What is the plot of The Lodger?

A serial killer's dangerous obsession with a singer while evading police investigation

What are the key story phases in The Lodger?

The story of The Lodger progresses through these phases: The Shadow in the Home, Growing Suspicion, Fatal Performance.

Name: The Lodger
Genre: horror, mystery, thriller
Released: 1944
Rating: 6.5

A mysterious lodger arrives in a London family's home while women are being murdered in Whitechapel.

Slade Becomes Lodger — Serial killer takes room in family home Characters: Slade, Robert Bonting, Ellen Bonting, Daisy the Maid Location: Bonting Home
Whitechapel Murders Begin — Women brutally murdered in district Characters: John Warwick, Superintendent Sutherland, Det. Sgt. Bates Location: Whitechapel
Slade's Strange Behavior — Turns portraits, burns items at night Characters: Slade, Robert Bonting, Ellen Bonting Location: Bonting Home

Detective Warwick begins investigating the murders while developing suspicions about the lodger, and Kitty finds herself drawn to him.

Warwick Investigation Starts — Detective begins murder investigation Characters: John Warwick, Superintendent Sutherland, Det. Sgt. Bates Location: Scotland Yard
Kitty Meets Slade — Singer develops attraction to lodger Characters: Kitty Langley, Slade Location: Bonting Home
Warwick Suspects Slade — Detective begins suspecting the lodger Characters: John Warwick, Slade Location: London
Jennie's Murder — Former actress killed after asking Kitty for help Characters: Jennie, Kitty Langley, Slade Location: Jennie's Home

Slade is triggered by Kitty's cabaret performance, leading to a violent confrontation that ends with his suicide.

Jennie's Murder — Former actress killed after asking Kitty for help Characters: Jennie, Kitty Langley, Slade Location: Jennie's Home
Cabaret Performance — Slade watches Kitty perform Can-Can Characters: Kitty Langley, Slade, Performance Troupe Location: Cabaret
Backstage Attack — Slade tries to make Kitty his victim Characters: Slade, Kitty Langley, John Warwick, Det. Sgt. Bates Location: Cabaret Backstage
Slade's Escape — Killer flees police custody Characters: Slade, John Warwick, Det. Sgt. Bates Location: London Streets
Riverbank Suicide — Slade leaps to his death Characters: Slade, John Warwick Location: Riverbank

The Mysterious Lodger — Slade arrives at the Bonting home while murders occur
- Family Situation — Bontings recovering from financial troubles
- Whitechapel Murders — Women being killed in district
- Strange Behavior — Slade's peculiar habits
Investigation and Attraction — Warwick investigates while Kitty falls for Slade
- Police Investigation — Warwick and team pursue clues
- Kitty's Romance — Singer develops feelings for lodger
- Growing Suspicion — Warwick begins suspecting Slade
Tragedy and Climax — Murder of Jennie leads to final confrontation
- Jennie's Death — Former actress killed after seeking help
- Cabaret Performance — Slade triggered by Can-Can dance
- Final Confrontation — Attack on Kitty and Slade's suicide

In Victorian era London, the inhabitants of a family home with rented rooms upstairs fear the new lodger is Jack the Ripper.