Why ‘The Intruder’ Is Such A Terrifying Concept For A Psychological Thriller

The Intruder is a psychological thriller planned to hit theaters this spring. The story follows a married couple who moves into a new house — but the old owner does not leave that easily.

Judging by the trailer, this film is going to make audiences feel uneasy about going home from the theater. Here are the main reasons why the concept is so scary:

The storyline is alarmingly realistic.

Unlike most horror movies, there aren’t any ghosts or supernatural creatures lurking around the house in The Intruder. There is only a man. The scariest things in the world are the things that could actually happen to you — and, unfortunately, anyone could come across a man who wants what is yours and is willing to do anything within his power to get it.

Home intruders are more common than you think.

The majority of break-ins are committed by someone who lives in your neighborhood. That is because they are able to learn your schedule. They know when you leave for work. They can see when your car leaves the driveway and when you open your windows. Someone who has actually lived inside your house would know even more. They would know which floorboards creak. They would know which windows jam. It’s extra incentive to change the locks when you move into a new place. You never know who still holds a key.

You are never safe — not even in your own home.

3.7 million homes are broken into each year. That means seven homes are broken into every minute of every day. If you are not careful about keeping yourself protected, you could be dealing with an intruder of your own. Pieces of what happen in this film could happen to you.

You never know what someone is capable of doing.

If someone is going to kill you, you probably know them. 58% of homicide victims know their killer. They are either friends, lovers, or casual acquaintances — but they know each other personally. In this film, the wife feels bad for the intruder. She thinks he is lonely. She pities him. She does not realize she should fear him. She proves it’s all too easy to read a person wrong.

No one sees themselves as a villain.

At one point in this film, the intruder says, “If you lost everything that was important to you and then you had a chance to get it back wouldn’t you just go for it?” He believes he is doing the right thing. He does not have evil intentions — at least, he does not think he has evil intentions. That is how crime works in the real world. Every person sees themselves as the good guy, which is what makes them so dangerous.

Watching this film will make it hard for you to sleep at night.

The creaks you hear in the middle of the night might be a product of an old house. Or they might be the sounds of someone walking through your halls uninvited. Sometimes, it’s hard to tell the difference.