The Cleaning Lady

The Cleaning Lady is a 2018 horror-thriller movie, directed by Jon Knautz and written by Knautz and Alexis Kendra. The movie stars Kendra, Stelio Savante, and Rachel Alig in lead roles. The story revolves around a woman named Alice, played by Kendra, who works as a cleaning lady in a suburban area. The movie follows her dark past and her psyche as she befriends a lonely man named Michael and his daughter.

Alice is a victim of a gruesome fire accident that happened in her childhood, which left her face and body badly burnt. She is traumatized and abandoned by her mother, who couldn't bear the sight of her anymore. Alice is forced to live a life of solitude, doing menial jobs to make ends meet. She works as a cleaning lady in the daytime and spends her nights alone in her small apartment.

On the other hand, Michael, played by Savante, is a successful surgeon who is unhappy in his marriage. He feels disconnected from his wife, and his daughter is the only one who brings him joy. His loneliness leads him to befriend Alice, and she becomes his only confidante. He shares his darkest secrets with her, and Alice listens to him without any judgment.

Alice starts to develop an unhealthy obsession with Michael and dreams of being with him. She starts to fantasize about being accepted by him and his family. She creates a shrine in her apartment with pictures of Michael and his daughter, and this is where the movie takes a dark turn. Alice's psyche spirals out of control, and she becomes delusional, leading to some very disturbing scenes. However, her actions are driven by her need for acceptance and love, and there are moments in the movie where we empathize with her.

The Cleaning Lady is a slow-burn movie that takes its time to build the character's motivations and dark pasts. Kendra's portrayal of Alice is haunting, and she captures the character's range of emotions beautifully. Savante, as Michael, delivers a convincing performance of a man who is desperately seeking human connection. Alig, who plays Michael's daughter, is a supporting character, but she holds her own with her emotional scenes.

The movie has some gruesome and disturbing moments, but it doesn't rely on jump scares or gore to create tension. Instead, it uses Alice's psychology to create an unsettling atmosphere that stays with the audience long after the movie is over. The movie's climax, while not entirely unexpected, is satisfying and ties up the loose ends of the plot.

The cinematography of the movie deserves a special mention. The contrast between Alice's dingy apartment and Michael's pristine home is stark and enhances the movie's visual storytelling. The background score is minimalistic and complements the movie's eerie and eerie atmosphere.

In conclusion, The Cleaning Lady is an intense and thought-provoking horror-thriller that explores the psyche of a damaged individual seeking love and acceptance. It is a movie that will leave an indelible impression on you and is a must-watch if you are a fan of the genre.