The Intruder (1999): A Psychological Thriller with a Twist
If you are looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to check out The Intruder, a 1999 psychological thriller directed by David Bailey. The movie stars Charlotte Gainsbourg as Catherine, a woman who marries a widower named Nick (Charles Powell) and moves into his apartment, only to find out that someone is trying to drive her insane. Is it Nick's dead wife Stella, who was murdered three years ago? Is it Nick himself, who has a dark secret? Or is it someone else who has a grudge against them? The Intruder will keep you guessing until the very end, with a twist that you won't see coming.
Introduction
What is the movie about?
The Intruder is based on the novel of the same name by Brooke Leimas, which was published in 1987. The movie follows the story of Catherine, a young woman who meets Nick, a handsome and charming art dealer, at a gallery. They fall in love and get married, but Catherine soon realizes that Nick's apartment is haunted by his past. His first wife Stella was killed by an intruder three years ago, after a violent struggle. Nick does not like to talk about Stella, who was mentally unstable and had a troubled marriage with him. Catherine becomes curious about Stella and starts to investigate her life and death. However, she also begins to experience strange phenomena in the apartment, such as noises, smells, objects moving or disappearing, and messages on the walls. She suspects that someone is trying to make her think that she is losing her mind, just like Stella did. But who is behind it and why?
the intruder (1999)
Who are the main actors and director?
The Intruder features an international cast of actors, mostly from Europe. The lead role of Catherine is played by Charlotte Gainsbourg, a French-British actress who is known for her roles in movies such as The Cement Garden (1993), 21 Grams (2003), Melancholia (2011), and Nymphomaniac (2013). She is also the daughter of famous singer-songwriter Serge Gainsbourg and actress Jane Birkin. The role of Nick is played by Charles Powell, a Canadian actor who has appeared in movies such as The Assignment (1997), The Score (2001), and Timeline (2003). He also uses the name Charles Edwin Powell in some of his credits. The role of Badge, Nick's business partner and former girlfriend, is played by Nastassja Kinski, a German actress who is known for her roles in movies such as Tess (1979), Cat People (1982), Paris, Texas (1984), and An American Rhapsody (2001). She is also the daughter of famous actor Klaus Kinski. The other supporting roles are played by Molly Parker as Daisy, Nick's friend and neighbor; John Hannah as Charlie, Daisy's boyfriend and a video game programmer; Mike Tsar as Detective Fordham, who investigates Stella's murder; and Marianne Farley as Stella herself.
The director of The Intruder is David Bailey, a British photographer and filmmaker who is known for his work in fashion, art, and celebrity photography. He has also directed several documentaries, commercials, music videos, and short films. The Intruder is his only feature film to date.
What are the main themes and genres?
The Intruder belongs to the genre of psychological thriller, which is a subgenre of thriller that focuses on the mental and emotional states of the characters, often involving suspense, mystery, paranoia, and manipulation. The movie also has elements of horror, drama, and romance. The main themes of the movie are identity, memory, obsession, betrayal, and madness. The movie explores how Catherine's sense of self is challenged by the presence of Stella, who seems to haunt her both literally and figuratively. The movie also examines how Nick's past affects his present and future, and how his secrets and lies endanger his relationship with Catherine. The movie also questions the reliability of perception and memory, as Catherine is unsure of what is real and what is not. The movie also shows how obsession can lead to violence and tragedy, as some characters are willing to do anything to get what they want. The movie also depicts how madness can be contagious and destructive, as Catherine's sanity is threatened by the intruder's actions.
Plot summary
How does the movie start?
The movie starts with a flashback of the night Stella was killed. We see her in the apartment, drinking wine and listening to music. She hears a noise and goes to check it out. She sees a masked intruder in the hallway, who attacks her with a knife. She fights back and manages to stab him in the leg, but he overpowers her and stabs her multiple times in the chest. He then leaves the apartment, leaving behind a bloody trail. The scene then cuts to the present day, where we see Catherine walking in the street. She enters a gallery, where she meets Nick for the first time. He is impressed by her knowledge of art and invites her for a drink. They hit it off and start dating.
How does the relationship between Catherine and Nick develop?
Catherine and Nick fall in love quickly and decide to get married after a few weeks. Nick proposes to Catherine with a ring that belonged to Stella, which he says he wants to give her as a symbol of his love. Catherine accepts and moves into Nick's apartment, which is spacious and luxurious. She meets Daisy, Nick's friend and neighbor, who welcomes her warmly. She also meets Badge, Nick's business partner and former girlfriend, who is cold and hostile towards her. Catherine notices that Nick has many photos of Stella in the apartment, but he does not like to talk about her or her death. He tells Catherine that Stella was mentally ill and that they had a bad marriage. He says that he loved her once, but that he loves Catherine more. He asks Catherine to trust him and not to ask too many questions.
