🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Antti Jokinen
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2011
- Runtime (length): 1h 31min
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10 (30K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 28%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A doctor moves into a suspiciously cheap apartment and discovers her landlord is really, really into home improvement… by spying on her.
🍿 The Resident: Detailed Plot Synopsis
New Beginnings
Dr. Juliet Devereau, a recently divorced ER doctor, seeks a fresh start in Brooklyn. She finds a spacious, affordable apartment owned by Max, a charming and seemingly lonely landlord. Despite some reservations, Juliet decides to move in, hoping for a peaceful new chapter in her life.

Growing Suspicion
As Juliet settles in, she experiences strange occurrences in her apartment. Windows slam shut unexpectedly, and she feels a constant sense of being watched. Unbeknownst to her, Max has been secretly observing her through hidden peepholes and passageways within the apartment building, fueling a disturbing obsession.

The Rewind
The movie employs a narrative rewind, revealing Max’s initial encounter with Juliet at the hospital where she works. His obsession begins after a brief interaction, leading him to manipulate events to ensure she rents the apartment. This rewind exposes the extent of his premeditation and the depth of his disturbing fixation.

Descent into Darkness
Max’s behavior escalates as he drugs Juliet’s wine and sneaks into her apartment at night, touching her while she sleeps. Juliet experiences unexplained fatigue and begins to suspect foul play. She installs hidden cameras, uncovering the horrifying truth about Max’s voyeuristic and intrusive actions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Dr. Juliet Devereau (Hilary Swank): A newly single ER doctor who unknowingly moves into an apartment building owned by a dangerous stalker.
- Max (Jeffrey Dean Morgan): The handsome but deranged landlord who secretly spies on and drugs his tenant, Dr. Juliet Devereau.
- Jack (Lee Pace): Juliet’s cheating ex-boyfriend who tries to reconcile, only to become a victim of Max’s obsession.
- August (Christopher Lee): Max’s elderly grandfather who lives with him and is aware of his grandson’s dark tendencies.
- Sydney (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor): A supportive colleague and friend to Juliet at the hospital.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- August: “What’s the matter with you? Why don’t you stand up for yourself? Just like your father. Your mother, she was beautiful. But she married a weak man. And then she gave birth to another.” – August berates Max, revealing his harsh and critical nature and hinting at Max’s troubled past.
- Max: “I thought you could pull me out of these walls. I didn’t want this at all. I’m so sorry. I was never gonna hurt you.” – Max says this to Juliet during the final confrontation, revealing his inner turmoil and inability to control his obsession.
- Juliet: “That’s what people do to see if they fit together.” – Juliet is explaining why she kissed Max.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $1,889,417
- Worldwide Gross: $6,742,156
💥 The Resident Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a thrill-ride, but it was more of a slow burn. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is charming at first, but as things progress, he becomes genuinely unsettling. I was on the edge of my seat during the final chase scene, and the hidden passageways in the apartment added a creepy claustrophobic feel. Overall, if you’re looking for something suspenseful with a touch of horror, this might be your thing. I loved the camera work in this one!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of suspenseful thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in stories about stalking and privacy invasion”
- “People who enjoy Hilary Swank’s performances”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Sexual content”
- “Voyeurism”
- “Drug use”
- “Violence”
- “Some disturbing scenes”
Professional Reviews
- KillerReviews.com: “Hilary Swank should stay away from horror. The movie hinges on Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s creepiness, but he’s not convincing. Jump scares are overused, and the ending is unengaging. The movie does not work on any attempted level.
- Grady Harp: “”The Resident” is well-made and photographed, but the script is too slim. Hilary Swank is professional, and the cast is attractive. The film is pleasant but non-involving, with little suspense or viewer caring.
- N/A: “The Resident is creepy at first but grows weird and yucky fast. Somewhat creepy, a voyeuristic ‘ick’ factor, even decent acting but it never feels grounded and completely falls apart by the end.
Audience Reactions
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s performance was praised for his ability to portray both charm and unsettling creepiness.: Viewers often noted the film’s ability to create a sense of unease and paranoia due to the voyeuristic nature of the plot.
Overall Consensus: Generally, viewers found “The Resident” to be a passable thriller with some creepy moments, but it suffers from predictability and a lack of originality.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Sir Christopher Lee injured his back during production after falling over a cable. However, he was also knighted during the filming of this movie.”
- “The movie is a modern take on classic Hammer horror themes, focusing on psychological suspense rather than supernatural elements, a departure for the studio.”
- “Filming took place in Brooklyn, New York City, adding a sense of realism and claustrophobia to the setting.”
🖥️ How to Watch The Resident?
The Resident is available for streaming on various platforms, including Prime Video and Apple TV, where it can be rented or purchased. Check your preferred streaming service for availability in your region. You can also find options to buy or rent the movie through digital retailers like Amazon and Vudu.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed The Resident, you might like these similar films:
- Single White Female (1992): Explores the theme of obsession and a dangerous invasion of privacy, similar to the landlord’s behavior in ‘The Resident’.
- Pacific Heights (1990): Features a seemingly charming tenant who turns into a nightmare, causing fear and disruption to the homeowner’s life.
- Psycho (1960): A psychological thriller where the disturbed character’s inner thoughts and actions are revealed. The peeking through the hole scene is similar to the scenes in the Resident.
- You (2018-Present): Modern series about a man with dangerous obsessive tendencies who goes to extreme lengths to be with the woman he desires, with focus on voyeurism and manipulation.
🛒 The Resident Related Products
- Apartment Security System: A comprehensive security system designed for apartments, featuring wireless cameras, motion detectors, and smartphone integration. Increase your peace of mind with 24/7 monitoring and remote access.
- Peep Hole Cover: Peep hole cover with 2-way mirror preventing viewers from looking into your home from the hallway.
- Yale Assure Lock 2 Plus Smart Lock – Key Free with WiFi: Smart Lock with the option to lock and unlock your door without the use of keys. Can be monitored and controlled via wifi from anywhere.
- Sabre Home Security Door Stop Alarm: Emits a 120 dB alarm when pressure is applied to the door stop, deterring intruders. Simple to use and install, this door stop alarm provides an added layer of security for homes, apartments, and travel.
🎧 Soundtrack
The Resident 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
The Resident was primarily filmed in Brooklyn, New York City, capturing the urban environment of the storyline.
The Resident is a fictional story, but it explores realistic themes of stalking, voyeurism, and violation of privacy, tapping into common fears about home safety and personal space.
Max, the landlord, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is the primary antagonist and villain in The Resident. He develops a dangerous obsession with Juliet, leading to disturbing acts of stalking and intrusion.
According to the movie’s plot, Juliet’s blood work reveals traces of Demerol, Valmid, and Valium, which Max used to sedate her.
🔥 Bonus Content
Resident Evil The Final Chapter Is So Bad There May have Been A Plot Hole – Worst Movie Ever
Ever notice something *off* about the ending of Resident Evil: The Final Chapter? This video breaks down a major plot hole that’s honestly kind of hard to miss once you see it. Prepare to question everything!
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