The 4th Floor

The 4th Floor is a late 90's creepy thriller directed by Josh Klausner, starring Juliette Lewis, William Hurt, and Shelley Duvall. It combines elements of suspense, horror, and psychological drama to create a compelling narrative that delves into the changing relationships within an eerie apartment building.

The 4th Floor is set largely within the boundaries of an old, ominous-looking apartment building, which sets the tone for a chilling narrative. The central character, Jane Emelin is portrayed by Juliette Lewis, who impressively navigates the undercurrent of tension and fear that possesses her character throughout the film. Gifted with an apartment by her deceased aunt, Jane rapidly realizes that this gift may not be the windfall it initially appeared to be.

Jane’s new world in the apartment is not only filled with a struggle to maintain personal relationships, but also with challenges from her own immediate environment. William Hurt plays Jane's boyfriend, Greg Harrison, whose role in Jane’s life starts to take a toll as they navigate the mazes of their own relationship against the backdrop of the events unfolding in her new apartment. Relationships skew, tensions rise, and what was once familiar starts to appear alien.

Shelley Duvall plays Martha Stewart, a character reminiscent of her earlier roles in psychological horror films. She is Jane's older, unpredictable neighbor who makes Jane's life uncomfortable by her intrusive behaviour. Duvall's performance adds an extra layer of unpredictability, teetering wonderfully between coping with her loneliness and a descent into paranoia, which adds to the thrill and suspense of the film.

We follow Jane as she pulls at the threads of this unsettling tapestry, revealing more of the horrifying image hidden within. This new environment becomes increasingly hostile for her psychologically, impacting not just her new life in the apartment, but also her existing relationships. A series of bizarre events and unexplainable incidents further enhance the suspense, as Jane attempts to decipher what is merely unfortunate happenstance and what could potentially be a threat to her very safety.

The cinematography is a critical component of the film. Klausner uses the limitations of the apartment setting to effectively escalate the tension and fear throughout the story. The tight, claustrophobic interior is contrasted against the high shots of the seemingly unending floors above Jane's. These elements conjure a sense of discomfort, paranoia and claustrophobia, making it palpable to the viewers. The use of shadows and low lighting also contributes to the eerie atmosphere of this suspenseful thriller.

The soundtrack, composed by Brian Tyler, underlines the events on screen perfectly, progressively building and enhancing the charged atmosphere with each scene. Sound effects are strategically placed to amplify the suspense and unpredictability, from the confusion of distorted voices echoing through the apartment to the ominous scratching and creaking noises heightening the tense atmosphere.

While the narrative leans heavily into classic horror and suspense tropes, The 4th Floor offers an intriguing psychological component. As Jane's solitude, stress and paranoia surges, the viewer is left questioning the reliability of Jane's experiences, wondering if what lurks on the 4th floor is genuinely threatening, or simply a projection of Jane's steadily fracturing psyche.

This film not only works as a horrific thriller but also explores psychological and relational dynamics in a confined setting where outside and familiar social controls, comforts, and support are minimal. The 4th Floor takes the viewer on a journey through anxiety, paranoia, and suspicion, making one question their perceptions of reality and the unending human desire to feel safe and protected in one's own home.

In conclusion, The 4th Floor is an eerie suspense-filled thriller elevated by the performances of Lewis, Hurt, and Duvall. For anyone who enjoys the genre of psychological horror, this film is a captivating choice with its high stakes narrative intensified by its claustrophobic setting, atmospheric score, and memorable performances. It keeps viewers on the edge of their seats as it explores the underlying fear, suspense and drama of urban living beyond the familiar.