Crawlspace is the title of several films, but one of the most well-known is the 1986 horror-thriller directed by David Schmoeller. It stars Klaus Kinski as Karl Gunther, a deranged and sadistic landlord who spies on and torments the tenants in his apartment building. The film is known for its unsettling atmosphere, psychological horror, and Kinski’s chilling performance as the unhinged villain.

The story revolves around Gunther, a former Nazi doctor who conducts gruesome experiments in his crawlspace. His tenants, mostly young women, become his unwitting victims as he traps and tortures them. The building’s crawlspace serves as a secret passage that Gunther uses to spy on his tenants and carry out his twisted acts of violence. Throughout the film, Gunther’s mental state deteriorates, leading to more extreme and grotesque actions.

Crawlspace is a blend of psychological horror, exploitation, and slasher elements, making it both disturbing and darkly atmospheric. Kinski’s portrayal of the sadistic landlord is central to the film’s eerie vibe, and the film has gained a cult following over the years due to its creepy premise and unsettling moments.

There’s also a 2022 horror film called Crawlspace, directed by L. Gustavo Cooper, which tells a different story involving a family in a house with hidden crawlspaces. The plot centers around a man who hides in a crawlspace to evade killers but then discovers a darker secret in the house.