Synopsis
Boy in the Walls is a 2023 American thriller film directed by John Suits and starring Ryan Michelle Bathe, Jonathan Whitesell, Luke Camilleri, Cassandra Sawtell, and Mikkal Karim-Fidler. The film is based on the true story of Daniel LaPlante, who secretly lived in the walls of a family’s home for almost a year.
Cast and Director
- Ryan Michelle Bathe as Alisa Jensen
- Jonathan Whitesell as Joe
- Luke Camilleri as Chris Jensen
- Cassandra Sawtell as Maya Jensen
- Mikkal Karim-Fidler as Theo Jensen
- John Suits as Director
Premiere Date
Boy in the Walls premiered on Lifetime on August 12, 2023.
Story Plot
Alisa Jensen (Ryan Michelle Bathe) has recently married and moved to a new house in rural Connecticut with her husband Chris (Luke Camilleri) and their two children, Maya (Cassandra Sawtell) and Theo (Mikkal Karim-Fidler). Alisa is struggling to adjust to her new role as a stepmother and to the isolation of rural life. She begins to hear strange noises in the house and to feel like someone is watching her. When she tells Chris and the children, they don’t believe her. Alisa eventually discovers that there is a young man, Joe (Jonathan Whitesell), living in the walls of her house. Joe is a phrographer, someone who secretly lives in another person’s home without their knowledge or permission. Joe is mentally ill and has a violent past. He becomes obsessed with Alisa and her family, and he begins to stalk them. Alisa and her family must find a way to get rid of Joe before he hurts them.
Critical Response
Boy in the Walls has received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics have praised the film for its suspenseful plot and strong performances, while others have criticized it for being too predictable and formulaic. The film has a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 10 reviews.
My Review
Boy in the Walls is a suspenseful and disturbing film based on the true story of Daniel LaPlante, who secretly lived in the walls of a family’s home for almost a year. The film stars Ryan Michelle Bathe as Alisa Jensen, a new stepmother who moves to a new house in rural Connecticut with her husband and two children. Alisa begins to hear strange noises in the house and to feel like someone is watching her. When she tells her family, they don’t believe her. Alisa eventually discovers that there is a young man, Joe (Jonathan Whitesell), living in the walls of her house. Joe is a phrographer, someone who secretly lives in another person’s home without their knowledge or permission. Joe is mentally ill and has a violent past. He becomes obsessed with Alisa and her family, and he begins to stalk them. Alisa and her family must find a way to get rid of Joe before he hurts them.
Boy in the Walls is a well-made film with strong performances from the cast. Ryan Michelle Bathe is particularly good as Alisa, a woman who is struggling to adjust to her new life and who is terrified by the presence of Joe in her home. Jonathan Whitesell is also good as Joe, a disturbed young man who is both menacing and sympathetic. The film is suspenseful and disturbing, and it will keep you on the edge of your seat. However, the film is also somewhat predictable and formulaic. If you’ve seen other home invasion thrillers, you’ll probably be able to guess what’s going to happen next.
Overall, Boy in the Walls is a well-made and suspenseful film that is based on a disturbing true story. The film is not perfect, but it is worth a watch if you’re a fan of home invasion thrillers.
Here are some of the pros and cons of Boy in the Walls:
Pros:
- Strong performances from the cast
- Suspenseful and disturbing
- Based on a true story
Cons:
- Somewhat predictable
- Formulaic
- Lacks originality
Overall, I would give Boy in the Walls a 7/10. It’s a well-made film with strong performances, but it’s not without its flaws. If you’re a fan of home invasion thrillers, then you’ll probably enjoy Boy in the Walls. However, if you’re looking for something more original, then you might want to look elsewhere.
Life Lessons
Boy in the Walls teaches us a few important life lessons, including:
- Always trust your gut. If you feel like something is wrong, it probably is.
- Don’t be afraid to speak up if you feel unsafe.
- Never judge a book by its cover.
- It’s important to have a strong support system in place.
- You can overcome anything if you never give up.
Conclusion
Boy in the Walls is a suspenseful and disturbing film that will keep you on the edge of your seat. The film is well-acted and directed, and it delivers a few important life lessons. If you’re looking for a movie that will make you think and keep you entertained, then Boy in the Walls is worth a watch.
