Director: Rob Cohen
Writer: Barbara Curry (Screenplay)
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, Ian Nelson, John Corbett, Kristin Chenoweth, Lexi Atkins, Hill Harper
Plot: A newly divorced woman falls for a younger man who has recently moved in across the street from her, but their torrid affair soon takes a dangerous turn.
There may be spoilers the rest of the review
Verdict: Fatal Attraction the DVD Sequel
Story: The Boy Next Door starts by showing the details of Claire (Lopez) and her divorce from Garrett (Corbett), she has been getting through it with her friend Vicky (Chenoweth) but to make thing difficult Claire wants to do the right thing for their son Kevin (Nelson). Claire meets her new neighbor Noah (Guzman) who offers to help around the house as he looks after his ill uncle.
Noah and Kevin start hanging out with Noah showing Kevin certain things mostly handy orientated. Noah wants to get back into school to learn about literature which just so happens to be the class that Claire teaches, this brings the two closer together. Claire is forced into going on a date for the first time in 18 years and things go terrible, leading to Claire to spend the night with Noah, where she regrets the moment she wakes up in the morning.
When Kevin returns we start to see a change in Noah as Noah starts to become obsessed with Claire. Things take a turn when Claire decides to let Garrett have another chance and try and work out their marriage. Noah starts his plan to get Claire by talking Kevin into resenting Garrett for living him for 9 months. We continue to learn about Noah’s past and we see just how disturbed he really is and how much danger Claire has put herself in.
The Boy Next Door is a film that follows the very simple guidelines for stalker obsessed films, everything comes off very standard. We have the let’s get friendly with the neighbor routine, the wildly drunken night, realization of the mistake before the friendly person turns out to be crazy. Now time for the problems, the son really isn’t going to be swayed by a conversation when he was already excited about his parents getting back together. I also feel that Noah’s character really didn’t have any idea what he wanted from Claire because he never explains about running off into the sunset or anything. I don’t expect this to go down as one of the better films of the year but I do feel like that casual fan will get enough entertainment out of it all. (5/10)
Actor Review
Jennifer Lopez: Claire Peterson separated wife, mother and teacher who spends the night with her new neighbour, but when she wants to give her husband another chance leading to her having to fight for her career and life from this obsessed boy. I was going to give Jennifer a good mark but the final act was just terrible from her she looked completely out of place. (3/10)
Ryan Guzman: Noah Sandborn the new neighbor who helps around the house before having a night with Claire. He turns obsessive when he gets told it was a mistake and Claire decides to give her husband another chance. Ryan does a solid job with his character and manages to play both sides nicely. (6/10)
Ian Nelson: Kevin Peterson son of Claire who becomes friends with Noah who then starts to get played by Noah into pushing the family apart. Ian does a solid job but does come off very annoying. (5/10)
John Corbett: Garrett Peterson the husband who is trying to make up for his mistakes and rebuild his family with Claire and Kevin. John does a solid job in the supporting role but never does have enough time on camera. (5/10)
Kristin Chenoweth: Vicky Lansing the vice principal and good friend of Claire’s who is trying to push her into dating but soon has to help her cover up for the mistake that Claire makes. Kristin gives a solid supporting performance. (6/10)
Support Cast: The Boy Next Door doesn’t have the biggest supporting cast with not many characters turn up in many other scenes.
Director Review: Rob Cohen – Rob does a solid job but the final act feels rushed and out of place for the whole film. (5/10)
Thriller: The Boy Next Door does give you the feeling of what will happen next but never pulls you fully in. (5/10)
Settings: The Boy Next Door uses very basic settings, the home, the school and well that seems to be it we have a few scenes here and there but they all work to make the film have the right location feel to it. (7/10)
Suggestion: The Boy Next Door is one to try, it does enough for the casual fan but it doesn’t stand up next to other thrillers. (Try It)
Best Part: Noah beats up the bully
Worst Part: Final act is rushed and escalates the story too fast.
What Could Have Been Better? – Better pacing.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: No
Post Credits Scene: No
Similar Too: Fatal Attraction
Oscar Chances: No
Box Office: $37 Million to date.
Budget: $4 Million
Runtime: 1 Hour 31 Minutes
Tagline: A moment she couldn’t resist, an obsession he can’t control.
Overall: The Boy Next Door really is a bog standard thriller that will easily be forgotten.
Rating 
