Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
Two high school filmmakers decide to create the illusion of a haunting on an unsuspecting neighbor.
The Good Neighbor is a modest found-footage-adjacent thriller that blends surveillance footage with dramatic flashbacks to reveal the true story of the reclusive neighbor. The concept is reasonably fresh in its execution, mixing teen prank horror with genuine pathos as the neighbor's backstory unfolds. Acting is serviceable from the leads and James Caan brings weight to his role. The cinematography is functional but unremarkable, leaning on handheld and surveillance aesthetics without much visual distinction. The plot holds together adequately though it can feel slow. The ending delivers a somber, melancholy payoff that elevates the material slightly above its premise.