Apartment Zero (1988)

94% of critics liked it
(18 reviews)
65% of users liked it
(1,782 ratings)

A withdrawn Beunos Aries movie buff develops an unusually charged relationship with his new roommate in this off-beat psychological thriller. Reclusive and demanding, movie theater owner Adrian LeDuc is none too happy when circumstances force him to share his apartment. His outlook begins to shift,… More A withdrawn Beunos Aries movie buff develops an unusually charged relationship with his new roommate in this off-beat psychological thriller. Reclusive and demanding, movie theater owner Adrian LeDuc is none too happy when circumstances force him to share his apartment. His outlook begins to shift, however, when he meets Jack Carney, a confident charmer with movie star looks. Adrian is both strangely attracted to and resentful of Jack, and the two form a sometimes awkward, often unspoken bond. This connection is challenged, however, when it is revealed that Jack may be hiding a horrible secret in regards to his enigmatic past. While it always remains grounded in the dynamics of the roommate's relationship, the film expands to encompass much more, from an implicit critique of obsessive movie fandom to a look at the bloody politics of the Argentinean military regime. Ultimately, however, the film is primarily concerned with creating a mood of slowly building suspense mixed with a streak of black humor, which becomes more pronounced as the film approaches its violent climax. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 4 min.
Directed By: Martin Donovan
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Drama

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Feb 20, 2007
Studio: Anchor Bay Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Vincent Canby, New York Times
It pretends to be a psychological-political melodrama but plays like the work of a dilettante; that is, the work of someone who wants to make movies, has the means to make them, but doesn't, as yet, know what he wants to make them about.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
A minor skid for Donovan is sure-driving for too many others.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
It gets your attention, makes you laugh and passes the time for a while.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Stylish and intriguing mystery tale made on a low budget
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It remains intriguing even when it sort of derails in the final reel.
Brian Holcomb, PopMatters
Maybe it's no surprise that the decade in which AIDS reared its ugly head produced an astonishing number of films concerning dangerously repressed homosexual protagonists.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
Donovan's bizarre, riveting thriller surely belongs on any list of the best "movies you've never heard of."
Phil Hall, EDGE Boston
A victory of style over substance, with crisp direction and a pair of remarkable performances carefully obscuring a very shaky screenplay.
Staci Layne Wilson, Horror.com
Part psychological drama, part serial killer mystery and part black comedy, [it] isn't for the casual viewer; but if you like your horror on the peculiar side you'll gladly open the door to Apartment Zero.
Marjorie Baumgarten, Austin Chronicle
Apartment Zero is a psychological drama that is part black comedy and part erotic thriller.

Read all 10 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

jay n

odd but with excellent performances by two fine actors.
Drew S

This is a neat little flick that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else but Flixster. A big treat for Colin Firth fans, where he plays his usual affected, stuffy British self until a delightful little turn in the last half hour or so. The plot is original and inventive,… More
This is a neat little flick that you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else but Flixster. A big treat for Colin Firth fans, where he plays his usual affected, stuffy British self until a delightful little turn in the last half hour or so. The plot is original and inventive, though it gets sidetracked way too easily worrying about a bunch of side characters who ultimately end up being unimportant. When the main storyline is actually resolved, you realize that very little has actually happened throughout the movie. Further, that main storyline can be poorly explained sometimes. I didn't really understand the whole army subplot at all, or even why the killer was acting as he did. I don't know if it was the director's intent or not, but it was confusing. Apartment Zero does do a lot of things right, though, including a strong tone, awesome settings and some very good performances - not to mention the ridiculous sexual tension. This movie is the biggest tease ever, seriously.
Danny R

An intriguing psychological drama with sexual overtones set in Buenos Aires about a lonely cinema owner Colin Firth in a excellent multi-layed performance who's life is changed when he is forced to rent his insane mother's room to a mysterious stranger Hart Bochner in a… More
An intriguing psychological drama with sexual overtones set in Buenos Aires about a lonely cinema owner Colin Firth in a excellent multi-layed performance who's life is changed when he is forced to rent his insane mother's room to a mysterious stranger Hart Bochner in a sensational performance who may be a mass murderer. Extremely well acted by the entire cast, brilliantly directed and scripted by Martin Donovan, a dramatically charged film. Highly Recommended.

Cast

            Colin Firth as Adrian LeDuc

            Hart Bochner as Jack Carney

            Dora Bryan as Margaret McKinney

            Liz Smith as Mary Louise McKinney

            Fabrizio Bentivoglio as Carlos Sanchez-Verne

            James Telfer as Vanessa

            Cipe Lincovsky as Mrs. Treniev

            Mirella D'Angelo as Laura Werpachowsky

            Juan Vitali as Alberto Werpachowsky

            Francesca d'Aloja as Claudia

            Miguel Ligero as Mr. Palma

            Elvia Andreoli as Adrian's Mother

            Marikena Monti as Tango Singer

            Mane Arauz as Prospective Tenant

            Daniel Astesano as Immigration  Officer

            Robert Baldi as Political Group in Cinema

            Javier Balina as 2nd Paramedic

            Max Berliner as Prospective Tenant

            Debora Bianco as Girl in Cafe

            Sandra Calderon as 2nd Nurse

            Jorge Caseres as Young Man with Vanessa

            Maria Jose Catino as Prospective Tenant

            Micky Chapman as 2nd Woman in Cinema

            Claudio Ciacci as Young Man in Cinema

            Lisanne Cole as Political Group in Cinema

            Stephen Cole as Strange-looking Man in Airport

            Gabriel Corrado as Victim in Hotel Room

            Federico D'Elía as Boy in Cafe

            Sebastian de Nico as Political Group in Cinema

            Ezequiel Donovan as Foreign Element

            Horacio Erman as Political Group in Cinema

            Ines Estevez as Political Group in Cinema

            Raul Florido as Jack's Argentine Contact

            Veronica Gambini as Girl with Carlos in Building

            Juan Jose Gato as Political Group in Cinema

            Ruth Jasiuk as Political Group in Cinema

            Goran Johansson as Foreign Element

            John Kamps as Foreign Element

            Pablo Lena as Political Group in Cinema

            German Palacios as Political Group in Cinema

            Nicolas Pereyra as Doctor at Instititution

            Miguel Angel Porro as Taxi Driver

            Gabriel Posniak as Dead Man

            Daniel Queirolo as Young Cop

            Alfredo De Quesada as Speaker at Group Meeting

            Eduardo Peralta Ramos as Foreign Element

            Luis Romero as Projectionist

            Claudia Rosenblat as Nurse

            Darwin Sanchez as Police Inspector

            Oca Spirito as 1st Woman in Cinema

            Rosario Varela as Girl with Carlos at Tango

            Guillermo Willart as 1st Paramedic

            Marina Zemma as Political Group in Cinema
See full cast