Roman Polanski’s 1994 adaptation of the Ariel Dorfman play is an effortless exploration of suspicion, trauma and paranoia. The story takes root in the tension formed when a former Chilean revolutionary suspects her husband’s houseguest to be the fascist doctor who tortured and raped her when she was held captive.
Driven by its limited (but nonetheless powerful) ensemble, the film stands as a showcase of acting as well as direction. Sigourney Weaver delivers one of the strongest performances of her career as the Chilean exile, and Ben Kingsley is absolutely perfect as the convincingly earnest, yet undeniably menacing guest.
And when it comes to his classic game of heightening suspense among his desperate characters, Polanski is no doubt in top form.
These various elements mesh together to result in arguably the most underrated of all of the director’s films.
