Directors:Lem Dobbs; Matthew Patrick; Michael Patrick
AMG Rating:
Genre: Adventure
Movie Type: Psychological Thriller
Themes: Infidelity
Main Cast: Gary Busey, Mimi Rogers, Michael McKean, Kurt Christopher Kinder, Candy Hutson, Elizabeth Ruscio
Release Year: 1990
Country: US
Run Time: 109 minutes
MPAA Rating: R
Plot
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, All Movie Guide
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 1989horror film directed by Matthew Patrick and starring Gary Busey as Tom Sykes, a psychopathic mental patient who creates a home for himself in the attic of the Dreyer family's new house. Scarred by an abusive and turbulent childhood, Tom is stung by the Dreyer's family problems and becomes obsessed with Julie.
