8 Disturbing Neighbor Films for Your Viewing List

      Casey Chong presents eight excellent creepy neighbor films to add to your watchlist…

      There’s something fascinating about the myriad possibilities surrounding neighbors in films, particularly within the realm of psychological thrillers. These neighbors can range from a serial killer to a terrorist, with such films typically constructed from a blend of rising tension, paranoia, and curiosity. With this in mind, here are eight noteworthy creepy neighbor movies to explore…

      **Lakeview Terrace (2008)**

      Picture living in a suburban area where your next-door neighbor is a police officer. Theoretically, this should provide a sense of safety and security. However, director Neil LaBute presents a scenario in Lakeview Terrace where that very neighbor becomes an unexpected adversary. The plot follows an interracial couple (played by Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington) who are moving in next to Abel Turner (a commanding Samuel L. Jackson), a widowed LAPD officer living with his children. Instead of a warm welcome, Abel displays hostility, believing the new couple doesn’t belong in the neighborhood. He begins to intimidate them, including shining floodlights into their bedroom every night. LaBute skillfully escalates the suburban nightmare through a slow-building dread while addressing themes of racial tension and power dynamics, highlighting a cop abusing his authority to harass his neighbors.

      **Summer of 84 (2018)**

      Co-directors François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissell tap into the nostalgic essence of the ‘80s in a story about a group of teenagers from Cape May, Oregon, led by Davey Armstrong (Graham Verchere). They suspect their neighbor, a seemingly dedicated police officer portrayed by Rich Sommer, is actually a serial killer. This suspect has been linked to the unsolved disappearances of teenage boys over the years. The film effectively builds a sense of creeping dread within the seemingly normal suburban neighborhood, as the co-directors take their time to heighten the tension. Rich Sommer, known for his role as Harry Crane on TV’s Mad Men, captivates as the idealized, yet deeply sinister character. The film is particularly striking for its cynical ending, which leaves a genuinely unsettling impression.

      **Arlington Road (1999)**

      Director Mark Pellington delves into domestic paranoia in Arlington Road, reflecting real-life crises, such as the 1993 World Trade Center and the 1995 Oklahoma City bombings. The intense fear is experienced through the perspective of Michael Faraday (Jeff Bridges), a history professor specializing in domestic terrorism, whose FBI agent wife was tragically killed in the line of duty. Still in mourning, he finds solace in a friendship with his neighbors, Oliver and Cheryl Lang (Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack). Despite their friendly exterior, there’s something ominous about them. Bridges’ portrayal of an ordinary man edging toward a psychological breakdown, combined with the menacing performances of Robbins and Cusack, anchor this well-executed thriller. The tension builds steadily, mirroring a ticking time bomb. The film culminates in a grim ending featuring a shocking twist that is both unexpected and grim.

      **The ‘Burbs (1989)**

      In The ‘Burbs, Joe Dante satirizes suburban life to absurd levels, infusing the film with dark humor. Curiosity piques when nosy Mayfield Place resident Ray Petersen (played by a neurotic Tom Hanks) begins to wonder about the enigmatic Klopek family living on his street. His fellow neighbors, including Art Weingartner (Rick Ducommun) and Vietnam war veteran Mark Rumsfield (Bruce Dern), share his interest in uncovering the Klopeks’ secrets. The film spends its first half exploring the growing paranoia and obsession regarding the Klopeks, maintaining a level of ambiguity that leaves viewers questioning whether the scary individuals are the intrusive neighbors or the Klopeks themselves, who may simply desire privacy. The film blends comedy with macabre elements and is paced deliberately before erupting into chaos in its finale, particularly with the introduction of the family patriarch, Dr. Werner Klopek, played by the daunting Henry Gibson.

      **Disturbia (2007)**

      A standout film from the otherwise inconsistent D. J. Caruso, Disturbia reinterprets Rear Window for a contemporary audience, replacing James Stewart's wheelchair-bound protagonist with Shia LaBeouf's high school student placed under house arrest. Like Hitchcock’s classic, LaBeouf’s character, Kale Brecht, is confined and spends time spying on his neighbors, particularly the attractive new arrival (Sarah Roemer). Caruso adeptly builds suspense and tension while presenting David Morse’s enigmatic neighbor as quietly sinister. Morse’s portrayal is among his best, stealing the spotlight even as LaBeouf and Roemer share significant moments. Disturbia was successful at the box office, grossing over $118 million on a budget of mid-$20 million. The collaboration between Caruso and