🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Josh Klausner
- Genre: Thriller, Mystery
- Release year: 1999
- Runtime (length): 1h 30min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (5.8K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A woman moves into a suspiciously cheap apartment and then gets mad when the local weirdos start a prank war that escalates to actual crime; maybe she should have just moved in with her weatherman boyfriend?
🍿 The 4th Floor: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Inheriting the Apartment
Jane Emelin, played by Juliette Lewis, inherits her aunt’s rent-controlled apartment in New York City after her mysterious death. Despite her boyfriend Greg’s (William Hurt) desire for her to move in with him in Westchester, Jane decides to embrace her independence and move into the spacious apartment. This decision sets the stage for the strange and unsettling events that follow.

Unsettling Neighbors and Strange Occurrences
Immediately upon moving in, Jane encounters a host of eccentric and unsettling neighbors. These include Martha Stewart (no, not the famous one, played by Shelley Duvall), the building’s busybody, and a mysterious resident on the 4th floor, just below Jane’s apartment, who seems to be tormenting her with incessant noise. Strange occurrences begin to plague her apartment: infestations of maggots and mice create an atmosphere of escalating paranoia.

Paranoia and Suspicion
As the disturbances escalate, Jane becomes increasingly paranoid and suspicious of those around her. She begins to suspect the reclusive tenant on the 4th floor is responsible for the harassment. She also befriends Albert Collins, a seemingly kind neighbor, and is wary of the building locksmith played by Tobin Bell, whom she views from her window. Greg’s insistence that she move in with him adds another layer of tension and suspicion, as Jane struggles to discern who she can truly trust.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jane Emelin (Juliette Lewis): A young woman who inherits her aunt’s rent-controlled apartment and becomes the target of escalating harassment.
- Greg Harrison (William Hurt): Jane’s weatherman boyfriend, who initially seems supportive but harbors manipulative intentions.
- Martha Stewart (Shelley Duvall): A busybody neighbor in Jane’s building, adding to the unsettling atmosphere with her intrusive behavior.
- Mr. Collins (Austin Pendleton): A seemingly kind and nervous neighbor who has more to do with Jane’s harassment than it seems.
- The Lock Smith (Tobin Bell): A creepy locksmith and neighbor across the street who is connected to the strange happenings in Jane’s building.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Albert Collins: “Silence is the most beautiful noise in the world.” – Mr. Collins says this line to Jane, highlighting his desire for peace and quiet which takes on a sinister meaning.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $6 million
- Domestic Gross: $0
- Worldwide Gross: $0
💥 The 4th Floor Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching this late at night and being genuinely creeped out by the atmosphere. Juliette Lewis does a great job portraying the growing paranoia of the character. Some scenes, like the maggot infestation, were truly unsettling, but the ending felt a little rushed. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a suspenseful thriller that doesn’t rely on gore.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of psychological thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in movies with Juliette Lewis”
- “Those who enjoy suspenseful, character-driven stories”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Mild language”
- “Disturbing images (maggots, mice)”
- “Threatening situations and violence”
- “Mature themes”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “While the cast brings their A-game, the script is a predictable mess of thriller clichés and red herrings, leading to a disappointing conclusion.
- IMDB: “The 4th Floor’ keeps you guessing, but is ultimately predictable, it has good moments and builds suspense but lacks originality and ends on a disappointing note.
Audience Reactions
The creepy atmosphere and sense of isolation created a feeling of constant unease.: Viewers appreciated the suspenseful build-up and the feeling that something was always slightly off.
The movie keeps you guessing and the ending is a surprise: Plot twists and storyline are great at keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Overall Consensus: The movie is a suspenseful thriller with a great cast and a creepy atmosphere, but is often criticized for its predictable plot and rushed ending.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Director Josh Klausner primarily worked as a second unit director for the Farrelly brothers before directing ‘The 4th Floor’.”
- “The film went straight to video in the US but was released theatrically in Germany.”
🖥️ How to Watch The 4th Floor?
As of October 2024, “The 4th Floor” is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms. Check sources like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu for availability in your region. Unfortunately, it is not currently included with any major streaming service subscriptions.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The 4th Floor, you might like these similar films:
- Rosemary’s Baby (1968): Explores themes of paranoia and isolation within an apartment building with strange neighbors.
- Rear Window (1954): Features a protagonist who suspects foul play based on observations of their neighbors, similar to Jane’s suspicions.
- The Tenant (1976): A psychological thriller where the protagonist feels increasingly paranoid and isolated in their new apartment, with a sense of being targeted by their neighbors.
🛒 The 4th Floor Related Products
- Rosemary’s Baby (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]: A classic thriller exploring paranoia and isolation. If you liked The 4th Floor, you might enjoy this similarly themed classic.
- Hitchcock: Rear Window (Collector’s Edition): Considered one of the best of Alfred Hitchcock’s filmography, Rear Window is the story of a man who is convinced one of his neighbors is a murderer. This thriller classic starring James Stewart and Grace Kelly is both highly suspenseful and incredibly entertaining.
- Juliette Lewis Signed Autographed Photo – Natural Born Killers – BAS Beckett Slabbed: A slabbed, autographed photo of Juliette Lewis for the hardcore fan, authenticated by Beckett.
- Apartment Building Model Kit: Design your haunted apartment complex. Great for hobbyists and fans of atmospheric thrillers.
🎧 Soundtrack
The 4th Floor features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
While “The 4th Floor” shares thematic similarities with psychological thrillers like “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Rear Window”, it is an original story by Josh Klausner. Some reviewers have noted common tropes within the genre, but it is not a direct adaptation or remake.
The film initially leads the audience to believe that the reclusive tenant on the 4th floor is the main antagonist. However, the ending reveals a more complex plot involving Jane’s boyfriend, Greg, suggesting he may have manipulated events to scare her into moving in with him.
“The 4th Floor” was filmed in New Brunswick, Canada, which served as a stand-in for New York City. This is common in film production to reduce costs and logistical complexities.
🔥 Bonus Content
This is the fourth floor.#movie #viral #shorts
Ever wondered what the fourth floor is like in this movie? This short clip gives you a sneak peek! I found it pretty cool and it seems like an important location.
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