The Man in the Attic

Set in early 20th century Milwaukee, this fact based drama follows an older married woman who grows restless with her life and provides a home for the young man who once befriended her late son. Their affair becomes a deeply private double life as she quietly hides him away in the attic for years, turning the house into a kind of guarded sanctuary and turning other relationships into fragile, strained alliances. The secrecy creates a tense web that unsettles family, friends, and neighbors alike, as rumors swirl and trust erodes. As the decades pass, the couple's bond casts a long shadow over everyone around them, raising questions of power, loyalty, and the price of acting on forbidden feelings. The film remains anchored in real events, presenting a stark portrait of obsession and consequence without sensationalism. Its emphasis on character over spectacle invites comparisons to other TV thrillers of its era.

Directed by Graeme Campbell, this 1995 TV movie adapts a real life Milwaukee case. Scripted by Duane Poole, Tom Swale and Norman Winski, it features Anne Archer, Len Cariou, Alex Carter and Neil Patrick Harris in a restrained, moody piece.

Box office data were not released for this television film, which aired in 1995 rather than having a theatrical release.

There are no major nominations or wins recorded for this title. As a television movie it did not figure prominently in industry awards, though it offers a tense period drama with strong performances that may appeal to fans of intimate, character driven storytelling.

The film offers a quiet psychological drama about secrecy, aging, and the seductive pull of forbidden desire inside a marriage. It drew modest audience attention and holds a 4.36 out of 10 average from seven votes. The production's restrained approach underlines the emotional cost of secrecy and the way environment can mirror the characters' internal pressure.