‘House of Wax meets Audition’
The Cleaning Lady is a 2018 American horror film directed by Jon Knautz (Goddess of Love; The Shrine; Jack Brooks: Monster Slayer) from a screenplay co-written with Alexis Kendra, who also stars in the Olivargo production alongside Stelio Savante and Rachel Alig.
[May contain spoilers] Reviews :
“The Cleaning Lady is a spellbinding glimpse into the mind of a deeply disturbed young woman. While it may sometimes feel underdeveloped, the film boasts solid technical ability and a sickening story to boot. With The Cleaning Lady, Knautz and Kendra have created a film that is truly twisted on every level.” Bloody Disgusting
“When Shelly finally flips she vaults over her creepiness and straight into downright nasty and calculated. The frenetic last twenty minutes provide most of the answers to her cruel actions, but the ending is happy to leave a few crazy details to your morbid imagination.” Britflicks
“Exploring the horror convention of the scarred villain and conventionally beautiful victim, Knautz turns both on their heads and creates something much more complex. The Cleaning Lady is a film full of illusions that invites us to question our own.” Eye for Film
“Overall, the film feels like an oddity, a soap opera that slowly tilts into disturbing territory as it reels you in. It works. If you are looking for a retro, stylish chiller that beguiles and disturbs in equal measure The Cleaning Lady is worth a watch.” Flickering Myth
“Over-reliance on a tired cliche aside, The Cleaning Lady still offers the viewer plenty to think on. It’s also got some terrible moments of stomach-churning violence and unease that are very affecting. If you’ve ever watched The Cable Guy or Single White Female, and thought ‘this film is missing some blood and torment’, you’ll certainly enjoy The Cleaning Lady.” The Hollywood News
“It’s good, but it’s nothing that got me too excited. It’s definitely worth the price of a stream or a download if you’re a fan of female-lead thrillers, but I don’t think I’d recommend buying it on DVD. Everyone involved with this movie did a fantastic job, but the script needed more work to keep the tone, timing and story flowing and growing in tandem.” Horror Society
” …the film gradually, masterfully, becomes incredibly upsetting, but in a manner that is justifiably dramatic and makes perfect sense of the ensuing horror. And a horror film it most certainly is, one that is beautifully acted, thoughtfully written by Kendra and executed with careful direction by Knautz. One of the genre pleasures of the year…” The Movie Waffler
“The Cleaning Lady opens with scenes involving mice and a blender. That should tell you this isn’t going to be a fun collection of jump scares. And it isn’t, The Cleaning Lady mixes psychologically disturbing elements with disturbingly nasty violence to create a film that isn’t easy to watch […] Knautz and Kendra wisely flesh out both of the leads so we can feel a conflicting range of emotions for both of them.” Voices from the Balcony
Release:
RLJE Films released The Cleaning Lady on VOD, Digital HD and DVD on June 4, 2019.
Main cast:
Alexis Kendra … Alice – Goddess of Love; Girl House; Big Ass Spider!; Hatchet II
Stelio Savante … Michael
Rachel Alig … Shelly – Feast of Fear; Ghostline; 12/12/12
Elizabeth Sandy … Helen
Mykayla Sohn … Young Shelly
JoAnne McGrath … Colleen
Keri Marrone … Miranda
Robert Hugh Starr … Bill
Carla Wynn … Linda
Kim Marie Cooper … Laurel
Logan Garretson … Tyler
Zarif … Don
Nicole Watts … Sheryl
Kai Cofer … Hillbilly
Skye Sea … Emaciated Person
Filming locations:
Los Angeles, California
Film Facts:
The Cleaning Lady is a film version of a 2016 short of the same name.
