The Roommate

Sara Miller, a naive yet determined young woman from Iowa, arrives in Los Angeles, excited to start a new chapter in her life as a design student at college. The bright lights and energetic atmosphere of the city prove to be an exciting change of pace from her quiet, rural upbringing. As she navigates the bustling campus, Sara is eager to make friends and fit in with her peers. Her roommate situation seems to be a promising starting point. Rebecca Porter, a charismatic and confident woman who comes from a wealthy background, immediately takes a liking to Sara. With an air of sophistication and elegance, Rebecca invites Sara into her world, introducing her to the finer aspects of LA living. She offers her own apartment, lavishly decorated and equipped, as a base for Sara's stay. Their initial interactions are warm and welcoming, with Rebecca showcasing her generous side by helping Sara decorate her part of the apartment and offering words of advice on navigating college life. As time passes, Sara begins to branch out and make new friends on campus. Her design class proves to be a source of creative fulfillment, and she starts to connect with like-minded individuals who share her passion for art and design. One such person, a quiet but talented photographer named Tyler, becomes Sara's boyfriend, and the two grow closer. However, this growing connection with Tyler sparks Rebecca's jealousy. Initially, Rebecca seems content to serve as Sara's "big sister" figure, offering unsolicited advice and guidance. But as Sara starts to form her own identity and friendships outside of Rebecca's orbit, the older woman's behavior becomes increasingly possessive and controlling. At first, Sara is oblivious to the red flags, chalking up Rebecca's possessiveness to a desire to help her new roommate adjust to college life. But as Rebecca's actions become more erratic and intense, Sara begins to realize that something is amiss. Rebecca's behavior escalates from minorly manipulative to downright menacing, with the older woman subjecting Sara to constant scrutiny and emotional blackmail. The turning point comes when Sara moves in with Tyler, finally asserting her independence and taking a step away from Rebecca's overbearing influence. However, this move sets off a chain reaction of unhinged behavior from Rebecca, who becomes increasingly unhinged as she tries to "win back" Sara. As the situation spirals out of control, Sara finds herself in a desperate fight for her own sanity and safety. The tension between the two former roommates comes to a head in a series of intense confrontations, each one pushing the other further down a path of escalating chaos and violence. Throughout the ordeal, Sara must confront her own vulnerabilities and limitations as a young woman, learning to stand up for herself and trust her instincts. The film ultimately becomes a story about the complexities of female relationships, the darker side of friendship, and the challenges of navigating the complexities of adulthood. The Roommate serves as a gripping and thought-provoking thriller, offering a searing examination of the blurred lines between friendship and obsession. With a standout performance from Leighton Meester as the enigmatic and troubled Rebecca, the film is elevated by a taut, suspenseful narrative that keeps viewers guessing until the very end.