Prepare to be drawn into a world of moral ambiguity and escalating tension in "The Good Neighbor." Luke Kleintank brings depth to the character of David, whose accidental actions set off a chain of events that spiral out of control. Vanessa's grief, portrayed by Eloise Smyth, adds an emotional anchor to the narrative. However, it's Jonathan Rhys Meyers' portrayal of Robert that steals the show - his portrayal of the seemingly perfect neighbor harboring sinister motives keeps you guessing at every turn. The conflict between David and Robert builds to a climax that's as chilling as it is riveting. This is a story of guilt, redemption, and the dark corners of human nature that will leave you deep in thought long after the credits roll.
65 Reviews
If only we understood Latvian!!
martynspetts6 August 2022
Just watched this. A clever and increasingly sinister plot ruined because a significant amount of the content was spoken in Latvian - especially the closing dialogue!! We tried turning subtitles on but the subtitles were not that informative (might have been our broadcaster) - e.g "Woman speaking Latvian".
If you can understand Latvian and like crime dramas with twists, you'll probably like this. If you don't understand Latvian, you will miss out on some important (I assume!!) dialogue!!
If you can understand Latvian and like crime dramas with twists, you'll probably like this. If you don't understand Latvian, you will miss out on some important (I assume!!) dialogue!!
A nicely paced thriller...
paul_haakonsen18 June 2022
Sitting down to watch the 2021 thriller "The Good Neighbor" was because I had the opportunity to do so. I hadn't even heard about this movie from writer Ross Partridge and director Stephan Rick prior to watching it. But I will say that the movie's synopsis sounded interesting enough to catch my attention. And also the fact that the movie had Jonathan Rhys Meyers on the cast list helped to sweeten the deal.
The storyline in "The Good Neighbor" was good and well-written. Sure, it was somewhat generic at certain aspects and it was somewhat predictable, but it actually made for good entertainment. There was something 'old school thriller' about the way that the story was constructed and brought to life on the screen.
The acting performances in the movie were good, and lead actors Luke Kleintank and Jonathan Rhys Meyers were nicely cast for the leading roles. I was especially impressed with Jonathan Rhys Meyers' performance, because he was superbly cast for that particular role and he brought the characters to life in a very realistic and believable manner.
If you enjoy thrillers, then you definitely should give "The Good Neighbor" a chance, should you have the opportunity to watch it. I was genuinely surprised and entertained with this movie from director Stephan Rick. While the movie is entertaining and watchable, it hardly is a thriller that you will watch more than once, simply as the storyline doesn't have enough layers and contents to support more than a single viewing, as this first viewing leaves nothing else to be discovered.
The ending of the movie, now that was a slap to the face with a cold, dead face. I didn't enjoy that ending one bit.
My rating of "The Good Neighbor" lands on a six out of ten stars.
The storyline in "The Good Neighbor" was good and well-written. Sure, it was somewhat generic at certain aspects and it was somewhat predictable, but it actually made for good entertainment. There was something 'old school thriller' about the way that the story was constructed and brought to life on the screen.
The acting performances in the movie were good, and lead actors Luke Kleintank and Jonathan Rhys Meyers were nicely cast for the leading roles. I was especially impressed with Jonathan Rhys Meyers' performance, because he was superbly cast for that particular role and he brought the characters to life in a very realistic and believable manner.
If you enjoy thrillers, then you definitely should give "The Good Neighbor" a chance, should you have the opportunity to watch it. I was genuinely surprised and entertained with this movie from director Stephan Rick. While the movie is entertaining and watchable, it hardly is a thriller that you will watch more than once, simply as the storyline doesn't have enough layers and contents to support more than a single viewing, as this first viewing leaves nothing else to be discovered.
The ending of the movie, now that was a slap to the face with a cold, dead face. I didn't enjoy that ending one bit.
My rating of "The Good Neighbor" lands on a six out of ten stars.
Ok
gab-6759917 June 2022
Just ok, a bit long and very predictable. I myself LOVE Meyer as an actor but he just didn't mesh well with the other lead actor. His emotions and reaction at times were laughable because they felt so fake or unreal. I really only wanted to see this movie because he was in it but not that I have I wish I hadn't. Was it a good thriller? Yes, but nothing new or special. Good for a one time watch, MAYBE two, but that was it. Never found out why the girl was on her bike, on that road at night in the first place, but oh well.
