Ebert gave the film two stars and described it as a yuppie horror story in which the villain attacks the owners’ building. — Bill Simmons
The panel accepts his complaint that Keaton spends too much of the early film behind a closed door. — Bill Simmons

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40:32

Most Rewatchable Scene

The hotel-room investigation

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Approx. transcript time · 00:40:32Read transcript

The opening encounter with Mrs. Griswold is nominated for its startling entrance.
The renovation leading into the awkward rental interview is nominated. — Bill Simmons
Carter separately manipulating Drake and Patty during the rental pitch is nominated.
Drake’s casual racism while discussing a prospective tenant is named as a favorite comic scene. — Bill Simmons
Carter gaining access and immediately changing the locks is nominated.
Carter smoking in the dark garage and revealing the razor blades is nominated. — Bill Simmons
The cockroach attack and Drake crawling beneath the apartment are nominated, with praise for Matthew Modine taking live cockroaches to the face.
Carter’s flowers, preemptive police call, and successful provocation of Drake are nominated; the hosts debate how Carter would have forced an attack if Drake resisted.
Patty’s reaction to the destroyed apartment is praised as Melanie Griffith’s best work. — Bill Simmons
Patty following Carter and invading his hotel room is selected as the best and most rewatchable scene.
The final fight, nail-gun callback, and Carter’s fall are discussed, though the ending is criticized as badly staged.

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1:05:55

What’s Aged the Best?

Patty’s earlier recognition of danger and smarter response; the tenant-from-hell premise; Carter’s incriminating scra...

Patty’s earlier recognition of danger and smarter response; the tenant-from-hell premise; Carter’s incriminating scrapbook

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Approx. transcript time · 01:05:55Read transcript

Patty recognizing the danger sooner and handling it more intelligently than Drake is praised. — Kyle Brandt
The tenant-from-hell premise and the villain’s incriminating scrapbook remain effective thriller devices. — Bill Simmons

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1:09:56

The Great Shot Gordo Award for Most Cinematic Shot

Drake mailing a letter while Carter’s curtain opens behind him is nominated. The falling ice cube and the rotating do...

Drake mailing a letter while Carter’s curtain opens behind him is nominated. The falling ice cube and the rotating doorway shot are additional choices.

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Approx. transcript time · 01:09:56Read transcript

Drake mailing a letter while Carter’s curtain opens behind him is nominated. — Chris Ryan
The falling ice cube and the rotating doorway shot are additional choices. — Bill Simmons

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1:11:18

Chest Rockwell / Brock Landers Award for Best Character Name

Carter Hayes

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Carter Hayes is proposed before the panel searches the supporting cast for stranger names.

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1:13:39

The Den of Thieves Benihana Award for Scene-Stealing Location

The Victorian house

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The Victorian house is praised as a memorable San Francisco location even though its neighborhood and value prompt debate. — Bill Simmons

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1:14:48

Is There a Better Title for This Movie?

Broken Lease and Eviction Quest

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The Tenant is rejected as already taken; Broken Lease and Eviction Quest are proposed.

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1:15:29

Jesse Eisenberg “That’s good. You should be proud of that right there. Don’t worry if you don’t make it any further” Award for Best Line Reading

Carter’s dry correction after Drake calls Patty his wife

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The dry correction from ‘wife’ to ‘girlfriend’ is selected. — Chris Ryan

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1:18:40

The Butch’s Girlfriend Award for the Weakest Link in the Film

Carter’s final death scene

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Carter’s final death scene is selected as the weakest element. — Bill Simmons
A more forceful lawyer is suggested as an improvement. — Chris Ryan

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1:20:45

Mallory Rubin Award: Did This Movie Need a Better Sex Scene?

No better sex scene needed

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The panel argues that the opening encounter is already so effective that the movie may have needed a worse sex scene rather than a better one.

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1:23:03

What’s Aged the Worst?

The unexplained photograph of Carter with two children; Drake dismissing Patty; Drake’s casual racism

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The photograph of Carter with two children is criticized as an unexplained and unsettling detail. — Bill Simmons
Drake’s repeated dismissal of Patty and his casual racism are criticized.

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1:26:49

The Ruffalo / Hanna / Rubinek / Partridge Overacting Award

Matthew Modine’s drunken and enraged outbursts

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Matthew Modine’s drunken and enraged outbursts win the award. — Kyle Brandt

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1:29:12

The Stephen A. Smith Hottest Take Award

Patty should consider leaving Drake for Carter (jokingly)

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Approx. transcript time · 01:29:12Read transcript

Patty is jokingly urged to consider leaving Drake for the more ambitious Carter.

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1:31:28

Casting What-Ifs

Christopher Reeve as Carter Hayes

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Christopher Reeve’s reported effort to secure the Carter Hayes role is discussed as the sole casting what-if.

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1:32:02

The Joey Pants “That Guy” Award

Dan Hedaya, Nobu McCarthy, Carl Lumbly, Jerry Hardin, and Tracy Walter

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Dan Hedaya, Nobu McCarthy, Carl Lumbly, Jerry Hardin, and Tracy Walter are discussed as candidates. — Bill Simmons

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1:34:24

The Dion Waiters Award for Best Heat Check Performance

Beverly D’Angelo

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The opening-scene performer wins over the Watanabes and the exterminator. — Bill Simmons

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1:34:41

Recasting Couch

Brian De Palma as director; young Denzel Washington or Samuel L. Jackson as the rejected tenant

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Brian De Palma is the preferred alternate director; young Denzel Washington and another candidate are proposed for the rejected tenant.

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1:35:27

Half-Assed Internet Research

Carter’s 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa; Joanne Woodward’s reported three life goals for teenage Melanie Griffith, wi...

Carter’s 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa; Joanne Woodward’s reported three life goals for teenage Melanie Griffith, with two achieved and no Oscar win

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Approx. transcript time · 01:35:27Read transcript

Carter’s car is identified as a 1977 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa. — Bill Simmons
A story about Joanne Woodward giving teenage Melanie Griffith three life goals is recounted, including that Griffith achieved two but not an Oscar win. — Bill Simmons

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1:36:21

Apex Mountain

Michael Keaton

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Michael Keaton is judged to be at his Apex with Batman and this villain role; Full Metal Jacket is preferred for Matthew Modine.

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1:38:49

Cruise or Hanks?

Tom Cruise as Carter

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Tom Cruise is selected for Carter, with the panel imagining his physical preparation and intensity in the role.

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1:40:14

Best Race Horse Name from This Movie

Evil Tenant, Jim Danforth, and Luxury Kite Company

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Approx. transcript time · 01:40:14Read transcript

Evil Tenant, Jim Danforth, and Luxury Kite Company are proposed as racehorse names. — Bill Simmons

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1:41:15

Picking Nits

Carter moving in without payment; Drake not using his keys before the locks changed; Carter’s scrapbook and return-ad...

Carter moving in without payment; Drake not using his keys before the locks changed; Carter’s scrapbook and return-address postcard

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Approx. transcript time · 01:41:15Read transcript

The panel questions how Carter moved in without payment and why Drake did not use his keys before the locks changed. — Bill Simmons
Carter’s scrapbook and a con man sending a return-address postcard are challenged as implausibly careless. — Bill Simmons

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1:43:16