Roommate, The

Stars: Leighton Meester, Minka Kelly, Cam Gigandet, Aly Michalka, Billy Zane

Director: Christian E Christiansen

A DVD release at best. But at least you can say that this psychotic-roommate 'thriller' is quite enjoyably bad. The girls in it all look alike and indeed their roles could be interchangeable.

Kelly is Sara, a new student at college who finds herself roomed with the slightly edgy Rebecca (Meester), who tries to dominate their relationship. Soon bedded by boy-band drummer Stephen (Gigandet), Sara finds herself invited to Rebecca's palatial home. 'Is she taking her medication?' asks her mother (the formidable Frances Fisher), as the (very basic) plot kicks in.

Back in the dorm, Sara rifles through Rebecca's things. and finds the aforementioned medication. 'It says it's used to treat psychotic conditions,' she gasps, while Stephen gulps 'I just thought she was weird'. It isn't long before knives are flashing and a final confrontation looms.

Poorly directed by Christiansen, who doesn't allow the actresses any chance to impose their personalities on their roles, the film also marks another step down in the once-promising career of Gigandet, who has been rapidly relegated to rotten third-billed roles like this. Underlit cinematography only emphasises the Danish director's lack of flair for suspense.

David Quinlan

USA 2011. UK Distributor: Sony (Columbia). Colour by deluxe.
91 minutes. Widescreen. UK certificate: 12A.

Guidance ratings (out of 3): Sex/nudity 0, Violence/Horror 1, Drugs 0, Swearing 0.

Review date: 05 Apr 2011