Cover Up
jeroduptown22 June 2022
Rhys-Meyers is a really great neighbor, until he's not. When David moves to town to work in journalism, he accidentally kills a girl on a bike on the way home from the pub. Meyers single white females him and everything gets nuts.
Should have been a series
brettgriggs-6206222 June 2022
This script had the bones to be great series with more character development. But it got lost in a simple script that over looked character history. To many conincedences to connect the dots. Leads were ok but female detective was to interesting to give such little screen time. Alas..6 out of 10. Didn't wow me.
Interesting only for the stupidity of it
hampersnow-413696 July 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The Good Neighbor makes no sense. It's filled with wild, improbable coincidences, and worst of all stupidity. It has one likable character, the supposed villain played by Rhys-Meyers who at least comes off as a sympathetic character, while the actual lead comes across as a moron you will have problems rooting for. But mainly this movie stinks and is also worth watching, just to count how many ridiculous things take place. The lead kills a woman by accident, feels horrible guilt over it but becomes involved with her sister even though he's trying to cover for the accident ? A woman who loved her dead sister becomes involved with a newspaper reporter she turns to for help in finding out who killed her, when she could have gone to the police ? She has an affair with him even though she's grieving her dead sister ? The editor of a newspaper is murdered and no one seems to even notice he's gone ? Rhys-Meyers just kills people and this is all explained away with some line about how he never had a brother ? This movie is incredible in how ridiculous it is. The European location is very beautiful, Rhys-Meyers does a good job playing the looney neighbor and it's actually great that he turns him not only into a likable character, but one I was rooting for. I just don't think that is what the film makers intended. This is not a good movie.
not what i was expecting
watcher201919 June 2022
Give this a watch it was so much better than i thought it would be. You think you have it sussed then something else happens. Worth watching.....................................................................................................................................
The Good Psychopath
cahidi21 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is the perfect villain in any movie. He plays the wolf-in-sheep-skin parts very well. He was a creepy psychopath in this movie. Too bad the director didn't put him on screen more. They should've made the killing scenes. It would've made this thriller more thrilling. I think those murder scenes would've cranked up the ratings. I mean, what's the point of concealing them when we've already known who's the killer? The killing scenes will add more tension to the story.
It kept my attention, but there was too much wrong about it
srauly21 June 2022
Warning: Spoilers
As stated in my title, the movie kept my attention and felt like a pre-2020 movie, albeit of middling quality (which is more than I can say about most 2020+ movies).
That said, it suffered from poor writing. We're supposed to care about the poor shlub that, while driving drunk and not paying attention to the road, mowed down the girl and left her for dead. Sorry, learning later that she was still alive and his "friend" concealed that from him (more on that in a moment) doesn't change any of that.
To add to the unlikeability of the main character, if he thought he had killed (and left) her, he should have the least bit of decorum to not go out on a date with her sister, let alone have her fall in love with him. Was that ever going to end in a happy ending? In fact, he (and she) seemed to have moved past the girl/sister's death quite quickly, with the two of them going on fun dates like a sushi dinner and then kayaking, with the two of them giggling (I think the dead girl's body was just a few days cold by this point).
OK, so he's a jerk/dope that we shouldn't root for to end up not being incarcerated by the end of the movie, but let's talk about one of the bigger twists at the end that I predicted early on. Recap of events: The dope met a girl at the club, she gave him her number, he immediately called her from his cell so she'd have his, then he gets drunker, drives, and mows her down (unintentionally, but recklessly). It's understandable that he doesn't remember at that moment (while in a state of shock and drunkenness) that he had called her, so he doesn't take her phone with him (which might not have mattered, as the police could have gotten call logs from the girls cell company), but he *should* have remembered that the next day and figured it would add some complications to trying to cover up his crime. So he should have stopped using his phone, ditched it, and then when he reported the car stolen, he should have mentioned that his phone was in the car that was stolen.
