Watch The Tenant

The Tenant is a psychological horror movie released in 1976, directed by Roman Polanski, who also stars as the protagonist, Trelkovsky. The story revolves around Trelkovsky, a Polish-born man who moves into a Parisian apartment following the suicide of the previous resident. As the movie progresses, Trelkovsky becomes increasingly paranoid that the other residents of his building are conspiring against him as he starts to identify with the previous tenant's life.

The Tenant's opening scenes set the tone for the movie's eerie and unsettling atmosphere. As Trelkovsky moves into his new apartment, he is immediately met with hostility by his new neighbors. The atmosphere in the building is claustrophobic, and Trelkovsky's isolation is palpable.

The Tenant's themes of alienation and paranoia are evident throughout the movie. Trelkovsky struggles to adjust to his new surroundings, and his sensitivity to his surroundings only increases as he uncovers the previous tenant's life. Trelkovsky's attempts to integrate himself into his new community are met with hostility, only serving to heighten his sense of isolation.

As Trelkovsky's paranoia starts to take over, his narrative becomes increasingly unreliable, leaving the audience questioning whether the events in the movie are real or imagined. Despite the movie's horror elements, The Tenant is primarily a character study, exploring the protagonist's descent into madness and the impact his delusions have on his life. Polanski's performance as Trelkovsky is convincing, and his portrayal of the character's descent into madness is captivating.

The Tenant's supporting cast is equally impressive, with Isabelle Adjani delivering a memorable performance as Stella, one of Trelkovsky's neighbors. Stella is instrumental in Trelkovsky's descent into madness, and Adjani's portrayal of the character perfectly captures her enigmatic and manipulative nature.

Melvyn Douglas also stars in The Tenant, portraying Monsieur Zy, a retired architect who attempts to befriend Trelkovsky. While Zy is initially portrayed as a sympathetic character, the audience's perception of him changes as the movie progresses.

The Tenant also features stunning cinematography, capturing the oppressive nature of Trelkovsky's new surroundings with precise camera work. Polanski creates an ominous, claustrophobic atmosphere, with the camera work effectively conveying the sense of confinement that Trelkovsky feels.

The Tenant's ending is a testament to Polanski's ability to create a haunting and ambiguous horror movie. The ending leaves the audience questioning what has happened, with a final shot that leaves a profound impact.

In conclusion, The Tenant is a must-see for fans of psychological horror. Polanski crafts a haunting and thought-provoking movie, with an intense atmosphere and captivating performances by the cast. The Tenant isn't an easy watch, but it's a movie that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

The Tenant is a 1976 thriller with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6 and a MetaScore of 71.