critics consensus

Meandering character development undercuts The Occupant's exciting premise, though Javier Gutiérrez's exceptional performance makes the proceedings work. Read critic reviews

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The Occupant Photos

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Movie Info

Javier Muñoz, once a successful executive, makes the fateful decision to leave his home, which he and his family can no longer afford.

Genre:

drama, mystery and thriller
Original Language:

Spanish (Spain)
Director:

Àlex Pastor, David Pastor
Writer:

Àlex Pastor, David Pastor
Release Date (Streaming):

Mar 27, 2020
Runtime:

1h 43m
Production Co:

Nostromo Pictures, Netflix España
Aspect Ratio:

Scope (2.35:1)

Cast & Crew

Javier Gutiérrez
Javier Muñoz

Mario Casas
Tomás

Bruna Cusí
Lara

Ruth Díaz
Marga

David Ramírez
Damián

David Selvas
Darío

Show all Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews for The Occupant

All Critics (23) | Top Critics (2) | Fresh (14) | Rotten (9)

The film waves off character development and merely side-eyes its frustrations with capitalism in its rush to convince us that this dullard is in fact a supervillain

April 3, 2020 | Rating: C | Full Review…

Amy Nicholson
New York Times
It's not without some pleasures but never really grips the way it should.

April 1, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Ian Freer
Empire Magazine
tarts as an intriguing, and sharply observed portrait of middle-age frustration and failure in an unforgiving culture of materialism and competition before morphing into a thriller that increasingly defies credulity

September 13, 2020 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

James Kendrick
Q Network Film Desk
The Occupant works with conviction within the conventions of the thriller genre. [Full Review in Spanish]

July 26, 2020 | Full Review…

Diego Batlle
La Nación (Argentina)
Javier Gutiérrez knows how to give his character touches of ambiguity and confusion, to generate uncertainty in the viewer. [Full review in Spanish]

June 29, 2020 | Full Review…

Pablo O. Scholz
Clarín
The main reason why The Occupant works is Javier Gutierrez's dedicated performance as the psychopathic, dejected advertiser who would go to any heights to get what he wants.

May 7, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Shikhar Verma
High on Films
An unnecessarily convoluted films that does its job at being creepy but at what cost? [Full review in Spanish].

April 13, 2020 | Rating: 2/4 | Full Review…

Federico Furzan
Cinelipsis
The film is an ungodly look at the career of older professionals, but isn't particularly creative or shocking. [Full Review in Spanish]

April 8, 2020 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…

Diego Batlle
Otroscines.com
This is a good thriller, but one can't help but feel that it didn't quite reach its full potential. [Full Review in Spanish]

April 8, 2020 | Rating: 3.5/5 | Full Review…

Luis Miguel Cruz
Cine Premiere
There's an interesting genre creep at hand in "The Occupant." At its outset, it is a domestic drama; by the conclusion, it's a tense, dark thriller. The transition is very careful - and fascinating to watch.

April 8, 2020 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…

Sean Collier
Pittsburgh Magazine
Siblings David and Àlex Pastor helm this psychodramatic exercise in unease that doesn't quite click, despite a strong and scary performance by Javier Gutiérrez.

April 4, 2020 | Rating: 6/10 | Full Review…

David 'Mad Dog' Bradley
Adelaide Review
The Occupant may have a few flaws but is still an entertaining watch, especially for a character study on perception, desire, greed and obsession for success.

April 3, 2020 | Full Review…

Tatat Bunnag
Bangkok Post