The Resident

Juliet Devereau, a surgeon, moves to a sleek Manhattan apartment to begin anew after splitting from her husband. The unit offers generous spaces, a dramatic skyline, and a landlord who seems accommodating. At first the arrangement feels perfect, almost tailored for a fresh start. But as days pass, Juliet notices odd details: doors that will not close properly, sounds echoing through the walls, and a sense that someone is watching from the shadows. The building feels alive with secrets, and the more she settles in, the more she questions who truly controls the space she calls home. What begins as a quiet relocation tightens into a nerve test where trust becomes unstable. Her instincts push her toward hidden truths.

Released in 2011, The Resident was directed by Antti J Jokinen. The screenplay comes from an original work by Robert Orr, with Hilary Swank as Juliet Devereau.

Critics noted the taut atmosphere and Swank's committed performance while finding the plot familiar. The film explores themes of home invasion, surveillance, and trust, reminding viewers that sanctuary can feel fragile when walls start revealing what hides in the margins.

The Resident did not become a lasting cultural touchstone, but it adds to a line of late 2000s thrillers that use urban living as a threat. It lingers on anxiety about privacy, and it prompts discussions about whom we invite into our space.