The House Next Door

This conventional woman-in-jeopardy suspencer, screened at the American Film Market in February, has enough predictable situations to place it in the lightweight horror category.

A young Chicago couple, married two years, move into their country dream home only to discover their neighbors are not all they appear to be. The young wife (A.J.Cook) is left vulnerable when husband (Matthew Harrison) has to spend two weeks in LA on business. James Russo provides so-so excitement as the heavy-next-door.

While Joey Travolta directs competently, we don't get to know enough about the characters to make us care very much what happens to them in the situations they are placed.

I got this dvd for free, so I checked it out. I think it's quite an ordinary thriller but also a well made one. The characters were well written and acted. Not a movie I'd want to watch agan soon, but it wasn't boring either.

Recommended if you like thrillers that are set in the real world and could actually happen. And if the theme of neighbour's dark secrets seems appealing to you.

First of all I want to point out that the cover lies. As is commonly the case the cover deceives the viewer in order to sell more copies. In this instance Sean Young is on the right hand side instead of the lead AJ Cook. Why would they do this? I can only assume because Young was more famous at the time of release, but having the lead absent from the cover is rather baffling.

Following your standard thriller formula telling the story of a couple who move into a new home but become increasingly concerned that their neighbours aren't as nice as they present themselves.

Decent enough performances including the excellent lead (Cook) make this generic title watchable enough. I have to say I thought they were building to something different, I expected a double bluff but got a disappointing paint by numbers finale.

Watchable stuff but not stuff to go out of your way to watch.

The Good:

AJ Cook

Sean Young

The Bad:

Very clichéd

I can be very picky when judging a suspense-horror type movie. I can honestly say I enjoyed House Next Door very much. Mainly because the type of suspense shown in the movie was believable. We've all experienced weird neighbors, not to this extent, but its something we can relate to. To me this is far more enjoyable then a typical Stephen King sci-fi weirdo picture ! I found the story was well written, well directed and the acting was superb. It goes to show you Producers don't need idiots running around with a chainsaw and hockey mask chasing bare breasted women in the middle of the night. The movie was clearly written and stuck to the point right up until the final climax. I purchased this older movie the other day and I know I'll end-up watching it again in the near future. I recommend you do the same. You will not be disappointed. I'll give it an 8.

The main actor James Russo, was excellent, mean and moody as the manic neighbour from hell. Another film that has been done to death (excuse the pun) but the quality of the whole cast and the intense acting (especially of main character), really makes for an involving and pretty scary, plot scenario. Gets a bit predictable towards the end but the journey, is quite satisfactory.