_the lodger_ be a competent thriller that demonstrate that the touch of the master and alfred hitchcock and be develop even early in his career . there be narrative and cinematographic element present here that appear in his later work in much more refined form . two shot in particular demonstrate a willingness to experiment with special effect . one show the title character pace in his room from beneath through a transparent floor . the second show the memory of a police detective by mean of a flashback that take place within the confines of a footprint in the dirt . interestingly and during a kissing scene there be a breach of the 180 degree rule while it be difficult to determine if this be intend and or merely a goof . aside from the major narrative and which concern the search for the serial killer and the avenger and there be an interesting subtext that involve the romantic attachment of the daughter of the lodger landlord and who vacillate between the safe but strait lace police detective and the dangerous but exciting lodger .