What strange things start happening to Catherine?
Soon after moving in, Catherine starts to experience weird things in the apartment. She hears noises at night, such as footsteps, doors slamming, and glass breaking. She smells Stella's perfume in the bedroom and finds her clothes in the closet. She sees messages on the walls, such as "Get out" and "He's mine". She finds objects that belong to Stella or that remind her of her, such as a necklace, a book, and a painting. She also sees visions of Stella in the mirror, in the shower, and in the bed. She feels like someone is watching her and touching her when she is alone. She becomes scared and paranoid, thinking that someone is trying to drive her crazy or harm her.
Who are the possible suspects and motives?
Catherine suspects that someone is behind the strange phenomena in the apartment, but she does not know who or why. She considers several possibilities:
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Stella's ghost: Catherine wonders if Stella's spirit is haunting the apartment, angry at Nick for remarrying and at Catherine for taking her place. She thinks that Stella might want revenge or justice for her murder.
Nick: Catherine wonders if Nick is playing mind games with her, trying to make her think that she is insane or unworthy of him. She thinks that Nick might have a dark side or a hidden agenda.
Badge: Catherine wonders if Badge is jealous of her relationship with Nick, trying to sabotage it or break it up. She thinks that Badge might still love Nick or resent him for choosing Catherine over her.
Charlie: Catherine wonders if Charlie is obsessed with her or with Stella, trying to scare her or seduce her. She thinks that Charlie might have a crush on her or a fetish for dead women.
The intruder: Catherine wonders if the intruder who killed Stella is still alive and active, trying to finish what he started or target another victim. She thinks that the intruder might have a personal or professional motive for killing Stella.
How does the movie end?
The movie ends with a shocking twist that reveals the true identity and motive of the intruder. It turns out that the intruder is none other than Nick himself, who has been pretending to be Catherine's husband all along. He is actually a serial killer who targets women who look like Stella, his first and only love. He killed Stella by accident, after she found out his secret and tried to escape. He then assumed the identity of Nick, the real art dealer who was his friend and accomplice. He used Nick's apartment as his base, where he kept trophies and clues from his victims. He met Catherine at the gallery, where he recognized her as a perfect match for Stella. He seduced her and married her, planning to kill her on their anniversary, just like he did with Stella. He also staged the strange phenomena in the apartment, using his skills as a video game programmer and a master of disguise. He wanted to make Catherine feel what Stella felt, and to make her love him more. He also wanted to test her loyalty and sanity, and to see if she would discover his secret.
However, his plan is foiled by Daisy and Charlie, who are actually undercover agents working for the FBI. They have been tracking Nick for a long time, suspecting him of being the serial killer known as "The Intruder". They moved into the apartment next door, where they installed surveillance cameras and microphones. They also befriended Catherine, hoping to protect her and gather evidence against Nick. They realized that Nick was planning to kill Catherine on their anniversary, so they decided to intervene. They confronted Nick in the apartment, where they revealed their identities and arrested him. They also rescued Catherine, who was shocked and traumatized by the truth. They explained everything to her and took her to a safe place.
Analysis and review
What are the strengths and weaknesses of the movie?
The Intruder is a movie that has both positive and negative aspects, depending on how you view it. Some of the strengths of the movie are:
The acting: The actors deliver convincing and compelling performances, especially Charlotte Gainsbourg as Catherine and Charles Powell as Nick. They create a believable chemistry and tension between them, making the audience care about their characters and their fate.
The twist: The twist at the end of the movie is surprising and shocking, as it subverts the expectations of the audience and changes the perspective of the whole story. It also adds a layer of complexity and depth to Nick's character, making him more than just a villain.
The atmosphere: The movie creates a dark and eerie atmosphere, using effective cinematography, lighting, sound, and music. The movie also uses psychological elements and symbolism, such as mirrors, paintings, clocks, and dolls, to enhance the mood and theme of the movie.
Some of the weaknesses of the movie are:
The plot: The plot of the movie is somewhat predictable and clichéd, as it follows many tropes and conventions of the genre. The movie also has some plot holes and inconsistencies, such as how Nick managed to fool everyone for so long, or how Daisy and Charlie infiltrated his apartment without being noticed.
The characters: The characters of the movie are not very well-developed or original, as they lack depth and motivation. The movie also relies on stereotypes and archetypes, such as the innocent heroine, the charming psychopath, the jealous ex-girlfriend, and the heroic agents.
