Of all the infamous real-life crime stories, one of the oldest and trendiest amongst horror buffs and true crime fanatics alike is that of Lizzie Borden. Accused of brutally murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in Fall River, Massachusetts in 1892, she was later famously acquitted of the crime. Though she lived out the remainder of her life as a free woman, she was seen as a pariah and an outcast, with many believing she quite literally got away with murder. The Inhabitant, directed by Jerren Lauder (who previously discussed The Inhabitant with HorrorBuzz) and written by Kevin Bachar, focuses on the enduring legacy of Lizzie Borden by telling the tale of a reputed family curse, and its effects on her present day descendants.

Part psychological thriller and whodunnit, part commentary on mental health, and just the right amount of expected horror, this film centers around angst-ridden teenager Tara (Odessa A’zion) and her struggles. At a glance, she comes off as a stereotypical teen – she plays sports, hangs out with her best friend, and agonizes over her boyfriend, Carl’s (Michael Cooper, Jr.) impending move across the country for college. 

Her home life, however, feels less than stable. Her parents’ relationship appears to be on the verge of divorce, and her mother, Emily (Leslie Bibb) comes across as distant and detached, often ignoring Tara’s infant brother and leaving him to be cared for by her and fellow sibling, Caleb (Jackson Dean Vincent). There’s also the topic of Tara’s aunt that continually comes up, and the heinous crime she once committed.

All of this burns slowly at first, but eventually gets tied neatly together once Tara begins exhibiting concerning behavior after she sees disturbing visions. Is what she’s experiencing the result of a rumored Borden family curse, or is it the fracturing of her own mental health, as many in her life are quick to suspect? And what is Tara’s connection, if any, to a series of unsolved murders in their small town? 

The Inhabitant is half horror story and half mystery, combining the elements of both and feeding them to the audience as bread crumbs along the way. It relies heavily on themes of familial instability and inherited traits, both psychological and supernatural, while blending historical scandal and modern day brutality.

The true strengths of the film come from its talented cast and engaging atmospheric tone. A’zion is captivating and authentic as Tara, coming across as sympathetic and vulnerable despite her penchant for the customary teen eye rolls and biting tone. You really feel for her plight as the plot unfolds, and the stakes for not only her, but her entire family, begin to heighten. She’s continually exasperated with the world around her, but she’s also trying to do her best, even when it seems almost everyone in her life doesn’t quite understand her.

This movie is impressively shot, with sweeping, moody exteriors that play well against the spooky, autumnal Massachusetts backdrop. Cinematographer Brian Sowell knows how to tonally set the mood for a story steeped in Halloween Time lore, with plenty of rustic shots of brightly colored red and orange-adorned trees. 

From a pacing standpoint, The Inhabitant does suffer from some midpoint slump, and veers slightly off course from time to time, with unneeded focus on a number of side storylines that could likely be cut altogether and not adversely affect the film. Fortunately, the stellar acting from both lead and supporting roles and the engaging focus on tone and ambience make up for this, pulling you in and gripping you tightly until the final climactic moments.