Why I took it off the list: I’m a fan of actress Lin Shaye (Elise in Insidious, Dead End), so was eager to check out her work in a rare leading role.
Also, the plot sounded very much in the vein of ‘hagsploitation’ films, which I just wrote an article about, so was curious to see this modern interpretation of the genre.
So, let’s dig in!
Review of Room for Rent (2019)

Room for Rent opens with a shot tracking a police van to the scene of a crime: a man’s body lays dead in the backyard of a house, while nearby, police question Mrs. Joyce Smith (Shaye) about what appears to be the accidental death of her husband.
Shortly after the funeral, she dumps his old porn magazines (along with her wedding ring!) into another drawer to make space for his urn, which she then locks away: there is clearly no love lost here.
Learning that her late husband has left her nothing but debt, she decides to rent out a room in her home, but proves to be a rather intrusive host. Her first clients at her new B&B business bail out early as the man isn’t happy with her over-attentiveness, but she keeps in touch with the woman, Sarah, through letters.
However, she seems totally smitten with her next lodger, a down-on-his-luck drifter named Bob, after they have a chance encounter at a library.
It’s not long before she begins overstepping boundaries by going through his things, trying out his cologne, and even using his toothbrush (!). She becomes increasingly obsessed by the young man, especially after Bob steps into defend her from the neighborhood hoodlums.
Shaye’s Unhinged Performance Makes the Film

Joyce asks Bob to bring her a towel when she’s naked in the bath, and makes up romantic stories about their escapades. But when Sarah comes for a visit, and he becomes flirty and then hooks up with her, Joyce becomes insanely jealous.
As this is going on, it gradually becomes apparent that Joyce might not be as innocent in her husband’s death as at first glance, especially after she throws away his ashes while screaming, “You’re not gonna ruin my life anymore!”.
Meanwhile, Bob is revealed to be something of a shady character, arguing loudly in Spanish over the phone and frequently showing up with visible bruises from fighting. However, Joyce insists on turning a blind eye.
All of these potlines converge in a surprising climax that is perhaps not what one is expecting, and plays to the key strengths of the film, namely Shaye’s impressive performance.
Shaye makes for an engaging villainess, grounding Joyce as nervy, insecure, and socially anxious in the early scenes, making it easy to sympathize with the character.
She’s then incredibly fun to watch as she goes into full-on psycho mode later in the film.
Final score: 7/10
Room for Rent (2019): Worth Watching?
Yes, Room for Rent is an entertaining modern version of a ‘hagsploitation’ film, thanks in large part to Shaye’s committed and versatile performance.
This blog offers a thoughtful review of *Room for Rent*, highlighting its compelling storyline and strong performances. It’s a great resource for movie enthusiasts looking for insightful critiques on indie films.