One of those few Lifetime movies where you feel really bad for the antagonist. The guy was mentally ill and he had good intentions... however, he went too damn far to achieve them, even if it meant murder. All I could think of was that the guy just needed some much needed help instead of his therapist shoving pills at him. As for the ending, the movie ends without any real resolution to the antagonist. We don't know if he goes to jail or if he ever get the treatment he needed. Nothing.
12 Reviews
Not the best of LMN/Lifetime
aweirdsylvia14 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Yet another lifetime/lmn movie that demonizes people with mental illnesses. These people seriously need a new shtick. Every time there's a person in these movies that are the antagonist, they're mostly mentally unstable. It's completely predictable every time.
I find it strange that the Karen was able to trust a complete stranger who found her out of the blue and took a weird liking to her kid vs. her sister-in-law who she's likely known for years, and has helped her raise her child.
Even the cop that showed up in the middle of the movie didn't seem too bright.
Towards the end the movie things got very rushed and sloppy. I'm guessing from the way it ended they were leaving it up for interpretation or some sort of sequel, but it was just so anticlimactic. The ending of movie felt as half-assed as the antagonist's plan at the end. It was very disappointing that all Karen had to do to get the guy to go away was say "leave us alone."
The only characters I really liked were Max and the aunt. The kid's acting wasn't as cringey as most kid actors and he was actually pretty adorable. I liked that the aunt was the only sensible character to make up for how idiotic the mom was. I'm also glad the movie didn't take the standard lifetime/lmn turn and have the antagonist just kill her off because she was too suspicious. Aside from the movie's faults, the story was at least interesting. It roped me in with an interesting premise, which, for me, could've made up for main character's attitude towards the suspicious had the ending not fallen so flat.
If you like movies and aren't too picky, maybe just want something to watch or have something playing in the background, you'd probably be alright with this movie.
I find it strange that the Karen was able to trust a complete stranger who found her out of the blue and took a weird liking to her kid vs. her sister-in-law who she's likely known for years, and has helped her raise her child.
Even the cop that showed up in the middle of the movie didn't seem too bright.
Towards the end the movie things got very rushed and sloppy. I'm guessing from the way it ended they were leaving it up for interpretation or some sort of sequel, but it was just so anticlimactic. The ending of movie felt as half-assed as the antagonist's plan at the end. It was very disappointing that all Karen had to do to get the guy to go away was say "leave us alone."
The only characters I really liked were Max and the aunt. The kid's acting wasn't as cringey as most kid actors and he was actually pretty adorable. I liked that the aunt was the only sensible character to make up for how idiotic the mom was. I'm also glad the movie didn't take the standard lifetime/lmn turn and have the antagonist just kill her off because she was too suspicious. Aside from the movie's faults, the story was at least interesting. It roped me in with an interesting premise, which, for me, could've made up for main character's attitude towards the suspicious had the ending not fallen so flat.
If you like movies and aren't too picky, maybe just want something to watch or have something playing in the background, you'd probably be alright with this movie.
Not a very good Lifetime movie.....
Chartreuse115 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
I tuned in to see this and was very disappointed. The plot is a single mom save a man's life and he wants to do something in return. Trouble is the guy is a nut job and she lets him into her life which is a little far-fetched to begin with nowadays. Her son even befriends the guy instead of thinking he has ulterior motives. The woman NEVER calls the police? The story begins to unravel and loses credibility by the end. This is a definite PASS.
Three stars only because I watched til the end
CranberriAppl4 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
But this movie pissed me off. I really regretted watching this because it was so terrible. The entire thing was frustrating to watch but after a point, I felt compelled to finish.
The problem with this movie is that it requires idiotic actions by the protagonist in order to work. In 2020, who is inviting strangers into their homes? Not even just that, but he gives her a fright and she STILL lets him in. And around her son! It's completely absurd. But in order to make it through the movie, you have to accept this. I rejected this premise so I spent the entire film calling Karen a moron.
To compound things, this movie picks up an unnecessary body count. I am one that doesn't think these movies need deaths, and I always appreciate when they can create suspense w/o taking the easy route and just killing people off. This movie develops a ridiculous body count for a guy who is randomly saved during a robbery. It's just too much.
I figured out the therapist "twist" fairly early. The ending is ridiculous and will only make you want to yell at the tv. Watch it once if you must, but it's not good.
The problem with this movie is that it requires idiotic actions by the protagonist in order to work. In 2020, who is inviting strangers into their homes? Not even just that, but he gives her a fright and she STILL lets him in. And around her son! It's completely absurd. But in order to make it through the movie, you have to accept this. I rejected this premise so I spent the entire film calling Karen a moron.
To compound things, this movie picks up an unnecessary body count. I am one that doesn't think these movies need deaths, and I always appreciate when they can create suspense w/o taking the easy route and just killing people off. This movie develops a ridiculous body count for a guy who is randomly saved during a robbery. It's just too much.
I figured out the therapist "twist" fairly early. The ending is ridiculous and will only make you want to yell at the tv. Watch it once if you must, but it's not good.
Very bad ending
rosemurphy-2255628 December 2020
pretty good for a TV movie
SnoopyStyle29 May 2022
Karen (Michelle Borth) is a widowed single mom having trouble connecting with her boy. She's desperate for a promotion at work and needs back rent money from her tenant. She steps in front of Jeremy (Mark Rendall) during a robbery and probably saves his life. He's a mentally disturbed cyber-security expert and he becomes obsessed with his savior.
