The Collector

It's crazy to think that I've never written a review (Well, a personal review, not <A HREF="https://boxd.it/4WvYjD">one for work</A>) for one of my favorite films, <I>The Collector</I>, and it's sequel, <I>The Collection</I>. I've spoken about the film in-person multiple times, most recently during Tribeca Film Festival at Letterboxd's Studio, and will most likely do so on an upcoming <B><A HREF="http://letterboxd.com/doublethreat">Double Threat Podcast</A></b> episode (Cc <A HREF="http://www.letterboxd.com/carignano">@Mauro</A>).

From beginning to end (every time I watch it), I was glued to the screen, watching the story unfold as a down-on-his-luck man sees an opportunity to rob a home belonging to a family whom he's currently working for and who will be away for the weekend. Sounds easy. Once he's inside, that's where it really begins. It turns out someone else beat him to the punch.... but not to rob the home. He's collecting and torturing people, and Arkin, well-played by Josh Stewart, may be his next victim, but not if he can get out alive.

It's a game of cat and mouse while we witness unspeakable acts of torture intended to inflict the maximum amount of pain, as well as featuring excellent direction and cinematography. It's not crisp to perfection and I believe the directors/producers intended it to be that way. It has a gritty/grimy feeling that pertains to this film only (the sequel is of much higher quality), but it works. In fact, it works too well, which is why it's one of my favorite horror (and home invasion) films.

The Collector2009

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