In most respects this was a typical Lifetime-type movie. But they added a few touches to make it different that I liked. The lead actress Molly McCook played a stand up comedienne, which was different. I really liked the whole virtual reality aspect. A step above normal eavesdropping techniques. What was also fun was seeing Happy Days nice guy Ted MGinley play the sinister creep. The final gun scenario at the end was usual until Molly slid the gun to the boyfriend. What was good was that he didn't hesitate to shoot as they normally do.
On the downside, there were many of the usual predicable moments when the others got murdered. Overall I did not have that "I wasted my time" feeling.
13 Reviews
A Decent Watch
daviddunn-906533 August 2021
For a Lifetime movie I wasnt expecting much other than passing the time on a rainy afternoon However, this is actually a good watch that held my attention for the duration. Sure, its not going to win any Oscars, or stretch your imagination,but it has some good moments. My main concern throughout was wondering if the adoreable pet cat was going to survive the movie. Watch it and see,
It was ok but....
carolynocean11 October 2022
I saw a movie a few years ago called " The Resident " , which is very similar to this one , starring Hilary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan .
It was made in 2011 , and this one was made in 2017 , so....... this is almost a copy of that movie .
By the way , The Resident was very disappointing , I would not recommend it , the reviews were not good .
So back to this movie , it was just ok for me , It was a just a bit too predictable though.
I do wonder sometimes though, why is it that some women, in these types of movies, do not spot the early signs of possible obsessiveness from men that they have just met !
I thought that the landlord showed classic signs in the beginning , maybe its just me ..... Watchable , but not thrilling .
It was made in 2011 , and this one was made in 2017 , so....... this is almost a copy of that movie .
By the way , The Resident was very disappointing , I would not recommend it , the reviews were not good .
So back to this movie , it was just ok for me , It was a just a bit too predictable though.
I do wonder sometimes though, why is it that some women, in these types of movies, do not spot the early signs of possible obsessiveness from men that they have just met !
I thought that the landlord showed classic signs in the beginning , maybe its just me ..... Watchable , but not thrilling .
Standard plotline
e-9588624 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The Landlord is as others have stated - your basic hallmark thriller movie that's an easy watch, but could have been a lot more deeper and had the potential to delve into other areas than what was presented. The main character Alyssa, is a struggling comedian, and who they try to paint as a likeable character, but she just isn't. Not to me anyway. Other than roasting a chauvinistic male in the crowd during one of her standup routines, she comes across as a bit self-centred and heartless to be honest. As the description suggests, she moves into a luxury apartment complex, but is unaware she is being watched by her landlord, Robert, via hidden cameras. Robert will do anything to fill the void left by his estranged daughter even if that means replacing her. At the start Robert the landlord is actually really nice, besides the wrongful peeping through the cameras - which isn't for any seedy sexual gratification but by an overbearing protective father role. Alyssa comes across quite unappreciative and air-headish throughout the movie, meeting up with a guy who has also has the personality of a wet fish, and once you realise that Robert lost his daughter and it becomes clear just how much it has affected him (he has a dedicated therapist / doctor - and live-in sister) you begin to feel a little sorry for Robert, and less so for Alyssa and her boyfriend Oliver - The story is so basic, that they x2 are painted as the 'good guys' and Robert the 'bad guy', even though Oliver actually ends up cheating on Alyssa (this is never addressed after), and Alyssa ends up roasting Robert, unbeknown to her that he is watching one of her stand-ups in the crowd. She goes on about how old guys are just 'creepy' and how pathetic it is, that they try to befriend younger girls etc. Even though Robert just tries to befriend to fill a void.
I knew what the plot would be before it ended, but I was hoping for an alternative ending.
I knew what the plot would be before it ended, but I was hoping for an alternative ending.
