Room for Rent (2019) User Reviews

Interesting

[mjsreg · 6/10 · 3 June 2019]

Those who saw Lin Shaye billed and automatically thought this would be a horror will be disappointed. It is a suspense/thriller.

It is a strong story and the acting by all the cast is superb. As ever, Lin Shaye brings another diverse character to life in her performance as recently widowed Joyce.

The production is OK, but could have done with more emphasis on some of the darker moments to make it more menacing and keep the viewer guessing for a bit longer.

Some people won't like the ending, and more could have been made of it.

Even so, still a good film to watch.

Quite shocking in parts and worth a watch!

[omendata · 6/10 · 11 May 2019]

Lin Shaye is good in whatever she stars in - she could wear a sack and gag and still steal the show and she does it in spades in this film.

Some of the scenes I found quite shocking and I am not easily shocked; notably the scene with the young thugs trying to molest her. Coupled with some very weird dialogue it does push this film into the more disturbing thriller/horror shelves. It is also quite sad in many ways illustrating the loneliness of being on your own in later years and the search for meaning.

Sadly the film although better than average, never rises above that due to the writing and lack of tension, the story just seems to meander all over the place as if it was written by several people or chopped to much in the cutting room.

Still it makes a good job of what it has to work with and is a lot better than some of the awful so called high budget movies being pumped out; seemingly daily.

Some reviewer said he did not understand the ending; seems simple to me she killed everyone in order to have the child she was obviously missing and once she had returned from Holiday and the baby had been born she obviously killed the young girl and was now Grandma to the kid - seemples but seems some folks need it spelled out for them!

Meh....

[Foutainoflife · 5/10 · 11 May 2019]

Upon the death of her husband, an older woman is put in the position of needing to find a way to take care of herself financially. She opens her home as a bed and breakfast and soon becomes attached to one of her guests.

So, this isn't a bad film but there's not much to be said about it. It is a psychological thriller but there isn't much thrill to it at all. The creepy factor is there and you wonder what is coming next but there is no real climax. You are just stuck watching a slow but steady deterioration of a woman's mental state but the bang isn't there and the viewer is left feeling unsatisfied.

If you are ok with the pace and the lack of a climax, check it out. If you can't stand those things, you probably should pass this one up.

No Idea How This Is Rated So Highly Unless the Crew Is Voting It Up

[vegicat · 3/10 · 8 May 2019]

Don't get me wrong -- Lin Shaye can act, and she does a great job being creepy in this movie. Problem is, the other male and female actors can't act at all. It's like she's in a real movie, and they are doing a student film as their first acting job. They seriously cannot act. Wooden, like they barely just memorized their lines.

It doesn't help that the relationship between those two is just about as fake, stereotypical, and unbelievable as you can get. I mean, they barely meet one day, and the next night they're sleeping together in his landlord's house? And, they have zero chemistry, so that makes it even more annoying and eye-rolling.

The movie starts off on the wrong foot to begin with. Who would somehow forge a bond with the owner of a BNB within 24 hours, and based on the owner not liking their boyfriend, break up with them? And, then start a penpal friendship up even though you barely knew the person for a day?

Seriously, the movie should have been a one-woman show, because Lin shines, but the story/acting regarding the other characters is terrible.

Lin Shaye Has A Room For You

[annablair-19191 · 7/10 · 4 October 2019]

Lin Shaye has long been one of the hardest working and most underappreciated character actresses out there. Even if you don't know her name, you'd recognize her face and Room For Rent appears to be the first time she's been tasked with headlining a film all by herself and she proves to be more than up for the challenge.

After her husband's death, a painfully awkward widow (Shaye) is left penniless and decides to open up her spare room for guests. A handsome younger man takes her up on the offer and, in no time at all, she's snooping through his things, using his toothbrush and deodorant (in a comically creepy scene), and dressing up in a provocative manner to entice him. She's not going to let this one go and she'll fix anyone who gets in the way.

Room For Rent is low on style and scares, but there's a true human element to the story that many films of this type miss out on. The concept and material wouldn't feel out of place as an afternoon movie on the Lifetime network (and the production values are about the same), but Shaye's performance and a few disturbing touches keep it just barely out of those swampy waters.

