THE NEIGHBOUR sees the return of director Marcus Dunstan in a cat and mouse chiller in the same vein as his earlier works, THE COLLECTOR and its follow-up THE COLLECTION. Collaborating once more with Josh Stewart and musician Charlie Clouser.

 

Caught in a life of crime, John (Josh Stewart) pushes for a quick escape from the lifestyle he was bought up on but when he arrives home to find his girlfriend, Rosie (Alex Essoe, STARRY EYES) missing, suspicion falls on his secretive neighbour (Bill Engvall). Uncovering the sinister truth of the guy next door, it becomes apparent that not all is at is seems and when they rescue hostage Sarah (Melissa Bolona, SHARK LAKE, DOG EAT DOG) the brutal and unrelenting chase for the trio begins.

 

Taking much from the experience gained from his previous films, THE NEIGHBOUR is tense, gory and terrifying. From the get go, the hidden lifestyle and blurred lines between hero and criminal, John’s story is both human and dramatic to watch unfold. The supporting cast are just as engaging and the fight for survival for both Sarah and Rosie against the unnerving neighbour is as central as that of John’s journey.

 

The rural setting makes the effectiveness of the secluded individuals more believable and Charlie Clouser’s strips back from the usual industrial roars of machines and instead drills down to the country roads and simple lives of the townsfolk. An effective addition to the tension on screen. Mix this with the home invasion action that makes you check your locks at night and THE NEIGHBOUR brings a welcome addition to the blood thirsty genre and one that cements Marcus Dunstan’s name in the hall of fame of horror.

 

What is enticing about THE NEIGHBOUR is that his could be the start of the next big horror franchise with a tantalising teaser left in the final moments of the film. The neighbour’s vicious hobby could be connected to something larger and the comparisons between the hero and villain are one and the same.