Intruder

'Intruder (1989)' is a slasher set inside a grocery store that sees the late-night crew come under threat from a mysterious manic intent on mutilating every last one of them. The flick isn't a parody, or even a comedy really, but it is well aware of what it is and isn't afraid to be as ridiculous as it wants to be. It's often funny, purposefully so, but it also works as a horror because the kills are grisly, the characters are likable and the flick is generally suspenseful. It's incredibly well made despite its obviously low budget, with some insanely creative shots keeping you engaged even during its duller segments. The killer's face is kept off screen for most of the movie, but it's when their identity is revealed that they really come into their own. They're suitably relentless and equally as deranged, spewing off-kilter commentary in a wonderfully over-the-top way. It's a pitch-perfect performance for what the piece is trying to achieve. The story is simple but effective, essentially acting as an excuse for the plot's carnage. Sadly, the version I watched was heavily cut (for some reason the cut version is the only one that's available through Shudder in the UK). This isn't too detrimental to the picture, as a couple of the more intense kills still genuinely work when they're shown in a more implicit way, but several sequences are heavily diluted and, especially towards the end, it's sometimes difficult to understand what's happening (or, rather, has just happened off screen). The most unforgivable part of the cut version is that it robs you of a moment in which the killer beats someone unconscious with a severed head. Ultimately, though, the piece is still entertaining in its cut form. It knows what it is and relishes it, providing fun rather than scares. Having said that, it also does a great job at building suspense and has several seriously inventive sequences. 7/10.

"Intruder" wasn't a bad movie. I expected less. It's about the night crew at Walnut Lake Supermarket being stalked down by a killer one night at work--the last night, before the store closes. The story takes just a little to get going, but it's entertaining the whole time. The killings seem to go pretty quickly, and the climax is fantastic! I just love the setting. I didn't particularly think ALL those freaky camera angles were so great. (ie: in the phone, under the sweeping broom) But some were really cool. Anyhow, I definitely recommend this for at least the great climax. The conclusion is a little unsatisfying, but still pretty good. Great movie!

From the makers of The Evil Dead we got a slasher flick that for some reason is kind of a hidden gem. Not many people have seen this movie. I personally bought an Uncut version off a grey market site for 5 bucks. I should add that it was worth it.

Story takes place in a supermarket which seems to only sell cereal...not really, but they like to shoot scenes down that isle. The workers are closing for the night and they just want to finish up and head home. Well that's a shame since there's a killer in the store and the workers start dropping like flies. That's pretty much how the story goes.

But the movie itself was done pretty damn well. You have a cast that was definitely into this movie. They tried to seriously pull it off. There's some dark humor, some great lighting effects and some really good gore effects. I unfortunately was a little disappointed in the amount of gore. I kept on hearing there was tons of it....there's really not that much. But there is enough to keep an average gore fan happy. The movie unfortunately was not scary, but don't dismay, the movie has a special charm, that will most likely keep you (horror fan) happy.

Bruce Campbell is in the movie for a total of about 2 minutes, so even though it says his name on the cover...don't buy/rent it because of him. Intruder is a pretty fun flick to watch. It definitely has more positives than negatives and is better than most slashers. If you're into slasher films, this is definitely one you should add to your collection.

A lunatic goes on a bloody rampage inside a grocery store on the night it's due to close.

Director Scott Spiegel knows where to put his camera and when to cut away from and when to hold on the masterful gore effects, but the characters aren't the most interesting bunch which drags the pacing down. It's still worth it for the gore effects and creative camerawork.

Creative camera work and over the top gore effects fill Intruder's fairly short run time with enough ingenuity and kinetic energy to power the less than exciting script and characters that frequently fall short of the mark. Evil Dead fans will like knowing Bruce Campbell has a charming cameo towards the end.