Unfortunately, a lot of the other actors aren't up to Shaye's level and the film does suffer because of this. Some of the dialogue doesn't always help as in one scene where a group of young punks terrorize her on her way back home. No one in this scene resembles a real human being (even Shaye suffers during this bit) and one wonders why it's even in the film since these kids are only in two scenes and never heard from again. One wishes Shaye would have taken a kitchen knife to them at least.

Not Bad!

[gwnightscream · 5/10 · 3 January 2020]

This 2019 thriller stars Lin Shaye, Oliver Rayon and Valeska Miller. Shaye (Insidious) plays Joyce, a lonely yet disturbed, widow who decides to open a bed & breakfast in her home. She meets a young woman, Sarah (Miller) whom she befriends and soon Joyce meets Bob (Rayon), a handsome loner whom she becomes obsessed with. Joyce wants the life she never had with a baby and will take extreme measures if anyone gets in her way. This isn't bad, it has dramatic & tense moments and Shaye is great as usual. Give this one a try if you're into psychological thrillers.

The BEST WORST movie ever!

[laragi · 7/10 · 13 July 2019]

I really enjoyed this strange, sad, and laughable film. It has a lot of the truisms of life embedded in it. It's a step up from a Lifetime film with an odd lesson from a female perspective.

Why, nothing new and outside lead bad acting

[gustheaffen · 3/10 · 18 December 2019]

Not a terribly original story and no real spin. Very low production with unknown supporting cast that were not very good. I really couldn't see her obsession being real or the guy staying at her house with all the intrusions and weirdness. And frankly a frail old lady is not going to be able to beat a 200 pound young guy to death with a frying pan even if the first hit is from behind. Waste of time.

Guys!! Lets take a min to discuss what we Just watched!!

[selinamd · 7/10 · 3 October 2020]

Okay so...after watching this I scrolled through the reviews and all I can say is did we watch the same film!!!??? I think some peeps have really missed the sheer creep vibe of Joyce and the hillarious moments here!!! Everyones took this wayyy too serious man... the sub genre is definitely correct... this is a comedy!!! I was laughing alot!

This film is laugh out loud awesome!! 😆 I agree that it's very well played by the lead - kudos. The lead character is portrayed so well you can even feel sorry for her at the start! You can kind of support and understand her vunerable loneliness BUT..... can we just take a min here!! And skim over some of the sheer golden moment's this film has to offer... like when Joyce double dips the coffee spoon! Just to add a lick of her own spit...in the most creepy and cheeky kind of way 😆 (22.40) 😂 (1st of all that could not go down in the covid times we are living in atm) that bit hits different watching in 2020 and made her even more creepy for me! I mean what was she tryna do there!!? Super eerie 😆 But omgg and how about the drugging of the lodger Bob 😂 ... and literally face planting his 'nose candy'!!! 😂😂 genius then dragging his body to snog him unconsciously and sneaking a peak of his package!! Honestly this film is a must watch for this stuff right there. And how about when she literally makes out with his toothbrush!!! This film screams creepy!! Joyce is fantastic lol definitely will make you think twice about staying in a b&b with your door unlocked!!! If 'The Resident' didn't make you think twice this one will! Don't leave your door unlocked people haha. And I mean finishing him off with a frying pan... this film made me laugh out loud especially the outfits to impress bob like the huge flower in her hair and that outfit, just brilliant stuff!! Anyone with a sense of humour, this can easily be a guilty pleasure and film you won't forget!!! 😂👍🏽 P.s some of these reviews just don't seem to appreciate the humour value!

Not as good as the trailer

[Solirocks · 3/10 · 3 June 2020]

This was one cringy movie. It was really slow and I had to force myself to watch it all the way. I found it hard to believe that a tiny old lady with practically no muscles could move a dead body with so much ease... Frankly, the only thing I liked about this movie was the cat, he was adorable.

Not for everyone

[joriethomas · 8/10 · 3 December 2019]

I like indie films, this is just a human piece... no action, gore, heavy drama, e.t.c. Just human nature. Linn shaye is always a winner for me, even in her lesser films, she's phenomenal. The human psyche is fascinating and watching her mentality be explained slowly was enjoyable.