Careful about your rental apartment
phd_travel19 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
Quite a well made Lifetime thriller. This poor stand up comedienne has not one but 2 stalkers. After fleeing one stalker she moves into a nice condo and befriends a guy who helps manage the place and the older landlord. The landlord played by Ted Mcginley has set up a sophisticated surveillance system in each apartment. You can guess the rest. The acting is okay and the production and cast are on the higher end for Lifetime.
Really enjoyable Lifetime type of stalker film.
clairelouise522 August 2021
Watched this on a rainy Saturday night and have to say it did the trick if you like this easy to watch thriller films. The actors were all really good and it had a solid and entertaining storyline. Ok it may be a little predictable but I'd definitely say give it a go. I found it really enjoyable.
Pretty decent Hallmark/Lifetime thriller
mjanssens2623 April 2021
This is a Hallmark/Lifetime-style thriller so don't set your expectations too high. Overall, this was a good movie featuring several good twists and a lot of eye candy. A fun watch overall and perfect for a rainy Sunday or Covid quarantine night. Catch it on Prime as of April 2021.
"Too Good To Be True"
lavatch31 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Alyssa Haroldson has recently moved to Los Angeles, and she instantly has an opportunity to move into a beautiful apartment and given an enormous break on rent. For Alyssa, it is all "too good to be true." No words have ever been more accurately stated.
Oliver Hall is the nice young realtor who introduced Alyssa to the landlord Robert Farnsworth. But what Alyssa is not told at the outset is that the previous tenant, Meghan, died in the bathtub of apartment 2013, which Alyssa will now be renting.
At first, Robert seems to be concerned for Alyssa's welfare. But all too soon, she discovers an edgy and possessive side to him. An apparent veteran of the first Gulf War, Robert had served in Iraq at the same time as Alyssa's beloved dad, who died in combat. Alyssa still has the flag that was given in her dad's honor, and she is naturally drawn to Robert as a father figure.
But Alyssa also has good boundaries, which are apparent in her stand-up comic routine, where she invites audience members to share their phones with her. She never thoroughly humiliates them, but keeps the banter light and enjoyable.
One of the interesting touches of the filmmakers was to give Robert a pair of infrared goggles, and, with his sophisticated security set-up, is able to virtually enter Alyssa's apartment, eavesdrop on her conversations and spy on her at will.
An interesting set of secondary characters includes the tenant Katie, who recognizes Robert's perversion, and Robert's domineering sister Helen. A stalker named Sam has pursued Alyssa to L.A. and poses a threat early in the film. The identity of the stalker is quite a revelation to both Alyssa and the audience.
"Fatherly Obsession" (a.k.a., "The Landlord") was well-paced, and the action came to a head with a special Thanksgiving meal in which Robert has invited Alyssa. The affair, which was intended as a large family gathering, turns into a table for two with the maniacal Robert having intricately planned to corner Alyssa. But he had not counted on the strong backbone of Alyssa, as well as her improvisatory skills learned from stand-up, to meet his match at the most critical moment of the last supper.
Oliver Hall is the nice young realtor who introduced Alyssa to the landlord Robert Farnsworth. But what Alyssa is not told at the outset is that the previous tenant, Meghan, died in the bathtub of apartment 2013, which Alyssa will now be renting.
At first, Robert seems to be concerned for Alyssa's welfare. But all too soon, she discovers an edgy and possessive side to him. An apparent veteran of the first Gulf War, Robert had served in Iraq at the same time as Alyssa's beloved dad, who died in combat. Alyssa still has the flag that was given in her dad's honor, and she is naturally drawn to Robert as a father figure.
But Alyssa also has good boundaries, which are apparent in her stand-up comic routine, where she invites audience members to share their phones with her. She never thoroughly humiliates them, but keeps the banter light and enjoyable.
One of the interesting touches of the filmmakers was to give Robert a pair of infrared goggles, and, with his sophisticated security set-up, is able to virtually enter Alyssa's apartment, eavesdrop on her conversations and spy on her at will.
