In this episode, Kelley and Annie lock themselves into the third and final installment of Roman Polanski's so-called Apartment Trilogy, 'The Tenant' for a final walz with cosmic horror. They find surprisingly deep themes of isolation, paranoia, and identity in what initially seemed like a fun, messier romp than the previous two films. The conversation also touches on recent shows and movies, and what Polanski has to tell us, across the divide of his exile, about the immigrant experience and some of his people's darker urges. The hosts analyze the protagonist's transformation and the implications of his experiences, ultimately leading to a discussion on survivor guilt and the impact of one's environment on mental health.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Apartment Trilogy and Personality Test
03:30 Exploring the Apartment Trilogy: Roman Polanski's Influence
11:44 Character Analysis and Themes of Isolation
26:22 Paranoia and the Immigrant Experience
37:54 Identity and Assimilation in a New Culture
40:08 Madame Guderian's Struggles
42:43 Trelkovsky's Descent into Madness
46:25 Identity Crisis and Transformation
51:50 Hallucinations and the Neighbors' Role
57:16 Cosmic Horror and the Final Act
01:00:29 Survivor Guilt and Societal Pressures
01:06:44 The Apartment Trilogy and Its Themes
