“A STALKER IN THE HOUSE” (2021) Shows Us A Terrifying Look Into The Dating World
Dating can be the greatest thing and the worst thing for any of us. Sometimes even at the same time. No one enjoys being single. That’s why there are so many dating apps out there to herd the lonely hearts out there together in a way to find some sort of love. Don’t get me wrong, I am not knocking people for using dating apps to find love. I met my wife on one. The thing that isn’t so great is the horror stories that come from those dating apps. Robbery, physical attacks, and even murders have surfaced from situations revolving around dating apps. The world of course is scary enough as it is, but this element tends to add a bit of an extra edge of terror for any of us.
Hollywood is in the business of using current things in the world that scare us (as they have done throughout the many years movies have been around) in their movies to get the audience into a feeling of relative fear when it comes to some of the releases we have seen at the theaters. It’s a good way to make horror movies. You look at a treasured classic like “Halloween” where which was introduced in the late ’70s to bring light and spark fear into the audience regarding the home invasion slashers that were terrorizing the country during that time. Not only that, the ’70s were followed by the whole “satanic panic” movement which many filmmakers used as a springboard for many films that came out in the ’80s. It is a good tactic when it comes to making a horror movie, but it also is a nice way to remind us of the evils of the world.
Recently I got the chance to watch the all too real horror film “A Stalker in the House” from Uncork’d Entertainment. This film from director Jared Cohen features Scout Taylor Compton from Rob Zombie’s “Halloween” films. This film’s main cast includes Veronika Issa, Jack Pearson, Nick Ryan, Jared Cohn, and Michael DeVorzon. The film oddly starts with a couple in the middle of an argument that is for a plot set up for the audience before getting ramped up. The couple fighting are Mike (Jack Pearson) and Alexa (Scout Taylor Compton). The crazy thing about this couple fighting is that we get a death scene three minutes into the film. Honestly, I cannot remember the last time I saw a movie that had a death scene so fast in the beginning and even before the title card no doubt. I do enjoy a good cold open in horror movies and this one very much sets up the insanity of this film.
The main character Mike very much gives off some strong “Incel energy” mixed with a bit of rageful insanity at the beginning of the film, as well as through the whole story that unfolds in front of us. After this intense and fatal domestic dispute, we are introduced to the main character Jen (Veronika Issa). Jen is a single woman who has recently gone through a breakup. Like most people do after a breakup and taking some time to heal, goes looking to find her match with online dating. She connects with Mike, who appears to be a classic handsome man and quite charming. The incel side of course comes out from him when Mike and Jen are kissing, then tries to take things further. Jen has a rule of no sex on the first date which causes Mike to go off one of those dumb “why can’t women” blah blah blah rants that are honestly dumb no matter what is said. This gives the audience quite a realistic look at what women, unfortunately, have to without in the dating world these days.
The movie continues with a lot of back and forth “cat and mouse” texting from Mike whose obsession for Jen continues to grow. Even going as far as him doing the classic lame guy move of “the leave behind” (as most of us over the age of 30 remember George Costanza doing in “Seinfeld”) with his watch after begging to use her bathroom before she kicks him out. This gives Mike a way to weasel a face-to-face with Jen later in the film. He continues to be persistent after this. Even with Jen’s friend Lisa grabs Jen’s phone and tells Mike off during one of his many calls to her. He somehow wears her down enough for them to have a drink together at her place. He uses this chance to once again beg for a second chance and a date. With Jen yet again standing her ground and telling him no, things get heated to the point where she slaps him, then screams at him to get out. You can clearly see Mike’s anger building during this whole scene.
Jen is literally saved by the bell when her neighbor Patrick (portrayed by director Jared Cohen) comes over to save her from what could have easily been an even scarier situation. Patrick and Jen have some wine that was left behind by Mike and chit-chat a bit before he ends up confessing his crush for her. She smiles but politely declines his offer for a date and he is very understanding (as it should be when a woman or anyone doesn’t want to peruse a romantic relationship when you take a shot. This especially goes for you, my dudes) about this by extending a preverbal hand of friendship to her. Patrick decides to leave shortly after this and is suddenly attacked by Mike. Mike appears to have subdued him so that he can sneak into Jen’s house by remembering the door code she uses earlier. This of course amps up more of the terror when you see him lurking around without Jen’s knowledge, watching her and admiring her from a distance.
Lisa then stops by to talk with Jen the next morning about Mike and the events that happened the night before and a blind date Lisa has set up for her to move on from her ex, as well as the insane date she recently has been on. All the while Mike is watching this getting anger in his eyes because Lisa is trying to prevent, him and Jen from being “together”. Lisa leaves and of course, by no surprise we see her get grabbed by Mike who holds her hostage in her car before stabbing her. Jen then meets her blind date Rick (Nick Ryan). They clearly are hitting it off and he (like any reasonable man) understands her “no sex on the first date” rule, then continues to kiss her.
The final parts continuing to the end of the film caused some increased intensity between Mike and Jen, especially since her ex-boyfriend Gerry (Michael DeVorzon) enters the picture once again. The last 35 minutes or so of this movie keeps you on the edge of your seat while everything unfolds. Each passing minute gets more intense than the minute before. I will say that I very much enjoyed this film. It has a story that many people don’t realize happens to women in the dating world more often than people realize. I very much respect the fact that the writers and director of this film decided to bring light to this all too true story.
The cast is also fantastic in this movie. Veronika Issa and Jack Pearson completely shine in this film. The way that Jack Pearson portrays Mike and all his wheelhouse of emotions, plus insanity in this film very much reflects the range he has. The same of course can be said about Veronika Issa playing Jen and proving that standing your ground, as well as fighting back against situations like this shows how strong women truly can be. This movie is a high recommend for me and one you should add to your collection for a frightful rewatch.
“A Stalker in the House” from Uncork’d Entertainment is now available on-demand and on DVD. Get your copy today.
