The Neighbor

In 2016 film The Neighbor, directed by Marcus Dunstan, we dive into the unforgiving, eerie, and suspenseful world of a Southern backwoods town that eerily echoes the isolation of its residents. Starring Josh Stewart, Bill Engvall, and Alex Essoe, The Neighbor is a spine-chilling exploration of how well – or how little – we know our next-door occupants.

Set in Cutter, Mississippi, the film takes us into the intense life of John (Josh Stewart), a middle-aged man dwelling on the outskirts of the town. He earns a living by trafficking illicit goods, working for his Uncle Neil. With a strong yearning for a new beginning, away from his troubled life of criminal dealings, he plans an escape with his young girlfriend, Rosie (Alex Essoe). They plan to run away to Mexico, where they can start anew, far from the criminal world they've been trapped in.

However, their plans for a fresh start are jeopardized by a simple, yet game-changing element: John's neighbor, Troy (Bill Engvall). A former police officer, Troy lives with his wife, who never leaves the house. He is the quintessential 'quiet neighbor,' someone who mostly keeps to himself and seldom socializes, besides the occasional friendly wave or chat.

Tensions start to escalate when Rosie goes missing mysteriously one evening. John quickly suspects that his intriguing, seemingly mundane neighbor might hold the answers to Rosie's baffling disappearance. Determined to find his girlfriend and to ensure her safety, he takes it upon himself to investigate the secretive and enigmatic Troy.

As John uncovers the layers shrouding the mystery and delves deeper into Troy's life, he unearths dark secrets that not only boggle him but directly challenge his plans for escape. The events that ensue drag John deeper into a terrifying world, effectively blurring the lines between his own hardened criminal life and the disturbing happenings he witnesses around Troy.

The film intricately weaves a tale of suspense, mystery, and terror while also delving deep into the complexities of human nature, especially when put in distressing circumstances. With a labyrinth-like narrative designed to keep the audience at the edge of its seats, The Neighbor is a gripping exploration of fear, suspicion, and survival.

The Neighbor boasts not only a compelling plot but also a strong ensemble cast. Josh Stewart, well-known for his roles in The Collector and The Collection, delivers a gripping performance as John, a man who is trapped in insurmountable predicaments and is treading on the fine line between fear and courage. Alex Essoe shines as Rosie, the damsel in distress who is unfortunately caught in a war that she never bargained for.

Yet, the most distinctive performance comes from Bill Engvall, in a role that deviates from his usual comedic style. His portrayal of Troy would send a chill down your spine as he juggles between being a seemingly normal suburban neighbor and someone who may be concealing secrets of unthinkable atrocities.

Apart from the performances, the world Dunstan creates acts as another character in the film. The town of Cutter eerily echoes the isolation of its residents. It's a lawless backwoods town, a place where one can easily disappear without a trace, adding to the film's overall menacing and grim facade. The horror isn't just in the characters or the actions but in the ambiance of the deserted place, where every passing wind resonates with a foreboding chill.

Marcus Dunstan's The Neighbor successfully integrates elements of suspense, horror, and thriller, with a strong narrative and a remarkable cast. It presents a chilling gaze into the notion of 'familiar fear,' showcasing how the people and places we think we know become unrecognizable when dipped in the colors of terror. It's a suspenseful ride which reveals that sometimes, the most outright dangers can be resting just next door, hidden behind the facade of normalcy.