The Vagrant (1992)

User Rating:

5.0/10   

Director:

Chris Walas

Writer (WGA):

Richard Jefferies (written by)

Release Date:

15 May 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

He's NOT home alone.

Plot:

A business man buys a house, but he has a hard time trying to get of it's previous tenant, a dirty bum.

Plot Keywords:

Visual Hallucination | Framed For Murder | One Eyed Man | Stabbed In The Eye | Wino

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Bill Paxton	...	Graham Krakowski
Michael Ironside	...	Lt. Ralf Barfuss
Marshall Bell	...	The Vagrant
Mitzi Kapture	...	Edie Roberts
Colleen Camp	...	Judy Dansig
Patrika Darbo	...	Doattie
Marc McClure	...	Chuck
Stuart Pankin	...	Mr. Feemster
Teddy Wilson	...	X-Rays
Derek Mark Lochran	...	Det. Lackson
Mildred Brion	...	Mrs. Howler
Brett Marston	...	Blonde Cop
Ken Love	...	Cop (Buzz)
Katherine Gosney	...	Graham's Mother
Steve Gates	...	Public Defender

Also Known As:

Psychose meurtrière (France)
Scream 911 (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

France | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:18 | USA:R | UK:18 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Company:

Brooksfilms

Trivia:

The SWAT raid scene took three days and 1500 bullet hits to set up. All of which were fired in less than one minute, resulting in less than 10 seconds of on-screen time.

Quotes:

Lt. Ralf Barfuss: Pick the gun up
Graham Krakowski: Why?
Lt. Ralf Barfuss: So I can shoot you

Two words: Bill Paxton. Two More: Enough Said...

The Vagrant tells the story of Graham Krackowski (the always magnificent Paxton), who moves into his new home only to be terrorized by an unruly homeless vagrant that lives across the street in an abandon lot. That's it, but that is all this film needs because Paxton, director Chris Wallas, and the rest of the cast turn a simple plot into a memorable laugh-scare fest. And like most film buffs would agree, finding the right mix of horror and comedy is not easy to do, and even when it is done, it's hardly ever done right. Not in this case however...

A subplot deals with Paxton up for a promotion at his suit-wearing executive job, as well as his girlfriend flying into town for a visit. With just the right amount of time spent on each to add to the story, the focus remains however on Paxton and his unwanted guest.

What begins as simply an inconvenience to him, escalates into an all out war of head games, wit, and eventually murder, with Paxton losing his girl, his job, and untimately his mind in the process. But what makes the story truly compelling, is that the audience is left in limbo throughout most of the film as to if all the happenings are indeed caused by the vagrant or by Paxton himself?

Now I'm not one to spoil a good whodunit, so I will leave that rock unturned for those who haven't had the privilege of seeing this little charmer. Because when it is all said and done, the ending has more than a few surprises.

So don't be left out in the cold like our antagonist, and rent this wacky masterpiece before its too late. And remember, if you ever find a book on the toilet of the house you are looking to purchase, think twice...