Leonard Termo, born in 1935, was an American character actor who brought a unique presence to cult cinema. In Hider in the House (1989), he plays a pivotal role that showcases his ability to embody complex characters. Termo also appears in The Preppie Murder (1989), where his performance adds depth to the film's exploration of crime and morality. His work in these films reflects the gritty, often provocative nature of late 80s exploitation cinema, making him a noteworthy figure in the genre.
Hider in the House
Tom Sykes slips into an empty suburban house and seals himself behind the walls before a family moves in. From the attic, he studies their routines, interferes with their relationships, and grows increasingly violent when the household refuses to match the fantasy he has constructed. A recently released psychiatric patient named Tom Sykes creates a home for himself in the attic of the Dreyer family's newly built house. He uses electronic devices to spy on them. Tom murders the Dreyer's beloved dog Rudolph, when Rudolph attempts to defend his family against the titular hider. After that, Tom starts to focus his attention on the mom, Julie, going so far as to watch her skinny dip in the pool. He interferes secretly in the relationship between Julie and her husband, Phil, planting bogus evidence of secret love affairs. He befriends the Dreyers' son Neal and teaches him fighting techniques. After two explosive arguments, Phil leaves the house and moves into a hotel. Seeing this as an opportunity, Sykes pretends to be a visitor who lives a couple of blocks over. His attempt to insinuate himself into their lives works at first, although the creepy neighbor Gene is the only one who distrusts him. Sykes murders two people who had accidentally discovered his bizarre goings-on and finally Julie becomes sufficiently suspicious to reject his advances. Tom loses it, and he tries to kill Julie. Phil shows up and is severely injured defending her while Julie gets a gun and shoots Tom in the chest. This does not kill him, and Tom gets up and tries to kill both Julie and himself, but the police (summoned by Gene) shoot Tom dead from the doorway. A deranged man, Tom Sykes, hides out in the attic while an unsuspecting couple (Rogers & McKean) and their family carry on their life in the house below. Once Tom stops just hiding out and becomes involved with the family and, in particular, the wife, the problems begin. An original USA made for cable movie. A deranged man hides in the attic of a new house and becomes obsessed with the unsuspecting family that moves in.
