The Vagrant

This was close to being a lost 80's style horror-comedy classic, but just falls short of the mark in the end. The script was just a touch too weak, the comedy a tad too far between, and the horror not strong enough. With a few tweaks, it could have been great, but as is, it's just a average movie at best. Paxton is game, but the rest just doesn't quite add up.

Up and coming Graham Krakowski is a white, middleclass, wannabe yuppie. He buys a fixer upper house near the city center and moves in. However an old tramp also uses the house and Krakowski has to install a fortune of security devices. The tramp continues to get into the house and terrorise Krakowski, even though no one seems to see anything. As people begin to turn up dead, he wonders if it's all in his head and the police suspect him. Is the tramp real and, if so, what is his interest in Krakowski?

I didn't have high hopes for this despite the headline stars – they weren't big names then (this was one of Paxton's first lead roles). I also was put off by it's description as a horror/comedy – executive produced by Mel Brooks of all people! It started blandly enough but managed to have a few moments that fulfilled it's definition. It doesn't have out and out jokes, but some moments are funny – the police reaction to news of urination is the funniest. It also has some exciting moments of tension, but both are rare and scattered.

The story doesn't quite know what it's doing and because of that it's a little weak. However it does well enough to be entertaining, but it feels lost and slightly cheap. Paxton is actually quite good in a changing role, but Ironside doesn't have much to do. Marshall Bell as the vagrant is good despite just jumping out and going boo every 5 minutes – he is scary and unsettlingly unpleasant.

Overall this is OK to watch but isn't great. The comedy adds a strange mood to it and the drama/horror works quite well. Shame it feels a little cheap.

well the movie doesn't start as strong as one might think with this all-star line up, but really picks up after the fantasy scene where the Vagrant is humping Bill paxton's wife, this is the turning point of the movie where you don't know who to trust and where to turn for the next exciting scene. Just remember, you never know who the vagrant really is, dood.

This movie is what blew Paxton up to be in movies like Trespass, he puts on a heartfelt performance, even though he sleeps with 400 lbs. trailer park woman, he saves face by doing it while he is handcuffed, so its not really his fault. I gave this movie 9 stars because of the riveting plot and super cast.

You need a dark sense of humor and a certain misanthropic attitude to truly enjoy this movie. It's right up my alley, but I can see why it flopped at the box office. Not high brow/pretentious enough to be appreciated by the art-house crowd, and possibly too twisted and mature to appeal to young adults/teens.

I see similarities with Mike Judges work, who is also good at exposing the BS of the human race in a very entertaining way, and whose movies are also not for everyone. This was the last movie Chris Wales directed, presumably due to the lack of financial success, which I think is a huge shame.

Funny, I've seen this movie again, and again. The listing here, doesnt even bother to mention it being a comedy. (I dont mean that in a bad or sarcastic sence!)

It's not a horror spoof. It's just funny horror! But, then in my opinion Bill Paxton has shown clear comic sign's sence, 'Weird Science', anyway! (See him also in 'True Lies'!) This movie gave him that same chance! It was different, unerving at time's. And just plain fun!

P.S. Oh, and when the credit's are rolling, it will be obvious that this is a movie that Mel Brooks produced!