Sarah tries to start anew in LA, but her neighbours are not what they seem.Sarah tries to start anew in LA, but her neighbours are not what they seem.Sarah tries to start anew in LA, but her neighbours are not what they seem.
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We all have apartment horror stories: annoying roommates, asshole landlords, dilapidated buildings, among many more nightmare scenarios. The search for a nice place to live in a desirable location with reasonable rents, decent neighbors and soundproof walls is more of a challenge than it should be, so when Sarah lucks into a sweet one-bedroom at Asilo Del Mar Apartments, she think she's hit the jackpot. Situated on a quiet street in Los Angeles, it's got plenty of space, friendly tenants, group BBQs and even a cute neighbor next door. But this being L.A., all is not what it seems: loud noises start keeping her awake at night; her cat is missing; everyone seems to be a little too helpful and friendly, except for the weirdo, Lester. Soon, Sarah learns she didn't choose this apartment - it chose her. —AnonymusB
Top review
Nifty little film. Escapist, holds one's attention.
Some reviewers forget the obvious questions most potential viewers have when reading IMDb reviews. Here are my answers to them:
1. If you're looking for suspense versus a bloodbath with jump scares, then "1BR" will give you the low-level anxiety fix you're seeking.
2. It doesn't drag. The movie's 90-minute run time passes quickly, and it will competently hold your interest. It's escapist in the best sense of the word.
3. Production values, plot, directing, and acting don't read as cheesy in spite of a modest budget and a lack of big-name talent. It's a great reminder that simplicity often succeeds where CGI and tens of millions of dollars do not.
The performances some describe as "flat" are, to me, understated and depict believable reactions to depression, shock and brainwashing. One expects the depressed and those tortured into submission to be subdued, not over the top. That said, the acting is merely good, not great.
Complaining about a movie being predictable is like complaining that the outcome of an election is predictable. There is a limited array of possibilities, so predicting correctly doesn't exactly make you a genius.
Is it too predictable? I foresaw "1BR" going two or three possible directions, all of which have been done before in one way or another. It did, indeed, travel one of the those paths. That said, in spite of an expected general outcome, the ending does offer an unexpected twist that's fair and supported by the plot.
For those always seeking a higher message, there's one to be had, and this sets "1BR" apart from other run-of-the-mill, low-budget thrillers. The filmmakers don't beat the social commentary drum too hard -- it's chancy with a movie like this -- but "1BR" does say a little something about the tyrannies of paternalism, forced conformity, and ideology by threat, phenomena we're seeing a little too much of in society these days.
As with any movie, the fun isn't always in the destination. Rather, it's often in the path you take to get there. That's true for most films, and it's true for "1BR." But no one can force you to watch it. At least not yet.
1. If you're looking for suspense versus a bloodbath with jump scares, then "1BR" will give you the low-level anxiety fix you're seeking.
2. It doesn't drag. The movie's 90-minute run time passes quickly, and it will competently hold your interest. It's escapist in the best sense of the word.
3. Production values, plot, directing, and acting don't read as cheesy in spite of a modest budget and a lack of big-name talent. It's a great reminder that simplicity often succeeds where CGI and tens of millions of dollars do not.
The performances some describe as "flat" are, to me, understated and depict believable reactions to depression, shock and brainwashing. One expects the depressed and those tortured into submission to be subdued, not over the top. That said, the acting is merely good, not great.
Complaining about a movie being predictable is like complaining that the outcome of an election is predictable. There is a limited array of possibilities, so predicting correctly doesn't exactly make you a genius.
Is it too predictable? I foresaw "1BR" going two or three possible directions, all of which have been done before in one way or another. It did, indeed, travel one of the those paths. That said, in spite of an expected general outcome, the ending does offer an unexpected twist that's fair and supported by the plot.
For those always seeking a higher message, there's one to be had, and this sets "1BR" apart from other run-of-the-mill, low-budget thrillers. The filmmakers don't beat the social commentary drum too hard -- it's chancy with a movie like this -- but "1BR" does say a little something about the tyrannies of paternalism, forced conformity, and ideology by threat, phenomena we're seeing a little too much of in society these days.
As with any movie, the fun isn't always in the destination. Rather, it's often in the path you take to get there. That's true for most films, and it's true for "1BR." But no one can force you to watch it. At least not yet.
helpful•8910
- vandeman-scott
- Aug 30, 2020
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