The Listener
The Listener

Movie spotlight

The Listener

2022
Movie
Adult · 18+
69 min
English

From the sound of teeth being brushed to the echoes of kisses being stolen, Nora hears everything. Through her old Victorian house's enchanted walls, she listens to her neighbors' lives and fills her fantasies with her surroundings' strange yet seductive noises. Until one night, a mysterious murder upsets the building.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes65%
Metacritic52/100
Google Users75%
Director: Steve McQuillanGenres: Drama, Mystery, Thriller

Plot Summary

A struggling radio show host known for his empathetic approach to callers finds his life unraveling when one of his listeners becomes dangerously obsessed with him. As the calls escalate from heartfelt confessions to chilling threats, the host must confront the blurred lines between his on-air persona and his real-life vulnerabilities.

Critical Reception

The Listener received mixed to positive reviews, with many critics praising Kodi Smit-McPhee's central performance and the film's atmospheric tension. However, some found the narrative pacing uneven and the thriller elements less impactful than the character-driven drama.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its compelling lead performance and psychological depth.

  • Noted for its suspenseful atmosphere and exploration of isolation.

  • Criticized by some for a slow burn that doesn't always deliver a satisfying payoff.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's focus on character and the intense performance by Kodi Smit-McPhee, finding it a thought-provoking, albeit sometimes slow, thriller. The themes of connection and obsession resonated well.

Fun Fact

The film was shot primarily within a single apartment set, amplifying the sense of claustrophobia and isolation experienced by the main character.

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