Fatal Attraction for the Air BnB generation

[geeklegionofdoom · 7/10 · 26 March 2019]

A lonely widow, Joyce ( Lin Shaye ) decides to rent out her spare rooms to get out of some financial trouble left to her by her late husband. She eventually rents a room to a drifter who may have a shady past. Joyce a fan of Romance novels starts fantasizing about her new tenant, and if things don't go her way, she will make it go her way by any means possible even if it's rather creepy. So what worked?

• Lin Shaye is excellent in this role, making you feel empathy for her character even when she is going down the darkest of paths. A great performance that is frail but fearsome . Unpredictably manipulative , but still making you want to root for her in some fashion
• The script aswell takes you on a journey with her character, expertly playing with your emotions towards her character. Kudos too, for not spoon feeding the audience with all the back story for certain events or characters, leading the viewers to fill in some blanks, but not to the point where it's unsatisfying or confusing .

-Confidently directed with great use of light and shadow. Great camera work and a growing sense of tension

What could have been better?

• The story itself is somewhat predictable and you can see certain events coming a while off

-I'm not sure if i quite bought the 'Sarah' character, whose motivations for snooping around seemed somewhat flimsy

Overall a solid drama / thriller that has shades of Fatal attraction & single white female. Lead by a great turn by Shaye

What???!!!!

[windsorenquirer · 5/10 · 12 May 2019]

This movie is pretty interesting to watch till... the ending. Yet I wouldn't say I want my 80 minutes of my life back, I enjoyed it. Someone says in the review she attacked some teenagers, no, it's not correct, they attacked her, few times to be exact.

Not good

[pensacolacomputer · 3/10 · 7 May 2019]

Started out promising but turned out pretty bad. I did make it all the way through it, but its one of those movies where you regret wasting the time, hoping it gets better, and you end up wishing you would have spent the time elsewhere. Pass on this one.

My Review Of "Room For Rent"

[ASouthernHorrorFan · 6/10 · 2 June 2019]

"Room For Rent" entices a thriller akin to "Single White Female" or "Hush". A dark and cold killer masking as a loving, comforting matriarchal figure. And to some extent it is. Only the thriller angle is soft spoken and not at all dark. The concept is, but the execution is not. There is no tension or suspense in Joyce's transition from caring to psychotic impulse. To Lin Shaye's credit though, her character portrayal is compelling.

The story is well written and the cast give great performances as these somewhat tragic characters. As a dramatic character study, "Room For Rent" is a perfect 'Lifetime' after dark TV movie. As a full on psychological thriller, the film fails to take off. The pace is too slow and mundane to ever rise above the melodrama. That being said, when Joyce does snap it is quick, and cruel and delicious. The problem is there is no real build to those moments and when it's over the tone goes straight back to sheer melodrama.

The horror elements are minimal in "Room For Rent". Very little violence happens aside from the typical pedestrian concepts. A pillow, a frying pan, and not much else. I think most of the nightmare takes place in Joyce's head, unfortunately it never gets fleshed out. When those moments do happen they are great glimpses into the psychological thriller this should be. Lin Shaye is great at bringing a little needed darkness and cruelty to the scene.

"Room For Rent" will be please Lin Shaye fans, she gives her character as much as she can. As always, her acting is queen. As for horror fans looking for a wicked psychological thrill ride, this one will disappoint. It will have an audience, the writing and acting is quality. All the makings for a good movie are here, its just they came together as a dark drama and not a real horror movie. Check it out if you really enjoy Shaye, but leave it if you want some psycho madness murder mayhem.

Three for Lin

[jenniferlynn-49555 · 3/10 · 8 June 2019]

This movie wasnt the wrost but it wasn't the best either. The acting besides Lin, was really bad. Seriously, no one could act. I love Lin Shaye and she was great in this movie. I felt so bad for her in the beginning and by the end, I wanted her to get it. I don't see any of this happening in real life but it's a way to kill a little time and watch Lin Shaye. Man she was so annoying. Her nose candy scene was worth it. I wish imdb still had message boards because I don't understand the end, what was with the door? Maybe I missed why that was important.

I haven't laughed this much in a long time!

[sunnisheryl-977-113621 · 6/10 · 8 September 2021]

I know this movie is rated "horror", but I swear I found so many things in this movie hilarious! I really liked this movie regardless. I'm still waiting for the horror to happen and there's only 14 mins left in the movie. So I think it should be rated a comedy.

