The Intruder is a delightful use of the conventions of melodrama to subvert traditional horror archetypes.
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The A.V. ClubKatie Rife
The A.V. ClubKatie Rife
The film is so full of jump scare fake-outs and shout-at-the-screen moments, it neglects to build sustained suspense — a far worse sin than its lack of logic, which can actually be kind of fun.
The whole thing would be more fun, you start to feel, if Intruder just committed fully to the schlocky midnight-movie glory of it all; let Quaid’s lawn-mowing wingnut swing that ax not just for soft vulnerable body parts, but the stars.