Hider in the House is a well-made and produced but ultimately unsatisfying and formulaic slasher thriller. Tom (Gary Busey) was an abused child who learned to avoid the abuse by hiding under sinks, in closets or anywhere he could be out of sight. After spending 10 years in a mental institution for setting a fire that killed his parents, Tom is released and finds a newly built house where he makes his home in the attic. The house is bought by Julie (Mimi Rogers) and Phil Dryer (Michael McKean) and their children. Tom begins to feel that he is part of the family, but when Phil is unfaithful to Julie, Tom plots his revenge. Busey is compelling in his role and builds Tom's character with skill to show him as both a dangerous and sympathetic psychopath. Unfortunately, the film does not fulfil its potential and slides into a predictable, formula ending, but the skillful direction and the good performance of Busey make this film well-worth viewing. ~ Linda Rasmussen, Rovi
Bruce Glover - Gary Hufford; Leonard Termo - George the Exterminator; Rebekka Armstrong - Attractive Woman; Russell Bobbitt - Patient; Jake Busey - Tom's Teenage Voice; Christopher Cory - Patient; Michael Cutt - Charlie; John del Regno - Desk Clerk; Martin Goslins - Maitre d'; John Green, Jr. - Bernard; Carole King - Tom's Mother; Brian Krutoff - Party Guest; Chuck La Font - Dr. Gordon; Bob Neill - Tom's Father; Peter Henry Schroeder - Dr. Spencer; Ryan Sheridan - Tom's Child's Voice; Michael Childers - Party Guest; Jimmy Lewis - Policeman
Credit
Cate Bangs - Art Director, Lauren Lloyd - Casting, Gail Levin - Casting, Lem Dobbs - Co-producer, Stuart Cornfeld - Co-producer, Colleen Atwood - Costume Designer, Lem Dobbs - Director, Matthew Patrick - Director, Michael Patrick - Director, Debra T. Smith - Editor, Diane Nabatoff - Executive Producer, Christopher Young - Composer (Music Score), Victoria Paul - Production Designer, Jeff Jur - Cinematographer, Steven E. Reuther - Producer, Edward Teets - Producer, Michael Taylor - Producer, Diana Williams - Set Designer, Jennifer Williams - Set Designer, Lem Dobbs - Screenwriter
Hider in the House is a 1989 made-for-TV horror film directed by Matthew Patrick and starring Gary Busey as Tom Sykes, a psychopathic ex-mental patient. The film's tagline was: You can't lock him out. He's already in.
Plot
A recently released psychiatric patient named Tom Sykes creates a home for himself in the attic of the Dreyer family's newly built house. He uses electronic devices to spy on them. The Dreyer's beloved dog Rudolph is murdered by Tom in an attempt to defend his family from the titular hider. After that, Tom really begins to get down to the business. He starts to focus his attention on the mom, Julie, going so far as to watch her skinny dip in the pool. He interferes secretly in the relationship between Julie and her husband, Phil, planting bogus evidence of secret love affairs. He befriends the Sykes' son Neal and teaches him fighting techniques. After two explosive arguments, Phil leaves the house and moves into a hotel. Seeing this as an opportunity, Sykes pretends to be a visitor who lives on Willmington St. a couple of blocks over. His attempt to insinuate himself into their lives works at first, although the creepy neighbor (and huge Philly fan) Gene is the only one who distrusts him. Sykes murders two people who had accidentally discovered his bizaare goings-on and finally Julie gets weirded out enough to reject his advances. Tom loses it, and he tries to kill Julie. Phil shows up and is severely injured defending her while Julie gets a gun and shoots Tom in the chest. But he's not dead! Tom gets up and tries to kill both Julie and himself, but the cops (summoned by the nice but still weird Gene) shoot Tom dead from the doorway.
Release
Due to Vestron's financial difficulties, the film was never given a theatrical release in the United States. It was only shown at film festivals and was given theatrical releases overseas. In 1991, the film was finally released on videocassette by Vestron Video. The film has been released on DVD in the United Kingdom, but as of February 24, 2010, Lions Gate Home Entertainment has yet to announce any plans for a region 1 DVD release.
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