Of Unknown Origin (1983)

"A rat can be happy anywhere." - Clete

A man becomes obsessed with a rat in his house.
Starring: Peter Weller, Jennifer Dale, Louis Del Grande, Shannon Tweed

Link to IMDB

Equipped for battle

Bart Hughes is a successful businessman with a luxurious home and a beautiful family, he feels his life is pretty much perfect. His wife and son are leaving town on a skiing trip for a week, which gives Bart free time to focus on closing a big deal for his boss, which will earn him a promotion with the banking firm he works at.
Pretty soon his plans are interrupted when he suspects a rat is creeping around the house, gnawing on the pipes and being a hassle. Bart goes to Clete the handyman for advice, and he suggests putting down some traps or even trying poison. The traps and poison are ineffective, and Bart is starting to become distracted at work because he just can't stop thinking about his rodent guest waiting at home.
The movie builds a suspenseful creepy mood, but there is a nice tinge of humour here, too. We rarely see the rat but we often see from its point-of-view as it scurries around the house, watching Bart from the shadows.

Rat surprise !

Bart goes to the library to conduct some rat research, learning about their history and habits. There's lots of horrific documents on how rats have been terrorizing humans for centuries, and how deadly and indomitable they can be. All of this information only makes Bart more paranoid and disturbed, and his coworkers are noticing that something's wrong.
Every time he comes home the rat has destroyed something else, and eventually it begins to attack him with teeth and claws! No matter what Bart tries the rat is always one step ahead of him, claiming the house as its own.
As the week continues, Bart's sanity begins to disintegrate under the stress of his job and his obsession with the beast scurrying within the walls. It hasn't just invaded his home, it's invaded his entire mind!

Sleep deprived, bitten and bloody, Bart forgets all about his job and declares war on the rat. Using improvised weaponry and fueled by primal desperation, he plans to confront the unwanted pest and reclaim his home territory.

The madness begins

The script is smart and focused, not letting the premise become a horror cliché, which pulls us into Bart's nightmare because it feels like it could happen to anyone. The rat is big enough to be a threat, but still sensibly sized to not look silly. The bits of humour are intentional and carefully done, adding some counterbalance to the impending chaos.
There's subtext on the "rat race" of modern life and materialism, but it's Peter Weller's excellent performance that really makes the movie so compelling.

Be sure not to miss:
- Bart is reading Moby Dick, a similar tale of obsession.
- The hammock reveal was genius.
- Rats enough!!!

Internet review:
"The best rat movie ever. Period. End of discussion." - John Waters

Should I watch it?
Recommended rat time!

Where can I find it?
I used the vodlocker link here.

Of Unknown Origin gets...