In the new era of streaming it seems that old genres are getting revitalised for new interpretations. This is another recent throwback to the psycho-thriller genre which peaked some twenty years ago, but it's far worse than most movies made at that time. Instead it's a cheap and cheesy effort in which a cardboard cut-out pair of leads move into a new home to discover that the old owner refuses to leave. The characters are badly written and unsympathetic and the actors not much better; the most fun one of the lot is old-timer Dennis Quaid and even he overacts horribly at certain moments. The whole thing smacks of cliche and builds up to the most typical climax you'll ever see coming.

Scott (Michael Ealy) and Annie (Meagan Good) are an upwardly mobile couple in San Francisco. She is excited to buy a lavish home in the country from Charlie Peck (Dennis Quaid). To Scott's frustration, Charlie keeps hanging around and befriending his wife. He starts to suspect that Charlie is unstable with ulterior motives.

Dennis Quaid plays the character very much on the nose. He is never that far away from creepy. It would be better to have less of that since he is supposed to be skilled at keeping appearances. Also the movie could play a bit more "is he or isn't he crazy". It's undeniable from the start and that takes away any chance of a mystery. It becomes nothing more than waiting for him to go fully berserk. That is a little value but mostly it's a tiresome waiting game. There is no real tension to this thriller.

In San Francisco, the couple Scott (Michael Ealy) and Annie (Meagan Good) are happily married. When Scott is promoted in his job, Annie asks him to move to Napa Valley to raise a family with children of their own. They negotiate and buy the old house that belongs to the structural engineer and widower Charlie Peck (Dennis Quaid). But soon Scott notes that Charlie is always in his real estate and is hitting on Annie and he decides to investigate with his friend Mike (Joseph Sikora) who Charlie is.

"The Intruder" is a predictable thriller full of clichés. It is amazing but the viewer foresees the next scenes. The cast is only reasonable; Dennis Quaid is too old for the role and Meagan Good´s character Annie is too naive. The best part of the film is the location. My vote is three.

Title (Brazil): "Hóspede Indesejado" ("Unwanted Guest")