[4.25/10] The Roommate (2011)

The Roommate (2011)

Brief review: Obviously inspired by numerous thrillers from the 90s, "The Roommate" is a pretty standard fare about a deranged college freshman who becomes obsessed with her new roommate. If it was made 20 years ago, it would have been very successful, but in 2011, pretty much everything about this movie feels dated... the idea, the plot, the script, even the execution. However, the film's biggest flaw is not its overall datedness, but its failure to generate any tension, or to deliver thrills, chills, scares, and suspense. Technically, "The Roommate" is also very disappointing, due to Christiansen's unimaginative by-the-numbers direction, and the film's relatively plain visual style. The acting is the only area in which this film doesn't fail completely. Well, sort of. Minka Kelly not only looks stunning, but she gives a surprisingly decent , if a bit lifeless performance as the naive and kind-hearted Sara. Leighton Meester also does an okay job, and she's moderately disturbing in her role as the obsessive Rebecca, though her character is so stereotypical, it's hard to take her seriously. Most likely, Cam Gigandet has been cast more for his looks rather than his talent, and Billy Zane, while undoubtedly charismatic and talented, feels a bit out-of-place here.

Overall summary: Not only "The Roommate" suffers from its painfully hackneyed premise, weak script, sub-par acting and utter predictability, but it's neither scary or thrilling enough to be called a horror movie, nor suspenseful or intriguing enough to be considered a thriller.