MovieChat Forums > Of Unknown Origin (1983) Discussion > Underrated horror gem

Underrated horror gem

posted 14 years ago by Fat_Lives_Matter
4 replies | jump to latest

I had the privilege of catching this movie over the weekend and must say it deserves much more than a 5.9/10. I love the fact we never get an origin story (as the title suggests) of the rat. No cheesy mad scientists engaging in genetic manipulation, nor does the rat take a dip in any toxic waste dumps. The creature just appears in this poor SOB's apartment like any other vermin and starts to make his life a living hell. I also dug the not-so-subtle reference to Moby Dick and the proverbial corporate "rat race." Nice little horror flick for a rainy night.

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] sistermorphine71 13 years ago

I enjoyed this quite a bit. Peter Weller is great and some scenes were downright hilarious (the rat bursting out of the birthday cake is priceless)!

[–] Niki3333 12 years ago

I loved this as well. Peter Weller makes it all that it is. Great acting! And I loved the quiet rant at the business dinner party that he did. That was actually some top notch acting. I felt as uncomfortable as the rest of the guests. It was beautifully subtle watching Weller kind of lose his mind in front of his co-wkers. He was so great in this!!

I agree that we didn't need to know anything about where/why the rat came from.
I didn't want or need to know. I just loved the obsessive point of view we get to see as Weller sinks deeper and deeper.

And I was also really creeped out by the super next door. He had such a weird vibe about the whole thing. He and the rat-getting supply guy were odd. Like they see people losing their ever-loving minds over rats every day. Must be life in the big city... lol.

[–] asgard-5 12 years ago

Loved it. The cinematography is amazing. Some of the situations are borderline comedic, but I think the movie knows that.