Terrible acting, predictable and rubbish

[andyboot80 · 1/10 · 24 May 2019]

Probably the worst movie i have seen in the last 12 months. Painfully slow, predictable, and just illogical that people would live like that, there is no use writing too much more, its just rubbish. I would strongly recommended you watch something else, unless you want to scrape your eyes out with a spoon. Goodluck

Lin Shaye is chilling in this psychological thriller about obsession, possessiveness and old age

[vampire_hounddog · 6/10 · 18 October 2020]

Living in a suburban neighbourhood, a lonely widow (Lin Shaye) with something of a dark side to her personality takes in lodgers to help her financially and to make for much needed company. After befriending a woman (Valeska Miller) who came for a short stay, she takes in a good looking young man (Oliver Rayon) who she begins to obsess over and become possessive of.

Shaye is superb in this sweltering, sometimes claustrophobic thriller. Made on a small budget and benefitting from its Sedona setting, it is the type of film that would also been well suited to the post WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BABY JANE? (1963) host of films that followed in that film's wake in the mid 1960s. The suspense is well maintained and Shaye is at times chilling, but one is left wondering why some of these characters did not get out of the house sooner.

Dull plot and unrealistic characters

[zekeclk · 3/10 · 12 February 2021]

It is not often that I can predict all of the major events in a movie. This was just so predictable that I saw what would happen as soon as a character was introduced, it was easier to solve than the two times table. The creepiness is right in front of their faces, yet they are somehow oblivious to it, they have no sixth sense.

I was overjoyed when I realised there was less than 10 minutes left of this drivel. To make matters worse the ending was arguably worse than the film itself, but I was just relieved it was all over. The type of movie you hope to never watch again. The type of movie that causing you to fall asleep at the cinema when you have had enough popcorn and your drink is flat

Lin Shaye 👏👏👏

[armanwhannell · 8/10 · 29 July 2019]

It's no surprise that Lin Shaye is a great actress. She nails every role she gets to play. However, I really enjoyed this movie, a very beautifully shot movie with a good story. I think I haven't seen a movie like this before, so this was kind of unique for me.

Nice seeing Lin Shaye bust loose!

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 7 May 2019]

Joyce is a lonely widow who needs money to keep her home, so she rents out a room. After trying to run a bed and breakfast, she later decides to have an ongoing tenant: a mysterious drifter named Bob.

Soon, she's making him the object of her deepest romantic fantasies. Yet when Bob falls for one of her younger friends, she decides to finally get everything she ever wanted no matter what it takes.

You may know Lin Shaye from the Insidious films, but here, she's gripping the spotlight all for herself. There are some great character moments, like when she attacks a gang of skateboarders by kissing one of their members right on the mouth or her flipping out and suffocating a friend with a throw pillow. I get the idea that Shaye is overjoyed to be a bad guy here, reveling in the ridiculous wardrobe and over the top melodrama.

I mean, what other movie will you see where Lin has a near-erotic moment as she brushes her teeth with the toothbrush of Bob, her drug-dealing fistfighting love interest? Or finds a bag of cocaine and does huge handfuls of it before dragging a dead body across her bric-a-brac festooned living room?

I laughed out loud several times during this and even if the ending is a little choppy, it's a hell of a lot of fun.

Room for Rent opens May 3 in select theaters and releases May 7 on VOD.

Oscar winner

[pookahinc · 2/10 · 31 May 2020]

Wow this was a winner. Really bad acting, plot and script. If you literally have nothing you would rather do, I mean nothing, watch this gem. On second thought, don't. I'd rather watch fungus grow on my toe nails.

Dont mess with Granny

[nottoday-572-807361 · 4/10 · 7 July 2019]

Not sure if this was made for the big screen but this felt like an afternoon TV movie. Story was predictable, main characters behavour was illogical at times, as were the supporting casts behavours and actions. Only watch if your have way to much time in your life to waste. This movie adds nothing new.

Millennial Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice?

[killercharm · 6/10 · 19 February 2020]

This is a movie along the lines of Whatever Happened to Aunt Alice? with the main character, a little old lady, going a bit daft and getting dangerous. This is much better though. It grabbed me soon into it and had me squirming a couple of times. This little old lady is freshly widowed and when she finds out that her husband borrowed money and spent the money they had she decides to open her home as a BnB. She soon has a hunky lodger under whose spell she falls. Too bad for him.