This is pretty good for a TV movie. The writing could be better and the production is strictly TV level. As with this type of movie, the audience is always ahead of the character and one does see Karen's failings. She should report her tenant missing to the police. It's obvious that the other kid stole her son's shoes. She needs to say something about that. Aunt Sophie's sudden drug issue is suspicious, to say the least. I was expecting a past history of drug use but the movie digs up a different past history. There're a lot of red flags here but non of them are so outrageous to be disbelieved. A smarter film would deal with all that in a better way but this still pretty good for a TV movie.
This is pretty good for a TV movie. The writing could be better and the production is strictly TV level. As with this type of movie, the audience is always ahead of the character and one does see Karen's failings. She should report her tenant missing to the police. It's obvious that the other kid stole her son's shoes. She needs to say something about that. Aunt Sophie's sudden drug issue is suspicious, to say the least. I was expecting a past history of drug use but the movie digs up a different past history. There're a lot of red flags here but non of them are so outrageous to be disbelieved. A smarter film would deal with all that in a better way but this still pretty good for a TV movie.
Unrealistic
nightroses29 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
It was just flimsy. No one with brain cells would allow a total stranger to pick up their kid. And no one would allow a total stranger to enter their house. No one was suspicious when this weirdo kept showing up and entering the office, people disappearing, dying and those awful looking shoes. Nobody was suspicious. That woman must be a total idiot. The ending was sudden and didn't explain anything.
this was so horribly bad
casablancavic5 April 2020
Awful, stupid Canadian thriller
akcenat13 August 2020
The Interloper
lavatch23 July 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This was a quirky film with sly humor that accompanied a good human interest story. Karen is a widow struggling to keep her home following the death of her husband. But into her life comes an apparent miracle worker who wants to set things right for her job and family.
The interloper is Jeremy, a man whose life she saved during a pharmacy stick-up. The film is worth watching for the character of Jeremy, superbly played by the actor.
On the one hand, Jeremy genuinely wants to help Karen, and he bonds with her young son Max. On the other hand, Jeremy is a sociopath capable of almost anything. Amid all the stress in her life, Karen must now deal with a nut case.
There was also a strong relationship developed between Karen and her step-sister Sophie. The two women shared the bond of losing a beloved family member. Now, they must come to terms with their different outlooks on life.
While the film's ending was disappointing in failing to wrap up major strands of the narrative and give the final disposition of Jeremy, the casting was excellent with the actors hitting all the right notes. The film was also well directed with brisk pacing and dynamic set-ups. Above all, it was a well-crafted and a provocative film that should elicit lively discussion...especially about Jeremy.
The interloper is Jeremy, a man whose life she saved during a pharmacy stick-up. The film is worth watching for the character of Jeremy, superbly played by the actor.
On the one hand, Jeremy genuinely wants to help Karen, and he bonds with her young son Max. On the other hand, Jeremy is a sociopath capable of almost anything. Amid all the stress in her life, Karen must now deal with a nut case.
There was also a strong relationship developed between Karen and her step-sister Sophie. The two women shared the bond of losing a beloved family member. Now, they must come to terms with their different outlooks on life.
While the film's ending was disappointing in failing to wrap up major strands of the narrative and give the final disposition of Jeremy, the casting was excellent with the actors hitting all the right notes. The film was also well directed with brisk pacing and dynamic set-ups. Above all, it was a well-crafted and a provocative film that should elicit lively discussion...especially about Jeremy.
They butchered the ending
ErnieonthecouchRecords4 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
And a damn shame too, because this movie was going really well. Well acted, nice direction, great cinematography (didn't look like a TV movie at all) and a compelling story with a sympathetic antagonist.
But why would they butchered the ending so badly? It's not even like it's open for interpretation, they intentionally just kinda stop the movie. Did they run out of money? Did the actors all quit in unison? Did all the cameras break at the exact same time?
It doesn't make any sense to cut it short, specially since they've kept you intrigued about what will happen next for the last hour and a half.
Best way I can describe this is, this movie is good sex without the climax. Bummer.
But why would they butchered the ending so badly? It's not even like it's open for interpretation, they intentionally just kinda stop the movie. Did they run out of money? Did the actors all quit in unison? Did all the cameras break at the exact same time?
It doesn't make any sense to cut it short, specially since they've kept you intrigued about what will happen next for the last hour and a half.
Best way I can describe this is, this movie is good sex without the climax. Bummer.
Absolutely Terriblet
tailmantooler12 August 2020
I have started this review a few times now trying to think of something positive to say. But I can't. This movie was terrible from start to finish. And I hate reviews that simply just say terrible or great without going into a bit of detail as to which part and why. But this movie is simply terrible in every aspect from the writing, the casting, the set, and the filmography. Actually wait. The part where Lance (Jason Deline) gets out of his car and the shot from the ground up and catches the flags and sun is a good camera shot. But thats it. The actor playing Max an only pray that every trace of this movie is erased and no future casting directors at home wind of his involvement and he would be wise to leave it off of any resume. As for everyone else. I mean less than mediocre acting and character development. The budget for this film I'm guessing was lower than what the deadbeat tenant owed in rent. And I'm guessing the majority of that was spent on the Tesla rental and the $5 Walmart Kicks they tried to pass off as some amazing trendy high class designer sneaker. I guess I will leave it there.
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