Many months ago, I found The Resident (R; 91 minutes) on Blu-ray at a Dollar Tree store. Since I’ve been in a Hammer mood, I finally got around to watching it the other night. It’s a 2011 Hammer Films production starring Hilary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, with a small appearance by Hammer legend Christopher Lee.
The movie is directed and co-written by Antti J. Jokinen. It centers on Juliet (played by Hilary Swank), a New York surgeon who moves into an apartment building owned by Max (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan). She sets her eyes on him for a rebound fling, but decides against it after a few awkward moments. Plus, she still has feelings for her ex, Jack (played by Lee Pace).
At first glance, Max is a kindhearted man trying to renovate his family’s apartment building and take care of his ailing grandfather, August (played by Christopher Lee). However, Max is hiding a deep secret - he’s a psychopath with a fixation on Juliet.
The movie is directed and co-written by Antti J. Jokinen. It centers on Juliet (played by Hilary Swank), a New York surgeon who moves into an apartment building owned by Max (played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan). She sets her eyes on him for a rebound fling, but decides against it after a few awkward moments. Plus, she still has feelings for her ex, Jack (played by Lee Pace).
At first glance, Max is a kindhearted man trying to renovate his family’s apartment building and take care of his ailing grandfather, August (played by Christopher Lee). However, Max is hiding a deep secret - he’s a psychopath with a fixation on Juliet.
Final Thoughts
It has the perfect cast, setting, and atmosphere, however, it's generic and predictable. There's nothing wrong with the directing. The problem is with the screenplay and the "twist." This twist is lame, and the film suffers from it.
Hilary Swank does a superb job as the heroine, Jeffrey Dean Morgan gives a twisted performance as the villain, and Christopher Lee is a screen stealer. His role is small but bittersweet.
The Resident is an average thriller that you will forget as soon as the credits roll. However, for horror fans, it’s the last Hammer appearance by the late Christopher Lee. So the film might appeal to others more than the average moviegoers.
Hilary Swank does a superb job as the heroine, Jeffrey Dean Morgan gives a twisted performance as the villain, and Christopher Lee is a screen stealer. His role is small but bittersweet.
The Resident is an average thriller that you will forget as soon as the credits roll. However, for horror fans, it’s the last Hammer appearance by the late Christopher Lee. So the film might appeal to others more than the average moviegoers.
No comments:
Post a Comment
“The plot thickens… especially when you comment.” 〜B.J. Burgess