plumneptune I wanted to watch this film after listening to a Malcom Gladwell podcast in which he references the movie. I saw the ratings were poor but I watched it anyway and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. There is a surprise twist at the end I did not see coming!

Alyssa Black (Aly200) What do you expect from a run-of-the-mill crazed criminal terrorizes an innocent woman? Not much I would hope, but there is some decent thrills to be had if one turns off the overly analytical part of the brain.Idris Elba delivers a solid performance as psychopathic killer Colin Evans, the film's antagonist. Elba uses subtle menace and his husky vocals (convincing American accent included) to convey the evil within Colin instead of being a caricature of an over-the-top madman. The actor also makes his violent actions erupt like a volcano rather than methodically killing his prey; Colin kills in fits of rage than planning out his deeds, but his mind games are planned methods of psychological torture and threats of harm. Too bad the actor's ultimate demise is generic with the plot of a home invasion film like 'The Hand that Rocks the Cradle'.Actress Taraji P. Henson also delivers solid work as the film's heroine, Terry. Henson comes across as the typical bored housewife who gave up her dreams to raise her kids and longs for excitement in her life. However Terry's world is turned upside down when Colin shows up and she is initially not too suspicious of her guest. However Colin's behavior soon unnerves her and Terry doesn't hesitate to start acting on removing him from her home. Henson does not become a stereotypical damsel in distress as she combatively attacks Elba's Colin and is able to protect herself throughout the chase scenes and of course triumphs in the end.The film's script is generic for a thriller of the home invasion genre with the psychotic killer, innocent homeowner on her own and of course plenty of killings and chases. The film does contain some genuine tension and some jump scares. The chemistry between the leads is believable as the tension mounts and you wonder how Henson's Terry will escape and Elba's menace spooks the viewer as much as Terry.

Masseyrt Considering the crime idris Elba's character is accused of and the fact taraji Henson's husband is a lawyer I find it ridiculous she didn't recognize him. There had to be news coverage considering the heinous aspects of the accusation. Glaringly stupid fact that RUINED THE MOVIE. Ms Henson is a incredibly beautiful actress I'm sorry this movie is so intellectually insulting.

edwagreen I thought that I was going to see a rehashing of 1956's The Desperate Hours with Fredric March, the head of a household that is terrorized by a murderer.Am sure that many were thinking how a woman who was a prosecutor would leave a stranger in her home based upon what she knew could result from prior experience.Idris Elba gets rebuked by the parole board only to escape and go on a killing spree.Elba must have been a man of steel surviving Taraji Henson's stab wound as well as lamps and other objects hurled at him. It would take 3 bullets and flying out the window to draw a climax to the situation.What about that suspicious policeman along the highway. He must have known that an escaped killer was on the loose. Instead of talking, his relative inaction would lead to his downfall.The revelation of her husband was really an unnecessary plot twist.