The Night the Prowler

The Night the Prowler is a psychological thriller from 1978 that revolves around a series of murders that occur in a posh suburb in Sydney, Australia. The movie is directed by Jim Sharman and stars Ruth Cracknell, John Frawley, and Kerry Walker in lead roles.

The plot of the movie is set in the late 1960s and early 1970s and centers around the lives of two families who live across the street from each other. The house of the protagonist, Alison (played by Kerry Walker), is where most of the action takes place. Alison is a young woman who is about to get married and is having second thoughts about her relationship with her fiancé. Her parents, played by Ruth Cracknell and John Frawley, are also dealing with their own marital problems.

The movie begins with the introduction of several characters who are potential suspects in the murders. These characters include a handsome stranger who is obsessed with Alison, the maid in Alison's house, and a nosy neighbor who is always peeping into the windows of the house across the street. As the movie progresses, the suspense builds up and several red herrings are thrown in to keep the audience guessing about the identity of the killer.

The Night the Prowler is a slow-burning movie that focuses more on the characters and their psyches than on the murders themselves. The characters are well-crafted and their interactions with each other are what makes the movie interesting. Alison, in particular, is a fascinating character who is both vulnerable and strong at the same time. Her relationship with her parents is a major subplot in the movie and is dealt with in a sensitive and realistic manner.

The cinematography of The Night the Prowler is excellent and captures the look and feel of suburban Sydney in the late 60s and early 70s. The movie has a muted color palette that creates a gloomy and ominous atmosphere, which suits the mood of the movie perfectly.

One of the standout features of The Night the Prowler is the performances of the lead actors. Kerry Walker is brilliant as Alison and brings a vulnerability and depth to her character that is rare in movies of this genre. Ruth Cracknell and John Frawley are also excellent as Alison's parents and their scenes together are some of the best in the movie.

Overall, The Night the Prowler is a well-crafted psychological thriller that will keep you guessing till the end. The movie is not fast-paced, but it is worth the wait as the characters and their relationships are what makes the movie interesting. If you are a fan of slow-burning thrillers that focus on characters and their psyches, then The Night the Prowler is a must-watch.