Intrusion – Netflix Review (4/5)

INTRUSION on Netflix is a new psychological thriller with a horror-fueled ending. Its runtime right around the 90-minute mark makes for a sharp story with good pacing. Even the slow-burn moments feel very intense. Read our full Intrusion movie review here!

INTRUSION is a new Netflix thriller starring Freida Pinto and Logan Marshall-Green. To be very honest, I was not expecting much from this Netflix movie based on its trailer. Fortunately, trailers have left me underwhelmed a lot recently, resulting in the actual movies being pleasant surprises.

This movie is yet another example of this. And yes, that means it is very much worth your time. Sure, you will guess some elements, but then again, this isn’t a mystery per say. You’re in the shoes of the main protagonist (Freida Pinto) and experience the psychological horror of her life right along with her.

Continue reading our Intrusion movie review below and find the movie on Netflix now.

Strong lead actors

With Freida Pinto and Logan Marshall-Green in the lead roles, the new Netflix movie Intrusion is off to a good start. In Intrusion, Freida Pinto plays Meera, the kind, trusting, and loving wife of Henry (Logan Marshall-Green). Meera and Henry have just recently moved into their new house – designed by Henry – but soon things start to go awry.

They experience a home invasion and instantly, their new house away from everything and everyone doesn’t feel as safe anymore. Still, Henry is a protective and supportive husband who always tries his very best to keep Meera happy. It’s all very idyllic but we quickly learn that they’ve had a rough past.

ANOTHER NETFLIX MOVIE FOCUSED ON A HOUSE

Check out out review of the Netflix thriller Aftermath here >

As a married couple of 12 years, Freida Pinto and Logan Marshall-Green are very believable from the start. If they hadn’t worked, neither could the movie. Of course, these two are also very strong actors in their own rights.

From Freida Pinto’s strong feature film debut in Slumdog Millionaire (2008), she has been staying busy. Including huge budget movies such as Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the Hulu series The Path. And we’ve long had a soft spot for Logan Marshall-Green.

From Devil (2010), which was based on an M. Night Shyamalan story, to Karyn Kusama’s The Invitation (2015), and Leigh Whannell’s Upgrade (2018). Logan Marshall-Green always makes a huge impression. Usually in very different ways, since he is the perfect chameleon as an actor. Something that works perfectly for Intrusion.

The strong ending of Intrusion on Netflix

Far too often, the ending of a psychological thriller can ruin the overall experience. For the new Netflix thriller Intrusion, I found the actual ending to be strong and tight in terms of twists and development.

I experienced one clear moment of irritation. You know the “why are you running up the stairs, when you should be running out the front door”-moment described perfectly in Scream. That was it. And yes, having just one real moment of that kind of irritation is virtually a blessing for me.

Also, there’s a strong follow-up to the irritating moment when you feel the character could have saved themselves but didn’t. You’ll see!

Watch Intrusion on Netflix now!

Adam Salky is the director of Intrusion with the screenplay written by Chris Sparling. For me, this is a stellar combination.  Previously, Adam Salky has directed a lot of short films (and I Smile Back from 2015). Plus he has a few movies in pre-production. Including the horror-thriller The Ceremony.

Chris Sparling has directed a few movies (including the 2016 horror-thriller Mercy), but I think his work as a screenwriter tends to be much stronger. He wrote the claustrophobic Ryan Reynold’s movie Buried (2010) and worked on the screenplay for El aviso (The Warning). Both are movies with simple but very efficient plots. Much like this one.

DO CHECK OUT

Our review of the Spanish mystery thriller El aviso here >

With a crisp runtime of around 92 minutes, you won’t have to wait too long for things to evolve in strange and suspicious ways. Overall, this is very much a psychological thriller that offers an ending that would work perfectly for a horror movie as well. 

I would give this movie 3½ out of 5, but since we don’t do halves here at Heaven of Horror, I am bumping this one up to four. There’s just more going for it than against it. A lot more! Especially in terms of story and acting.

Intrusion is out on Netflix from September 22, 2021.

Details

Director: Adam Salky
Writer: Chris Sparling
Stars: Freida Pinto, Logan Marshall-Green, Robert John Burke, Sarah Minnich