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5.7/10
Senior Film Conservator
A definitive 5.7/10 rating for a film that redefined the boundaries of cult cinema. Someone at the Door remains a cornerstone of transgressive art.
If you have a soft spot for 1930s British comedies that accidentally turn into home invasion thrillers, you might get a kick out of Someone at the Door. If you need your movies to have a coherent tone or a budget that covers more than three rooms, stay away.
It’s a strange beast. One minute it's a dry farce, the next it's trying to be a suspense piece about stolen diamonds. It feels like two different scripts got stapled together in the dark.
The whole premise is honestly kind of gross when you think about it. A brother and sister deciding to fake a murder just to get some headlines for a dying career? They aren't exactly likable people, but that’s kind of the point, I guess.
They move back to this manor that looks like it's holding itself up by sheer willpower. The wallpaper is peeling in every shot. It feels dusty even on a digital screen.
There is this one scene with the jewel thieves that goes on for way too long. They just stand around arguing about where to hide the loot, and you can tell the actors are bored. Someone actually sighs in the background, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t in the script.
It reminded me a bit of the frantic energy in Stolen Heaven, but without the polish. It’s got that same vibe of 'we have a set and a deadline, let’s just start shouting lines.'
You can see the seams everywhere. There's a moment where a door swings open and hits a prop, and the whole camera shakes. Nobody bothered to do a second take. Honestly? I kind of respect that. 🎞️
It’s not a masterpiece, and it’s certainly not high art. It's just a weird little antique that managed to survive. Sometimes that’s enough.
If you enjoyed the chaotic energy of Big Business Girl, you'll find something here to chew on. Just don't expect it to make sense by the time the credits roll. It barely makes sense while it's happening.