The Stalker

The '80s infamously gave rise to a niche sub-genre of the horror film vehicle, triggering a bloodbath of same-page slasher films that repurposed shared devices and motifs to an enduring effect. With "The Stalker," director John Giorgio gets into his time machine to pay homage to those historical tormentors in what becomes an engaging slab of horror moviemaking.

While Jason's iconic hockey mask from "Friday the 13th" doesn't make an appearance, nostalgically familiar point-of-view shots from the stalker's perspective feature en masse, along with a subterranean synthesizer score and a high gloss artifice cloned from the DNA of its influencers. Yet it's the central theme at the cold heart of "The Stalker" that most assures its transmissions of terror: Few thoughts are as unnerving as those of a predator who can't be stopped, and the characters caught in the sight lines of the film's namesake killer successfully project this with an over-the-top delivery that works.

For committed fans of horror films, "The Stalker" is prerequisite viewing. For all the rest of us, it's a guilty indulgence, and one that's queasy fun to submit to. - (Was this of use? If so, let me know by clicking "Helpful." Cheers!)

A great indie thriller with solid performances. Everybody is a suspect and you just don't know whom you can trust. The parents' plight is relatable as someone stalks their family. The kids get a little lost in the dilemma but that's okay as the main focus is with the parents anyway and how they are going to deal with a stalker coming for their family. And fortunately the parents are very relatable. It definitely has twists and enough thrills to be entertaining.

Follows in the footsteps of stalker/revenge thrillers like Cape Fear and Scream. Decent performances overall (especially from the father/husband who's resemblance to Nick Cave was oddly captivating). Good effort for a very low-budget film.

The Stalker has an 80s slasher vibe with its storytelling sensibilities and score. It feels like a comfortable suspense film to distract yourself when you have some time to kill. I have to admit, the bad guy is pretty creepy and I wouldn't want to be stalked by him, particularly when he threatens the family.

The Stalker is a campy throwback of a ride from the plot to the music and soundtrack. It's a kind of slasher movie (older 80s-ish?) that is well-paced, fun, and strictly what the movie poster promises. Bring out the popcorn and get ready for some stalking action.