Intruders

First time director Adam Schindler has crafted a fun, emotional, and original thriller based on a nifty script by T.J. Cimfel and David White.

Originally titled "Shut In," "Intruders" is a single-location horror film that centers on Anna (played by the uncanny Kate Hudson lookalike Beth Riesgraf), a young agoraphobic woman who lives in an old house in the South, taking care of her dying brother. Her only visitors are a lawyer (Leticia Jimenez) and the kid who delivers her and her brother's daily meals played by Rory Culkin.

Those two in particular clearly have chemistry, so much so that Anna offers the kid a bag full of cash for him to move away and start a "real life." He refuses, and their attraction suddenly takes a back seat. This is more a result of the fact that Anna is uncomfortable with intimacy, and we get hints that it links back to how her deceased father raised the two siblings. Soon enough, her brother dies and, despite her best attempts, Anna's condition won't let her leave the house for his funeral. Cue the intruders.

Figuring that Anna won't be home, three tough guys break into the house looking for the cash that Anna had offered her delivery friend. (It's literally out in the open throughout the entire film, which is hilariously adroit.) The three men (Jack Kesy, Joshua Mikel, and "Freaks and Geeks" alum Martin Starr) soon tear the place apart trying to get their hands on the money. None of them treat Anna too well, especially Starr's character, who tries to force her outside even though doing so causes her immediate distress.

What we expect to happen now is for Anna to keep fending off her attackers and ultimately make her way outside -- despite her body's best wishes. Alas, the film doesn't exactly take this direct route, and instead twists and turns until you realize that Anna's past -- not to mention her home -- isn't exactly what it appears to be.

If you watch the trailer some of the surprises are given away, so I won't reveal them here (and I'd urge you not to watch the trailer). The second and third acts of the film are fun, surprising, and ultimately a bit icky. The payoff reveal is a bit anti-climactic, but there is so much to praise here its well worth your time if you are a fan of horror films and thrillers.

One of the best things about this film is the handsome cinematography and the set design of the house, which becomes a character on its own -- as more of its skeleton is revealed, the house gets more interesting. While the three intruders are all effective, Martin Starr makes the biggest impression. Mostly known for clueless, nerdy roles, here he is deliciously terrifying. He's not a big guy, but he has a malevolence that is unnerving.

The other great thing is Riesgraf. Within minutes of the film, you know you're not going to get B (or C) movie trappings. Her performance is layered and real, and she grounds the film in a way that many thrillers don't get to. This is a first-class performance in a first-class thriller. Sure, there aren't big names and it won't get a huge theatrical release, but it is satisfying, thrilling entertainment that will (hopefully) make Riesgraf a bigger star and mark the beginning of a long career for director Schindler.