Dennis Quaid Embraces Creepy in The Intruder

Buying a new house comes with many things for a new couple.  Some are getting comfortable with each other in the same space.  Some have outgrown their current space and some just want to grab that dream home which has eluded them and their pocketbook.  Enter the Russells.

Scott (Michael Ealy) and Annie Russell (Meagan Goode) couldn’t be happier after buying their dream home from a mysterious, creepy widower named Charlie (Dennis Quaid) in Napa Valley. Charlie couldn’t seem nicer until it’s still discovered that he is strangely still emotionally and physically attached to the Russell’s’ new home…literally turnng their newfound paradise into a nightmare. When his erratic behavior (like showing up to mow the lawn) turns to obsession, Scott and Annie not only begin to question the motives of Charlie, but their trust in each other becomes damaged.

The Intruder is classic thriller with many Hitchcock-ish jump moments to the point where I think I gave myself whiplash.  Having said that the movie is full of horror/thriller cliché’s that we have seen in other films like Pacific Heights, Psycho and The Hand That Rocks The Cradle.  Plot twists like the killer living in the basement, fighting over a balcony and obsession over the female lead as an excuse for the person in question to do their dirty deeds, etc. But, there are just as many laugh out loud moments that assist in making this flick enjoyable. Not to  the mention the fact that we are viewing a black couple wealthy well enough to splurge for this sprawling piece of land and I’m down for every moment of that.

Moments where Charlie feels some kind of way about a room being redecorated that hadn’t been changed in 20 years or the #MeToo manner in which he tries to seduce Annie over pizza and wine are just a few of the tipping points where you know Charlie isn’t playing with a full deck.  Dennis Quaid is the King of Creep for this flick and I’m not quite sure I can see him as a good guy ever again.  In that respect, Deon Taylor’s directing was right on point.  Love me some Michael Ealy and Meagan Goode, but felt like The Intruder didn’t leave them a whole lot to work with.

Produced by Screen Gems and Sony Pictures, The Intruder will hit you on May 3rd.