Although it
attempts to add a new twist to home invasion horror, the revisionist ideas in Intruders aren’t even original to this
recently popularized sub-genre. The blurring of lines between victim and
villain is a familiar trope in nearly all revenge films as well as sharing
similar space in recent confinement horror such as 10 Cloverfield Lane
Anna (Beth
Riesgraf) has lived alone with her ill brother for years, deathly afraid to
leave the house and reliant on food delivery from hospice care. When her
brother finally passes, a group of thieves make the assumption that Anna will
be out of the house during the funeral and takes this opportunity to break into
the house. Hiding in the many corners of the home she has spent all of her time
in is the only option Anna has, unable to flee out of fear of the open spaces
beyond her front door. It isn’t until the intruders discover Anna’s hidden
secret in the basement of the home that this shifts away from typical home
invasion tropes.
Though the
film’s twists are not nearly as satisfactory in the revelation as the suspense
leading up, there is some enjoyment to be found in the committed performances
from the cast. This is clearly Riesgraf’s film, Anna’s character providing the
most depth in the cast, but it was Martin Starr’s surprising turn as a villain
which had me most engaged. Primarily known for his comedic work, Starr is cast
against type with fantastic results. Disguised by a full beard, it was Starr’s
voice that I first recognized among the collection of thieves. While many of
the other intruders are merely opportunists, there is a sick satisfaction in
the way Perry (Starr) carries out the task.
Intruders never fully drops the ball,
but it is also far from being a home run. The problem comes more from the
over-saturated market than content in the film itself. Perhaps without having
viewed an assortment of other films in this sub-genre, Intruders would be shocking to some degree. The home invasion films
of the past have been notoriously graphic and suspenseful in ways that this
film can’t quite compete with, so that the resolution and climactic sequences
are far less memorable than the premise itself.
The DVD includes
a behind-the-scenes featurette, as well as a cast and crew commentary track.
Entertainment Value:
6/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 6/10
Historical
Significance: 2/10
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