Of Unknown Origin
Of Unknown Origin

Movie spotlight

Of Unknown Origin

1983
Movie
88 min
English

A man who recently completed rebuilding a townhouse becomes obsessed with a rat infestation until it becomes an interspecies duel.

Insights

IMDb6.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes40%
Google Users68%
Director: George P. CosmatosGenres: Horror, Thriller

Plot Summary

A successful corporate executive moves into a new high-rise apartment in Montreal. He soon finds himself terrorized by a giant rat that has taken up residence in his building. As the creature escalates its attacks, the man's grip on reality begins to fray, leading to a terrifying confrontation.

Critical Reception

Of Unknown Origin is a cult favorite among horror fans, often praised for its effective suspense and creature effects, despite its somewhat dated premise. While not a critical darling upon release, it has gained a following for its unique blend of urban isolation and creature feature elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its tension-building and the unsettling nature of its antagonist.

  • Criticized for a slow pace in parts and a less-than-convincing creature design by some.

  • Appreciated for its focus on psychological dread alongside the monster horror.

Google audience: Audience reviews generally highlight the film's ability to create a sense of unease and claustrophobia. Many find the central premise of a man being hunted by vermin in his own home to be effective, though some found the plot to be derivative of other genre films.

Fun Fact

The film's creature effects were designed by Carlo Rambaldi, who also created the iconic E.T. for Steven Spielberg's film.

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TMDB Reviews

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Wuchak

Wuchak

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