The Tenant

Roman Polanski's controversial career took a new turn with this highly satisfying, if often grotesque, psychological horror story. Polanski's paranoia finds spectacular expression in the disturbing story of an office worker who moves into a spooky Paris apartment house. Based on a novel by Roland Topor and adapted by Polanski, the film was a risky move for the scandal-plagued director, who cast himself in the starring role. His character becomes obsessed with the apartment's former occupant, who committed suicide. Isabelle Adjani is essential in a supporting role, helping to keep the film marginally sane. Some critics found the movie tedious and overdone; others compared it to Polanski's early breakthrough, Repulsion. ~ Michael Betzold, All Movie Guide