are too many inconsistencies in the entire plot, so I'll avoid winging it... just watch it with plenty of popcorn and soft drinks and let me know what you think after watching it!

I like the main character here and I thought David Gow did as much as he could with the script he was given. I had problems with several of the "red herrings" that appeared to make no sense (the sleepwalking, the insistence of not calling the police). I am interested to know why the director-writer deliberately avoids establishing the main character as Gay. The subtext is there. We don't have any reasons for the main character's angst. A separation or ending of a long term relationship would have given far more motivation for his personal anxieties. It is still worth a watch and good example of what you can do on a very small budget.

The Intruder follows a young man living on his own for the first time. While some critics are dismissing it as just another home invasion thriller, they're missing what makes it special. This isn't just about things that go bump in the night - it's about that terrifying, exciting moment when you finally have your own place and have to face your fears alone.

Remember that first night in your own house? Every little noise seems like a threat, every shadow looks suspicious, and suddenly you're very aware of every creak and groan of the building. The Intruder takes this universal experience and turns it into something truly unnerving.

The film opens with our protagonist waking up on his living room floor, unsure of how he got there. It's an unsettling start to what becomes an increasingly paranoid existence in his new house. Things keep moving around mysteriously. Footsteps echo through the halls at night. Most terrifying are his episodes of sleep paralysis, where he lies helpless, convinced someone's watching him in the darkness.

While most thrillers would jump straight to the scares, this one takes its time exploring what it really means to face your fears. Is he actually experiencing these things, or is he sleepwalking? Could his neighbor Joe be involved? Everyone around him suggests he's just anxious about living alone - and that's exactly what makes this film so clever. It captures that moment in life when everyone treats your legitimate concerns as just another case of young adult jitters.

What really grabbed me was how the main character's journey mirrors what we all go through when stepping into independence. Between the mysterious disturbances and doubting his own judgment, he's really wrestling with something bigger: learning to trust himself. The lead actor nails this vulnerability, making you feel every moment of uncertainty and growing confidence.

When the shocking truth is finally revealed in the film's climax, it's a gut-punch reminder that sometimes our worst fears aren't just in our heads. What makes the revelation so powerful isn't just the twist itself, but how deeply we've come to understand this character's psychological journey. It's the kind of ending that sends you back through the movie in your mind, picking up all the subtle clues you missed the first time around.

If you're into thrillers that balance genuine character development with spine-chilling suspense, this one's for you. This is a smart, layered film about the terrifying process of learning to trust yourself.