The message: The message of the movie is not very clear or profound, as it does not offer much insight or commentary on the topics it explores. The movie also does not have a satisfying resolution or closure for Catherine's character, as she is left traumatized and alone.
How does the movie use psychological elements and twists?
The movie uses psychological elements and twists to create suspense and intrigue for the audience, as well as to challenge their perception and understanding of the story. The movie plays with the idea of reality and illusion, as it makes the audience question what is happening to Catherine and who is responsible for it. The movie also uses the concept of identity and memory, as it shows how Catherine's sense of self is affected by the intruder's manipulation and deception. The movie also uses the motif of the double, as it shows how Nick and Stella are both similar and different, and how they influence Catherine's life and personality. The movie also uses the element of surprise, as it reveals the twist at the end of the movie, which changes everything that the audience thought they knew about the characters and the plot.
How does the movie compare to other similar movies?
The Intruder is a movie that can be compared to other movies that belong to the same genre or that have similar themes or plots. Some of these movies are:
Gaslight (1944): A classic movie that tells the story of a woman who is manipulated by her husband into believing that she is going insane.
The Sixth Sense (1999): A popular movie that tells the story of a boy who can see dead people and a psychologist who tries to help him.
The Others (2001): A spooky movie that tells the story of a woman who lives in a haunted house with her two children.
The Girl on the Train (2016): A recent movie that tells the story of a woman who becomes obsessed with a couple she sees from a train window.
The Intruder can be seen as a combination of these movies, as it borrows some elements and ideas from them, but also adds its own twist and style. The Intruder can be considered as a homage or a tribute to these movies, but also as a unique and original work that stands on its own.
Conclusion
What is the main message and impact of the movie?
The Intruder is a movie that aims to entertain and thrill the audience, but also to make them think and feel. The movie has a main message that warns about the dangers of obsession, deception, and madness, and how they can ruin lives and relationships. The movie also has an impact that leaves the audience shocked and disturbed, but also intrigued and curious. The movie makes the audience question their own reality and identity, and wonder what they would do in Catherine's situation. The movie also makes the audience appreciate their own sanity and security, and value their own love and trust.
Who would enjoy this movie and why?
The Intruder is a movie that would appeal to people who like psychological thrillers, horror movies, or drama movies. It would also appeal to people who like movies with twists, surprises, and mysteries. It would also appeal to people who like movies with complex and interesting characters, especially villains. It would also appeal to people who like movies with dark and eerie atmospheres, effective cinematography, sound, and music. It would also appeal to people who like movies based on books or inspired by other movies.
The Intruder is not a movie for everyone, however. It might not appeal to people who do not like violence, blood, or gore. It might not appeal to people who do not like movies with unrealistic or implausible plots or characters. It might not appeal to people who do not like movies with clichés or stereotypes. It might not appeal to people who do not like movies with ambiguous or unsatisfying endings or messages.
The Intruder is a movie that has its pros and cons, its fans and critics, its strengths and weaknesses. It is a movie that can be enjoyed or disliked, praised or criticized, loved or hated. It is a movie that can be seen as a masterpiece or a disaster, depending on your point of view.
FAQs
Q: Is The Intruder based on a true story?
A: No, The Intruder is not based on a true story. It is based on a novel by Brooke Leimas, which is a fictional work.
Q: How did Nick kill Stella?
A: Nick killed Stella by stabbing her multiple times in the chest with a knife. He then staged the scene to look like an intruder broke into the apartment and attacked her.
Q: How did Daisy and Charlie find out about Nick?
A: Daisy and Charlie found out about Nick by following his trail of clues and evidence. They noticed his resemblance to Stella's killer, his use of Stella's ring, his connection to Nick's apartment, his involvement in art dealing, his skills in video game programming, his trophies from his victims, and his pattern of killing women who look like Stella on their anniversaries. They also used their surveillance equipment and their access to Nick's apartment to confirm their suspicions.
Q: What happened to the real Nick?
A: The real Nick was killed by the fake Nick, who was his friend and accomplice. The fake Nick then assumed his identity and used his apartment as his base. The real Nick's body was never found.
Q: What is the significance of the painting that Catherine finds in the apartment?
A: The painting that Catherine finds in the apartment is a portrait of Stella, painted by the fake Nick. It is one of his trophies from his victims, and also a symbol of his obsession and love for Stella. It also shows his artistic talent and his ability to create illusions.
Q: How does Catherine cope with the trauma of finding out the truth about Nick?
A: The movie does not show how Catherine copes with the trauma of finding out the truth about Nick. It ends with her being taken away by Daisy and Charlie, who promise to help her and protect her. It is implied that Catherine will need a lot of therapy and support to recover from her ordeal, and that she will have a hard time trusting anyone again. 44f88ac181