An interesting set of secondary characters includes the tenant Katie, who recognizes Robert's perversion, and Robert's domineering sister Helen. A stalker named Sam has pursued Alyssa to L.A. and poses a threat early in the film. The identity of the stalker is quite a revelation to both Alyssa and the audience.
"Fatherly Obsession" (a.k.a., "The Landlord") was well-paced, and the action came to a head with a special Thanksgiving meal in which Robert has invited Alyssa. The affair, which was intended as a large family gathering, turns into a table for two with the maniacal Robert having intricately planned to corner Alyssa. But he had not counted on the strong backbone of Alyssa, as well as her improvisatory skills learned from stand-up, to meet his match at the most critical moment of the last supper.
A surveillance snooper's paradise
greenbudgie11 July 2021
I have just re-watched this and upgraded my rating of it to 7/10. 'The Landlord' AKA 'Fatherly Obsession' tells of Alyssa who is continually stalked by phone despite the fact that she keeps changing her cell number. She is a stand up comic who can handle hecklers but understandably she is nervous of the unseen menace in her life. Older man Robert gives her access to an apartment which he guarantees will be a safe place for her to stay. Initially Alyssa is a bit disturbed by Robert's special interest in her until he claims that she reminds him of his daughter. She accepts that and despite being warned of Robert's past life she feels comfortable with the fatherly protectiveness that her landlord is offering. Good portrayals of these two characters by Molly McCook and Ted McGinley. I was fascinated by the surveillance devices which are a big part of the plot. Every character is snoopy including Alyssa towards the end. There's quite a bit going on economically fitted into the running time so you shouldn't get bored. I recommend this as one of the better TV movie thrillers.
Reasonable Thriller
jonsid5715 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
A reasonable thriller a bit similar to Sliver where a young lady moves into an apartment where a lady (who looked similar to her )lived. The lady moved away to get away from a stalker . It just happens that the creepy landlord has the building under surveillance. The film has some twists and turns .
Female comedian attempts comedy
ThunderKing62 December 2023
How to make a movie? Make everyone a psycho. And make protagonist repeat bad mistakes.
December 1st 2023rd
Genre:
Murder, mental health, psychotic
Duration:
1H 23M
What was this Tv movie about?:
It was about a psycho landlord spying and stalking on attractive weeman.
And a weeman making horrible mistakes.
The story and the production overview:
It's an Okay movie. The protagonist has a hot bod but kept making horrible mistakes by sticking around the creep.
The story is simple. At the same time a psychotic mess.
The subplots are blurry and nonexistent.
Overall a good film for such an head scratcher of a film.
Highlight:
Her bod was fine.
Moral:
If you sense a bad vibe from a person just walk away.
Rating:
It was alright
Final words:
I didn't understand her jokes. Especially her first set. It was weak.
December 1st 2023rd
Genre:
Murder, mental health, psychotic
Duration:
1H 23M
What was this Tv movie about?:
It was about a psycho landlord spying and stalking on attractive weeman.
And a weeman making horrible mistakes.
The story and the production overview:
It's an Okay movie. The protagonist has a hot bod but kept making horrible mistakes by sticking around the creep.
The story is simple. At the same time a psychotic mess.
The subplots are blurry and nonexistent.
Overall a good film for such an head scratcher of a film.
Highlight:
Her bod was fine.
Moral:
If you sense a bad vibe from a person just walk away.
Rating:
It was alright
Final words:
I didn't understand her jokes. Especially her first set. It was weak.
Scary!
Chartreuse122 August 2021
Very good for a Lifetime thriller. We caught it on TV today. Alyssa, is a stand-up comic looking for a new place and she meets with Robert J Fallsworth, the landlord and his sister. Trouble is Robert likes Alyssa a bit too much. Ted McGinley does a great job as the creepy landlord. Definitely recommend!
INTERESTING
chirayilsubin3 August 2021
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