Intruders

Intruders, is an exhilaratingly suspenseful movie released in 2015 directed by Adam Schindler and boasts a talented cast that includes Rory Culkin, Leticia Jimenez, and Jack Kesy, among others. This psychological thriller takes viewers on a thrilling, unexpected ride that is both intriguing and disturbing all at the same time.

The plot centres on Anna, an agoraphobic young woman who, due to a childhood trauma, has not left her family mansion in over a decade. After the death of her brother Conrad (Timothy T. McKinney), Anna (Beth Riesgraf) is left all alone with sizable inherited wealth which is eyed by her brother's attorney who pushes her to sell the mansion. The mansion is not just an ostentatious display of riches, but it houses something far more precious and intimate. It is in fact, Anna's sanctuary, a slice of the world that she understands and can control.

Anna's only meaningful connection, outside of her estate, is conveyed through the character of Dan, portrayed effectively by Rory Culkin. Dan delivers meals to Anna, and through their brief, measured interactions, it’s clear that there is a bonding and mutual understanding. But what ensues breaks the calm rhythm of their life.

A trio of robbers comprised of JP (Jack Kesy), Vance (Joshua Mikel), and Perry (Martin Starr) break into the estate while Anna is apparently alone, because they have heard of Conrad's death, and but they think Anna is at his funeral. The intrusion signals the start of a nightmarish ordeal for Anna, who must defend herself and her home from these outsiders. However, as the evening unfolds, it becomes apparent that the home invaders may have met their match in Anna. The house itself hides its own secrets reflecting Anna's disturbed mindset, and the intruders find themselves embroiled in a labyrinth of psychological warfare and unexpected visceral horror.

Filled with unpredictable plot twists and an overall atmosphere of unease and suspense, "Intruders" artfully delves into themes of loneliness, trauma, and survival. Director Adam Schindler makes excellent use of the film's single location, creating a claustrophobic environment that intensifies the tension and uncertainty. The movie’s music score, composed by Frederik Wiedmann, amplifies the cinematic tension further and the cinematography by Eric Leach finely cuts through the nuanced progression of the movie, making every frame interesting and gripping.

Beth Riesgraf, best known for her role in the TV series "Leverage", delivers a breakthrough performance as Anna. She remarkably portrays the torment of her character and transitions from a vulnerable, scared woman, to someone who holds control and command over the intruders. Rory Culkin also adds a great depth to his character, Dan, with a balanced execution of vulnerability and assertiveness.

The trio of intruders, played by Jack Kesy, Joshua Mikel, and Martin Starr, do justice to their characters, showing a combination of desperation, greed, and terror in equal measure. Each character is given depth and purpose, further adding to the blend of escalating tension and dramatic revelation.

The movie pulls you in right from the first scene and brings you to the edge of your seat with its shocking twists and turns. The narrative is astute and keeps you guessing, subverting expectations at every turn. As much as it is a horror movie, "Intruders" is also a character study, skilfully revealing layers of each character as the movie unfolds.

Intruders masterfully combines elements of horror and thriller to deliver a captivating and bone-chilling cinematic experience. The movie offers an impressively eerie environment loaded with an intense psychological storyline, which offers a refreshing break from traditional home invasion films. It’s a dark, twisted and unexpectedly soul-stirring cinematic piece that will get under your skin and stay there, leaving viewers both unnerved and intrigued.

In conclusion, this is certainly not a movie for the faint-hearted, but for those who enjoy taut, smart thrillers with an air of the macabre, Intruders makes for a thoroughly entertaining watch. If you're a fan of genres that blend suspense, mystery, horror, and psychological mind games, you'll find Intruders to be a satisfyingly chilling adventure, filled with plenty of unexpected surprises.