HIDER IN THE HOUSE

US, 1989, 104 minutes, Colour.
Mimi Rogers, Michael Mc Kean, Gary Busey.
Directed by Matthew Patrick.

Hider in the House has aspects of the classic presentations of the psycho massacre thriller and echoes of Terry O'Quinn in The Stepfather films. Gary Busey gives an energetic and entertaining performance as the young boy, abused by crazy parents, growing up with a need for the ideal family and, on his release from the institution, hiding in the attic of the ideal suburban home. He finds, however, that the ideal marriage is not ideal. It sets him once again off balance - leading to disaster, especially for himself. The married couple are played by Mimi Rogers and Michael Mc Kean.

The film builds up its atmosphere from its credit sequences to the man establishing himself in the attic and spying on the family. It has a twist with the infidelity of Phil and the consequences for Tom as he makes Julie discover what her husband is doing. However, his advances are repulsed - with violent consequences. The film doesn't need the shock ending with Tom suddenly reviving to a attack Julie before being shot dead.

1. Entertaining thriller? In the serial killer massacre conventions of the 80s?

2. The atmosphere of the apple pie American town, suburbia, the house, affluence? The musical score?

3. The title and audience expectations? The traditions of movies about people who are mad and wanting some kind of home and peace in the family?

4. The prologue, Tom, his relationship with his parents, their physical parental abuse of him? His violence, angers and their deaths? His being in the institution?

5. Tom, his relationship with the psychiatrist, the interviews, going out on his own, hopes?

6. Tom's discovery of the house, seeing the couple take it? Going up into the attic, fixing up the room, giving himself an enclosure? Settling in? His surveillance system, spying on the family? His satisfaction and contentedness in being with the ideal family?

7. The portrait of the family, their relationship with one another? Glamorous husband and wife, their professions, buying, the nice house? Their son and daughter? Their dog? The tongue in cheek/realistic portrait of the family?

8. The dog, sniffing around Tom's attic, Tom and his violence, killing the dog, burying it? The exterminator, going into the attic, curious about the wall, putting the fumes in? His being killed by Tom disguising himself as the man and driving off? Disposing of the body?

9. Audience sympathy with Julie, with the children? Seeing them in the house, at school? Phil and his absences? Tom and seeing Neil being bullied, teaching him to fight, to fight dirty? Julie and her initial reaction to Tom, friendship? Her reaction to his violent techniques? Her being upset? Tom coping with this?

10. Phil, his work, the affair, Tom overhearing? The plot, the invitation to Julie to discover her husband? Her reaction, the children? Phil and his pleading, Julie ousting him from the house? Tom's satisfaction?

11. The neighbour, his calling in, his advances, their being unwanted? Tom getting rid of him? Julie's indebtedness to him?

12. Julie's friendship with Rita, outings, discussions, settling in the house? Rita meeting Tom? Her returning, discovering Tom in the house - and his killing her?

13. Tom and his advances to Julie, her resisting, rejecting him? Phil coming back, wanting a reconciliation?

14. The build-up to the violent climax, Julie and her rejection of Tom, discovering his attic, Tom and his attack on her? Phil and the violent attack? Julie shooting Tom? His sudden rise to attack her again and the police killing him?

15. The future for the ideal couple, their children? Tom's tragedy?

16. How effective was the film as a thriller, suspense psychological drama, portrait of the ideal American family - with a touch of irony about the woes and ills in the family?