The Neighbor is a 2016 crime thriller film from Marcus Dunstan, a talented director who first caught my attention with The Collector and The Collection. The film also brings Josh Stewart, who starred his freshman and sophomore efforts, back as his main-protagonist.
This film didn't seem to have a lot of buzz or attention to it. I had seen a couple of articles about it, but it has mostly flown under the radar so far. This is a shame because The Neighbor is a well-made, if a little by-the-books, crime thriller.
A capable cast helps elevate the characters, which are a step above the run-of-the-mill type that has become the norm. I'll admit the film holds one or two instances in it that are a little too cliché to let slide, but as a whole, I'd call the film a success in the character and acting department. Josh Stewart plays the role of a mostly silent survivor similar to how he did in The Collector, but he makes a success out of it.
The storyline is well-delivered as well and the film has a handful of tense moments. The film also has a moment during where it turns conventions on its head that I enjoyed.
The reason the film never exceeds expectations, however, is because a lack of innovation. The concept is predictable all the way through and although I waited in-anticipation of something unique, the film never really does anything new for itself. It's always a straight-line formulaic approach and it never deters from that.
The Neighbor is a well-made film, but doesn't do a whole lot of new stuff. I'll admit that it's likely the most well-aimed film in Marcus' directorial catalog so far, but it's his least interesting too.
Rating: 2.3 out of 5.0
This film didn't seem to have a lot of buzz or attention to it. I had seen a couple of articles about it, but it has mostly flown under the radar so far. This is a shame because The Neighbor is a well-made, if a little by-the-books, crime thriller.
A capable cast helps elevate the characters, which are a step above the run-of-the-mill type that has become the norm. I'll admit the film holds one or two instances in it that are a little too cliché to let slide, but as a whole, I'd call the film a success in the character and acting department. Josh Stewart plays the role of a mostly silent survivor similar to how he did in The Collector, but he makes a success out of it.
The storyline is well-delivered as well and the film has a handful of tense moments. The film also has a moment during where it turns conventions on its head that I enjoyed.
The reason the film never exceeds expectations, however, is because a lack of innovation. The concept is predictable all the way through and although I waited in-anticipation of something unique, the film never really does anything new for itself. It's always a straight-line formulaic approach and it never deters from that.
The Neighbor is a well-made film, but doesn't do a whole lot of new stuff. I'll admit that it's likely the most well-aimed film in Marcus' directorial catalog so far, but it's his least interesting too.
Rating: 2.3 out of 5.0