The Good Neighbor

"The Good Neighbor" is a 2016 psychological thriller that follows two curious high school friends, Sean and Ethan, who embark on a daring and dangerous experiment to test the boundaries of their neighborhood. When they learn that their seemingly reclusive neighbor, Harold, is grieving the loss of his wife, they decide to set up surveillance in his home to observe his behavior and unsuspecting reactions. As they delve deeper into their secret experiment, they find themselves entangled in a complex web of mystery, fear, and unexpected consequences. The film explores themes of voyeurism, loneliness, and the ethical dilemmas of intruding into someone else's life.

Critical reception of "The Good Neighbor" was largely mixed to negative. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 36% approval rating, with critics pointing out that despite an intriguing premise, it failed to deliver sustained tension or meaningful depth. The consensus highlighted that the movie's suspense was undercut by predictable plot developments and uneven pacing. Metacritic assigns it a score of 32 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews. Many critics felt the film squandered its potential to be a compelling psychological thriller. However, some reviews praised the performances, especially Logan Miller’s portrayal of Sean, and noted the atmospheric cinematography that added a layer of subtle unease. IMDb users gave it a more moderate rating of 6.3/10, suggesting that while the movie may not have appealed to critics, it found some appreciation among general audiences for its suspenseful moments and thought-provoking themes. Overall, "The Good Neighbor" is considered a flawed but occasionally engaging thriller that sparks interest but doesn't fully satisfy genre expectations.