In her new home, Donna unravels a sinister truth—her landlord is a demon with a dark appetite. As her family mysteriously vanishes, Donna confronts the demonic landlord, only to plunge into a shadowy game where the house hungers for more than just occupants. An ominous cycle begins, shrouded in mystery.

Director’s Vision for ‘For Rent’

Housing is a human right. I believe this with all of my being. I was drawn to “For Rent” because of the creative possibilities of infusing a haunted house story with added meaning by connecting it to a very real and pressing issue: the current housing crisis in Toronto. I am not only a horror filmmaker, but an anti-poverty activist, and when I read the script, I was immediately captivated and ideas came flooding into my mind.

My focus was to create a destabilizing and chilling descent into the horror of commodified housing. A system where a cruel and grotesque landlord is intent on exploiting and ultimately trapping his renters. A system that creates an endless and horrific cycle, entirely motivated by profit.

I loved creating a grimy, sandy, textured feel, inspired by moving boxes, which were the main decor of the spaces. The colour of a desert landscape evokes a feeling of endlessness for me, much like the fear of a consistently increasing rent, seemingly impossible to escape. I love surreal and psychedelic imagery and wanted to create a terrifying and psychedelic nightmare for our protagonist, a mother, wanting to provide a home for her family. This nightmare ultimately becomes her reality.

I also love the idea of obstructed views and the feeling of being watched. The landlord, as a representation of the system, is always present. His gum is stuck throughout the home, representing his presence everywhere, watching and waiting.

“For Rent” speaks of the terror of commodified housing, but it is also a warning to the landlords and others who uphold this oppressive system: The tenants in the drain are coming for you.