Dennis Quaid switches places from being the haunted in the 2003 film, “Cold Creek Manor” to the nemesis in the 2019 thriller, “The Intruder.” Quaid plays Charlie Peck a devious retiree.
The psychological thriller also stars “Think Like a Man” stars, Michael Ealy and Meagan Good as Scott and Annie Howard, while Joseph Sikora (Tommy Egan in Power) plays Mike, Scott’s best friend.
Sikora is much like his character in the TV series “Power.” Mike drives a fast Audi. He has an imposing personality. Mike is confident and daring but not deadly like Tommy Egan is in “Power.”
“The Intruder” opens with Mike hurriedly driving Scott home for a surprise party. Scott is a New York city advertising top shot. He has a big break at work and his wife, Annie throws him a shindig. At the party he tells Annie she can now have her dream house.
They check out Charlie’s property. The couple meet Charlie under questionable circumstances. Scott is not sold but Annie instantly falls in love with the property. It would require Scott driving 90 minutes to work everyday but Annie loves the house. She doesn’t want to raise kids in the city, so Scott buys it.
The house holds a lot of sentimental value for him but he has to sells it because he is in debt. However, he tells the new owners that he is moving-in with his daughter. Things soon get creepy when Charlie won’t let go.
Unlike Scott, Annie is naive and trusting. She trusts everyone except her husband. Consequently, she ignores all the warnings signs until it’s almost too late.
“The Intruder” is not an original idea – it’s similar to the “Cold Creek Manor.” However, David Loughery’s screenplay is seriously lacking. The characters in most thrillers continually make choices in a bid to create suspense. “The Intruder” is no exception and as such, the plot becomes predictable.
Furthermore, the indifference with which a person’s disappearance is treated is doubtful. Not even his wife is searching for him. But Quaid does a fantastic job and makes the movie watchable. One minute, he is wearing a smirk. The next, he cannot hide his disapproval with an overtly dramatic look. He is a delight to watch. The cinematography coupled with Quaid’s performance will make your heart pound and perhaps, you’ll scream.
“The Intruder” is showing in theatres across the country.
Director: Deon Taylor
Cast: Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, Dennis Quaid, Joseph Sikora, Alvina August
Image: Hollywood Reporter
