Ever a had neighbor from hell? You know, the one who never cleans, makes too much noise at night with his jigsaw, and breeds cockroaches and pumps them into your apartment? Never have? Well, pump up your paranoia with thi... more »s outlandish if mildly enjoyable thriller starring Melanie Griffith and Matthew Modine as San Francisco yuppies-cum-landlords who rent out an apartment in their Pacific Heights house to mild-mannered Michael Keaton in order to make the mortgage payment. What seems like a happy arrangement all around turns hellish when: (a) Keaton refuses to pay the rent; (b) firmly entrenches himself in the apartment thanks to some legal maneuvering; and (c) starts playing with the cockroaches. Ostensibly, Keaton wants to drive Griffith and Modine to bankruptcy and then pick up their fab Victorian house for cheap, but as is the way of all thrillers, he's got a sadistic and homicidal bent to back up his real-estate envy. Director John Schlesinger (Midnight Cowboy) manipulates the thrills somewhat effectively, if not gratuitously, especially with Griffith's damsel-in-distress character, turning on the tension in the don't-go-to-the-attic/garage/basement set pieces. Part of the problem of the film lies in its schizophrenic tone: one moment it's a what's-in-the-dark? thriller, at other times a nifty cat-and-mouse game of psychological wills between Keaton and his landlords. Both sides of the movie are effective in their own right, and Keaton is a great psycho, but Schlesinger doesn't quite bring it together, despite a considerably amped-up climax. Still, if the sight of a beautiful house being slowly destroyed is your idea of the ultimate horror, you'll be chilled to the bone. Look for Griffith's mother, Tippi Hedren of The Birds fame, in a small role. --Mark Englehart« less
Actors:Melanie Griffith, Michael Keaton Genres:Drama, Mystery & Suspense Sub-Genres:Drama, Mystery & Suspense Studio:Warner Home Video Format:DVD - Color,Widescreen,Anamorphic - Closed-captioned DVD Release Date: 06/01/2004 Original Release Date: 09/28/1990 Theatrical Release Date: 09/28/1990 Release Year: 2004 Run Time: 1hr 42min Screens: Color,Widescreen,Anamorphic Number of Discs: 1 SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Total Copies: 0 Members Wishing: 2 MPAA Rating: R (Restricted) Languages:English, French Subtitles:English, French
Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 6/11/2025...
Even though this is an older movie, the bases couldn't be more true. This movie made me HATE Michael Keaton...not for poor acting, but for his vicious character!
K. K. (GAMER) Reviewed on 4/9/2025...
Strong start and a great look at being a landlord. Much of this is very true but then about mid-way and the ending, they jumped lots of sharks. Still a crazy ride with the Batman but you won't be wanting to watch this again. Matthew Modine was a bit too hyper in his character and it should have been toned down some.
Shannon W. Reviewed on 2/10/2013...
not for me, but my sister loved it.
1 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Dale H. from CARTER LAKE, IA Reviewed on 3/18/2011...
Wonderfully suspense filled movie.
Enough twists to keep you guessing as to what will happen next.
I highly recommend this movie.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Jewl W. (wallja99) from STEVENS POINT, WI Reviewed on 10/10/2010...
Great movie, A mind thriller to be them all
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Pacific Heighs
Mark I. Yanagida | 03/07/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Michael Keaton prooves he can be scary, scary, scary! Makes you never want to be a landlord. My wife loves watching this DVD over and over again. Anthony Hopkins wants to retire his Hannibel Lecter role? Michael Keaton can make that role scarier!"