A young couple is spied upon by their creepy landlord in Slumlord. Claire (Brianne Moncrief) and Ryan (PJ McCabe) are a young married couple, who have just moved into a new suburban house, as they prepare for the arrival of a new baby. However, the relationship between between the two isn't going well and Ryan has even begun a secret affair with his assistant Hannah (Sarah Baldwin). However, this affair isn't much of a secret, since Claire and Ryan's very unkempt landlord Gerald (Neville Archambault) has installed fiber-optic cameras all across the house and spies on their every move, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
One thing that must be said right off the top in regards to Slumlord is that the titular character was perfectly portrayed by Neville Archambault. With his thinning hair and a constant blank stare, there is something immediately unsettling about Gerald the landlord and he even gives Claire the creeps when he first shows them the house at the start of the film. With cameras everywhere in the house, including some unimaginable locations, Gerald sits alone at his computer and stares at the action, while also sneaking into the house when Claire and Ryan are not around to prepare for some more sinister plans.
Slumlord is a horror film that really plays into the fears that everybody has about being observed without their knowledge. The film starts off with the fact stating that 30 million security cameras are sold every year and that 8000 people are watched in their homes without knowledge. Slumlord is shot in such a way that much of the action is shown from the POV of the camera, so the audience is true voyeur of the action. Altogether, Slumlord is a frightening voyeurism tale that will make people think twice before renting.
★ ★ ★ ★ | LIKED IT
