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Drama thriller

The Lodgers (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Lodgers (2018) movie poster

The Lodgers is a 2018 drama thriller directed by Brian O'Malley, starring Charlotte Vega as Rachel, Bill Milner and Eugene Simon. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $916,727 worldwide. Critics gave it 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10.

IMDb rating
6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
56%
worldwide gross
$916.7K
Echo Score
58
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The Lodgers (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Brian O'Malley
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Horror , Romance
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Lodgers About?

The premise of The Lodgers without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In rural Ireland, twins Rachel and Edward live a secluded and unsettling life within their crumbling family estate. They are governed by "The Lodgers," a mysterious force that enforces strict rules, including a midnight curfew and a severe penalty for any attempts to leave. When a troubled former soldier, Sean, arrives, Rachel becomes captivated by him, unknowingly jeopardizing the fragile balance and risking a confrontation with the vengeful entity that controls their lives and threatens to tear the siblings apart.

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Cast & crew

The Lodgers Cast & Characters

Charlotte Vega leads the cast as Rachel, with Bill Milner as Edward and Eugene Simon as Sean. Directed by Brian O'Malley; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Lodgers

· 9 more
From the director

More from Brian O'Malley

One more film directed by Brian O'Malley: Let Us Prey.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Lodgers Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Lodgers 56% on Rotten Tomatoes and 52 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (82) and weakest in story & flow (35).

58 /100

The Lodgers Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Lodgers presents a visually compelling yet narratively thin experience that struggles to fully engage. While most reviews praise the film’s consistently haunting atmosphere and elegant period design, many note the story’s limited depth and uneven character development. The pacing often leans toward measured but sluggish sequences that fail to build sustained tension or clarity, leaving key elements underexplored. Consequently, the film offers a memorable aesthetic but yields a middling cinematic impact overall.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 80

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film excels in creating an evocative gothic atmosphere through its direction, cinematography, and production design. Critics consistently highlight the lush visuals, underplayed color palette, and composed framing that evoke a period elegance. Even detractors acknowledge the film’s striking imagery and refined editing choices. Overall, the visual craftsmanship stands out as the film’s strongest asset.

  • Character & Emotion 45

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the film suffers from underdeveloped personalities and uneven performances. Observers note that the cast delivers solid moments yet lacks consistent depth, leading to limited emotional resonance. The chemistry between leads is serviceable but fails to elevate the narrative stakes. In summary, character work remains the film’s primary weakness, offering minimal engagement.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Regarding Story & Flow, the narrative often feels thin and undercooked, with a slender plot that relies heavily on gothic conventions. Reviews describe pacing as deliberate but at times dragging, with a foundational mythology that emerges late and lacks clarity. Jump scares and horror beats land sporadically but do not build cohesive tension. Overall, the storyline’s limited complexity and coherence diminish its engagement.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the film delivers a richly atmospheric soundscape and measured musical cues that reinforce its gothic tone. The soundtrack and sound design contribute to an unsettling mood, while the visual style maintains cohesion through muted palettes and precise framing. Despite limited narrative momentum, these sensory elements consistently captivate. Overall, the film’s audio-visual presentation proves highly effective.

  • Rewatch Factor 50

    When assessing Rewatch Factor, the movie’s strong atmosphere and visual allure may entice some viewers to revisit its haunting setting. However, the slow pacing and unresolved story elements limit its lasting appeal for repeated viewings. While certain sequences retain a sense of eerie fascination, the overall lack of narrative payoff reduces motivation to reengage. In conclusion, rewatch value remains modest.

Plot

The Lodgers Plot Summary

What happens in The Lodgers from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

A tense psychological thriller unfolds around a broken family and a distant sister-in-law who struggles to find a place with them. The film opens with Laura taking her children, Aiden and Mia, to visit their father, Richard, who soon reveals that he is engaged to Grace and plans to marry in the fall. The revelation fuels a bitter clash, and Laura storms out, returning home where she takes her own life. The family mourns, and Laura’s death casts a heavy shadow over Mia, who, as part of their devout Catholic background, believes Laura may not enter heaven for killing herself.

Full summary

The whole story of The Lodgers, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Lodgers Box Office

The Lodgers grossed $916,727 worldwide. $7,362 came from the US and Canada and $909,365 (99%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$916.7K

US & Canada
$7.4K
International
$909.4K
US & Canada 1% Rest of the world 99%
Videos

The Lodgers Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 clip.

THE LODGERS - Festival Trailer [TIFF 2017]
  • Trailer THE LODGERS - Official Trailer (2018 HD)
  • Clip The Lodgers - Select Scene - "Trap Door" (HD 2018)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Lodgers?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the children in the film?

Details

The Lodgers Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “더 로지” and “Dağ Evi”.

Also known as
  • 더 로지
  • Dağ Evi
  • Peur glaciale
  • 별장에서 생긴 일
  • Будиночок
  • O Chalé
  • Сторожка
  • La cabaña siniestra
  • Ложа
  • הבקתה
  • Το Καταφύγιο
  • Хижата
+15 more
  • Téli menedék
  • Mürit
  • Chata
  • 防不信房
  • 乡间小屋, ქოხი
  • Namelis
  • Ala
  • Domek w górach
  • Cabana
  • Nhà Nghỉ Quỷ Ám
  • ロッジ -白い惨劇-
  • Koliba
  • द लॉज
  • الكوخ
  • บ้านปลุกวิญญาน

Seen The Lodgers?

FAQ

The Lodgers FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Lodgers, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Lodgers?

The Lodgers runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was The Lodgers released?

The Lodgers was released on February 23, 2018.

Who directed The Lodgers?

The Lodgers was directed by Brian O'Malley.

More films by Brian O'Malley

Who is in the cast of The Lodgers?

The Lodgers stars Charlotte Vega as Rachel, Bill Milner as Edward and Eugene Simon as Sean, among 13 credited actors.

How much did The Lodgers make at the box office?

The Lodgers grossed $916,727 worldwide ($7,362 domestic, $909,365 international).

How is The Lodgers rated?

The Lodgers has 6.9/10 on IMDb, 56% on Rotten Tomatoes, 52 on Metacritic and 50% on TMDB.

Does The Lodgers have a post-credit scene?

No. The Lodgers has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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