While the home invasion sub-genre has been around for quite some time, there have been numerous titles over the last few years that have helped elevate it to the next level. Films such as The Aggression Scale and You’re Next have upped the ante when it comes to creativity and excitement, adding entirely new elements to the popular home invasion formula. Another film that has managed to do just that is Adam Schindler’s Intruders.
Anna (Beth Riesgraf, TV’s “Leverage”) suffers from severe agoraphobia and has not left her home in over 10 years. After the death of her ill brother, Conrad (Timothy McKinney), she is left all alone, incapable of even attending Conrad’s funeral. Not aware of the fact that Anna doesn’t ever leave her home, some opportunistic criminals attempt to break in and rob her, only to find her still present. Unable to flee, Anna turns the table on the intruders and locks them in her basement. The men soon learn that Anna’s agoraphobia is not the only unique thing about her…
Judging by the [awesome] cover art of the Intruders home release, I thought I was getting myself into another You’re Next, where the female victim ends up being some kick-ass chick who takes out all of the unwelcomed guests. That wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing, considering I thoroughly enjoyed Adam Wingard’s film, but I was actually pleasantly surprised and presented a film with enough twists and turns to keep me guessing the entire time. Our protagonist, Anna, is indeed a female victim who gets the better of her assailants, but she is not the strong, take-no-prisoner female that Sharni Vinson portrays in the 2011 home invasion flick. Instead, Beth Riesgraf’s character is a girl who has experienced quite a bit in her life and in turn, with the help of her brother, has developed a unique toolbox to fix any problem that may come her way.
The storyline and plot twists were not the only surprising things about Intruders. The cast is a mix of some very talented people who I never would have imagined would be thrown together in a film of this nature. Alongside Riesgraf is Rory Culkin (brother of Macaulay) who I personally have not seen on screen since Signs and Martin Starr who I’ve only experienced in comedic roles alongside the likes of Seth Rogen, among others. I loved the performances by everyone I’ve mentioned, especially Starr. His character, Perry, is far from anything I’ve ever seen him do before and I was surprised at how well he was able to pull off the ‘tough guy’ persona. He was clearly the hot head of the group and his portrayal of that character was on point. Everyone did a wonderful job and there were really no weak links in this entire cast.
Although it is an independent film with a limited budget, Intruders looks great from start to finish. The cinematography is impressive and I loved how they portrayed what Anna was feeling once she was thrown out of her home for the first time in a decade. The distorted sound and visuals really drove home what it might be like for someone suffering from this phobia. Additionally, the film uses all practical effects. With realistic blood spraying everywhere, I know horror fans from all over will be pleased with this one.
Intruders is a unique film and a solid entry in the home invasion sub-genre. It brings an original and creative script to the table and with multiple plot twists is very unpredictable, leaving viewers guessing what will be coming next the entire time. The acting is top-notch and the effects are impressive, making this an easy one to recommend to all home invasion and horror fans alike. Be sure to pick up a copy of the film, now available on DVD from Momentum Pictures.
I give this flick 4 hidden rooms out of 5.
