I normally have a soft spot for stories and movies done independently, because I'm an author. I understand that sometimes you just HAVE to tell your story, and you have to get it out into the world. And I know with movies, that sometimes means the production won't be fantastic, and sometimes the acting isn't the best, and there's no budget for effects.
However, this is a movie that should never have been made. Someone's friend or family should have had a serious discussion about all the problems, and maybe encouraged the crew to workshop it a bit.
There IS a hint of an idea that could be good: what if that roommate you let move in was a psycho killer?
And that's what I think might have happened. The opening title card dares to claim "inspired by true events", and I think it might have been because the woman responsible for this (based on her story, her production, her as the lead actress) once had a weird roommate, and she once wondered what darker things were going on in the other person's life. That's the closest to true this movie gets.
The characters are unlikeable. Natalie is rude, as Miko accuses, thus her plight isn't sympathetic. The third roommate is barely around, but her performance was so odd when she WAS around that I couldn't tell if the director was asking her to play up the accent. Miko isn't scary or intimidating, but rather brash and weird, and set up red flags from word one that she shouldn't be allowed to move in.
So many characters have stupid reactions that I can't even call it a plot hole. Like when the dog goes missing from his crate but none of the apartment doors were open, and no body calls the cops for a stolen dog. Natalie gets yelled at about how crazy her new roommate is being, then does nothing to kick the new girl out. One of the neighbors gets killed, and there are never any questions from cops nor anyone noticing that guy isn't around anymore.
The acting is awful, the script is even worse, and the director/cinematographer should never be allowed to work a camera again. Too many oddly framed shots and close ups and cuts, and no idea how to light scenes to create tension without washing it all out.
Just skip it. There is nothing redeemable, and I can't recommend it even in the relentless search for entertainment of '20/'21.
