I’m a sucker for a well-done thriller, especially one that doesn’t rely on gratuitous violence to build tension or unease. I first caught “Intrusion” (2021) on Netflix a few years ago, and it’s stuck with me ever since as one of those go-to thrillers I can get lost in.
This article is part of Trick or Stream, a seasonal series where Tom's Guide writers share their favorite horror movies and thrillers.
Directed by Adam Salky and written by Chris Sparling (of “Sea of Trees” and “Greenland” fame), the film follows a couple who move into their dream home in the quiet desert town of Corrales, New Mexico. When a home invasion shatters their peace, their seemingly perfect life begins to unravel, exposing buried secrets that upend everything. It may not boast the highest ratings on IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes, but “Intrusion” is a solid, edge-of-your-seat popcorn flick that delivers just enough mystery to keep you hooked.
If you’re looking for something suspenseful but not gory to stream this Halloween, “Intrusion” makes for a perfectly eerie pick — just unsettling enough to give you chills without keeping you up all night.
What is 'Intrusion' about?
Meera (Freida Pinto) and Henry Parsons (Logan Marshall-Green) live in a sleek, modern mansion in the middle of the desert. But early on, it’s clear not everything is as picture-perfect as it looks. Meera, a cancer survivor, finds a concerning lump during a self-exam, but keeps the discovery to herself, quietly booking a doctor’s appointment instead of confiding in her meticulously composed husband.
Their idyllic routine begins to crumble. A robbery leaves them shaken — though oddly, the thieves only take a laptop and computer — and strange noises echo through their home’s pipes. Then one night, everything spirals. Meera and Henry wake to find intruders inside. To her shock, Henry retrieves a hidden gun from one of her potted plants and kills all three men.
Two intruders die at the scene; a third clings to life in the hospital. When police reveal that the men are relatives of a missing young woman, Meera can’t shake the feeling that the home invasion wasn’t random.
Her suspicions deepen when she follows Henry one night after he “forgets” his wallet and discovers he’s driving straight to the hospital. Soon after, the surviving intruder mysteriously dies. Meera realizes her husband is hiding far more than she ever imagined and uncovering the truth may cost her everything.
Why you should stream 'Intrusion' on Netflix
If you’re a seasoned thriller fan, “Intrusion” might not throw you completely off guard, but the first time I watched it, the final twist genuinely surprised me. What really sets it apart is the atmosphere: the vast, empty New Mexico desert mirrors Meera’s growing isolation, while the sleek modern house becomes a cold, unsettling trap.
Even when the plot leans into familiar beats, the film’s tension and performances keep you invested. Beneath the surface-level suspense, there’s an undercurrent about control, trust, and what happens when a relationship’s glossy exterior hides rot underneath.
“Intrusion” isn’t a deep, cerebral thriller; it’s exactly what I’d call a perfect “popcorn film.” If you want a tense, entertaining mystery to sink into on Halloween movie night, this one’s absolutely worth queuing up.
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