The Lodger
The Lodger

Movie spotlight

The Lodger

1967
Movie
90 min
Polish

A pleasant, open-faced young man comes to live in a boarding house with three peculiar women.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Director: Bramwell FletcherGenres: Horror, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

In this adaptation of Marie Belloc Lowndes' novel, a disturbed woman, the wife of a retired Inspector, becomes convinced that their new, mysterious lodger is the notorious 'Whistler' serial killer terrorizing London. As the disappearances and murders continue, she becomes increasingly paranoid, despite her husband's skepticism. The tension mounts as she attempts to gather evidence and protect herself and her household from the man living under their roof.

Critical Reception

While an interesting attempt to bring the classic novel to the screen with a solid cast, "The Lodger" (1967) received a mixed to negative reception. Critics often pointed to its slow pacing and a lack of the suspense and terror found in earlier adaptations, though some noted Christopher Lee's chilling performance.

What Reviewers Say

  • Christopher Lee's performance as the enigmatic lodger is a standout.

  • The film suffers from a lack of tension and a slow narrative pace.

  • It fails to capture the psychological horror of the source material.

Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce and generally indicate a disappointment in the film's inability to deliver genuine thrills, often citing a dated feel and predictable plot progression.

Fun Fact

This was the third film adaptation of Marie Belloc Lowndes' 1913 novel 'The Lodger', following Alfred Hitchcock's 1927 silent film and John Brahm's 1944 thriller.

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