Do you know those remarkable individuals who refuse to tolerate any form of misbehavior? The ones who never shy away from speaking their mind, even in the face of adversity? Well, I am proud to count myself among them. Whether it’s a brazen line-cutter or an uninvited intruder, my unmistakable expression and razor-sharp words always make my stance crystal clear. And if you have a penchant for outstanding actresses like Alex Essoe and Precious Chong, then Homewrecker, just might be your new favorite film. One that explores the lasting impact certain individuals can have on our lives, especially when they possess a touch of madness.
That’s how Homewrecker opens—with subtle yet intriguing undertones that silently lure you in until it’s too late to resist. While my immediate reaction to such a situation would have likely involved a skillful exit strategy and a fictitious phone call, that would have been far too easy, leaving no room for a thrilling cinematic experience. And believe me, once Michelle willingly enters Linda’s abode, there’s enough suspense and shock to leave you hurling proverbial objects at the screen in disbelief.
Stop Me If You Think You’ve Heard This One Before
You will never see me being guilted into spending time with someone who’s clearly taking advantage. There is a clear difference between social civility and ignoring your gut. Ignoring your gut— people get cut… that’s all I’m saying about that. I’m not saying I cut people but perhaps Linda likes her scissors in this film. If you’re looking for horror, stick around. Even though Homewrecker feels like a thriller, for the most part, the finale will show you what’s what.
Within the minimalist structure of just three characters in a day, the use of a single location is not utilized as well as it could have been. It’s still pretty good considering the movie is set almost entirely inside Linda’s two-story home.
Precious Chong & Alex Essoe Cast of HomeWrecker Movie
Homewrecker is a chaotic film brought to life through the creative collaboration of its two main stars and director, Zach Gayne. In Homewrecker, Precious Chong delivers a compelling portrayal of Linda, a woman in her 40s grappling with the remnants of her teenage angst. Accompanying her is the talented Alex Essoe, widely known for her exceptional performance in the cult classic, Starry Eyes (2014). Essoe’s presence, along with the stellar cast, elevates the film to new heights, leaving audiences craving more.
The film had its world premiere at Fantasia International Film Festival, in 2019. Produced by An Underground Jamboree, this pop-horror-satire has some parts in its 74-minute runtime that shimmer with the brilliance of a neon leotard. I caught a glimpse of a teenager stuffed in a 40-year-old woman stuffed inside Glen Close from Fatal Attraction.
Full performance points go to Linda for her Lisa Loeb rendition of; Stay. It was a stroke of genius that encapsulated any lovelorn teen’s expectations of keeping a man. Chong’s Linda keeps her eyes locked on the camera as she belts out the lyrics and if you have ever been a teenager you just might blush with the memory of having done it yourself. Perhaps without the leotard. Or the sledgehammer.
My Little Secret, “Homewrecker”
That massive sledgehammer that adorns Linda’s wall is almost a homage to Anne Wilkes of Misery. However, it doesn’t get to enjoy the tension-filled freedom of a story like that. Instead, it’s hefted and heaved from time to time by two women in a futile attempt to use it as one tries to leave and the other makes them a forever friend. There are a lot of tussles in Homewrecker and after the first few, they were getting on my nerves. It felt like the filmmakers had run out of narrative.
In the movie titled “Homewrecker,” the audience is kept in suspense as Linda’s true motivations are carefully concealed. However, the very title of the film hints at the direction the story will take. Rather than Linda taking the lead, it is Michelle, portrayed as a kind-hearted yet naive character, who propels the narrative forward.
See it if you need a lesson in when to bite your tongue and when to have your say. For another great review of Homewrecker, follow this link for a Letterboxd review by BERT.
The Homewrecker movie is rated
2.5 I only hear what I want to out of 5
Looking for home invasion movies like Homewrecker? Watch these titles next Door Lock (A remake of Sleep Tight) | Motion Detected | Coming Home in the Dark or I See You.
