Synopsis
When Sarah lucks into a sweet one-bedroom at Asilo Del Mar Apartments in Los Angeles, she thinks she's hit the jackpot. It's got plenty of space, friendly tenants, group BBQs and even a cute neighbour next door. All is not what it seems: loud noises start keeping her awake at night; her cat is missing; everyone seems to be a little too helpful and friendly, except for the weirdo, Lester. Soon, Sarah learns she didn't choose this apartment — it chose her.
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Cast
- Nicole Brydon BloomSarah
- Giles MattheyBrian
- Taylor NicholsJerry
- Alan BlumenfeldSarah's Father
- Naomi GrossmanJanice
- Celeste SullivanLisa
- Susan DavisMiss Stanhope
- Clayton HoffLester
- Earnestine PhillipsEsther
- Hailey GilesDiane
- 90
Film Threat
1BR has a lot to say about what a person is willing to sacrifice to be happy and if said sacrifice is worth it. It does so effectively and intensely, with a smart script, a few plotholes aside, and excellent directing. The acting across the board is terrific, and the culmination of Sarah’s tumultuous journey during the berserk ending is well worth taking. - 78
Paste Magazine
A visceral expression of fear and longing, 1BR could be a new cult classic. With incredible performances, a solid twist and the possibility of a franchise sequel, 1BR aims high. The good news is the film hits most of its targets. - 75
RogerEbert.com
Everything in 1BR is over-exposed, often literally thanks to the movie’s basic camera set-ups and general emphasis on naturally and/or harshly front-lit close-ups, or medium shots of brown stucco walls. - 63
Slant Magazine
The film gives palpable expression to the sense of hopelessness felt by those who fall under the control of cults. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
Taken on its own terms, it's a solid if hardly revolutionary thriller that bodes well for the filmmaker's future in genre films. - 50
Variety
With its aspects of human captivity, brainwashing, collective insanity and ersatz utopianism, Marmor could have taken his story in myriad tonal directions. But instead of a wild ride, his film emerges a competent one that holds the attention, yet also feels like a missed chance at something truly memorable from a promisingly offbeat premise. - 50
The New York Times
Drawing on a fascination with cults and utopian communities, the director and co-writer, David Marmor, has created a mildly entertaining survival story whose depiction of psychological indoctrination far outstrips its generic dips into torture. - 38
Movie Nation
The test of the movie is whether we’ll instinctively root for the standard white-girl-in-jeopardy and accept the physical abuse, mental anguish and humiliations Sarah must endure before figuring out if she can fight back. Because Bloom? She gives us nothing.