Of course, none of that mattered much, because the twisted neighbor friend ends up confessing to the sister (before he hits her, but doesn't quite kill her, with an oar) that the dead girl/sister was still alive, basically setting things up for the sister and doofus to reunite and live happily ever after in the sequel.
Oh that's right, I was supposed to talk about the stupidity of the dead girl surviving the hit-and-run. So drunken doofus mowed her down, and there was nothing to indicate that the evil neighbor/friend had caused this to happen in any way. And, in fact, evil neighbor/friend tried to resuscitate her while drunken doofus looked on. But she showed no signs of life, and they left. So we're supposed to believe that evil neighbor/friend *intentionally* brought her back to life, but *only* enough life that she would still die that night?
That said, it suffered from poor writing. We're supposed to care about the poor shlub that, while driving drunk and not paying attention to the road, mowed down the girl and left her for dead. Sorry, learning later that she was still alive and his "friend" concealed that from him (more on that in a moment) doesn't change any of that.
To add to the unlikeability of the main character, if he thought he had killed (and left) her, he should have the least bit of decorum to not go out on a date with her sister, let alone have her fall in love with him. Was that ever going to end in a happy ending? In fact, he (and she) seemed to have moved past the girl/sister's death quite quickly, with the two of them going on fun dates like a sushi dinner and then kayaking, with the two of them giggling (I think the dead girl's body was just a few days cold by this point).
OK, so he's a jerk/dope that we shouldn't root for to end up not being incarcerated by the end of the movie, but let's talk about one of the bigger twists at the end that I predicted early on. Recap of events: The dope met a girl at the club, she gave him her number, he immediately called her from his cell so she'd have his, then he gets drunker, drives, and mows her down (unintentionally, but recklessly). It's understandable that he doesn't remember at that moment (while in a state of shock and drunkenness) that he had called her, so he doesn't take her phone with him (which might not have mattered, as the police could have gotten call logs from the girls cell company), but he *should* have remembered that the next day and figured it would add some complications to trying to cover up his crime. So he should have stopped using his phone, ditched it, and then when he reported the car stolen, he should have mentioned that his phone was in the car that was stolen.
Of course, none of that mattered much, because the twisted neighbor friend ends up confessing to the sister (before he hits her, but doesn't quite kill her, with an oar) that the dead girl/sister was still alive, basically setting things up for the sister and doofus to reunite and live happily ever after in the sequel.
Oh that's right, I was supposed to talk about the stupidity of the dead girl surviving the hit-and-run. So drunken doofus mowed her down, and there was nothing to indicate that the evil neighbor/friend had caused this to happen in any way. And, in fact, evil neighbor/friend tried to resuscitate her while drunken doofus looked on. But she showed no signs of life, and they left. So we're supposed to believe that evil neighbor/friend *intentionally* brought her back to life, but *only* enough life that she would still die that night?
Beware of thy neighbor
anne-1362221 June 2022
Two neighbors strike up a friendship that quickly spirals out of control when an accident happens that changes both lives. This movie, while a little predictablble in the sense, that as a viewer you know that this friendship can't end well, is straight forward, and was well done. Johnathan Rhys Meyers definetly carries it, but the other actors are ok too. Pacing sometimes a little slow, but overall good.
Gripping thriller with intriguing antagonist
MartinHofmann22 August 2023
Stephan Rick's "The Good Neighbor" turns a quiet neighborhood into a heart-pounding thriller. Rhys-Meyers' portrayal of Robert amps up the tension, giving you those spine-tingling chills. As his character gets creepier by the minute, the movie keeps you guessing and gripping the edge of your seat.
The slow build of tension keeps you engaged, as you witness David's world unraveling in the face of Robert menace. The balance between the everyday and the eerie adds layers to the story, making it a thrilling exploration of psychological suspense.
If you're into psychological suspense and a great antagonist, this one's a must-watch.
The slow build of tension keeps you engaged, as you witness David's world unraveling in the face of Robert menace. The balance between the everyday and the eerie adds layers to the story, making it a thrilling exploration of psychological suspense.
If you're into psychological suspense and a great antagonist, this one's a must-watch.
A Thrilling Story About Guilt and Second Chances
mangosteen5524 August 2023
So, "The Good Neighbor" is one intense ride. You've got David, played by Luke Kleintank, dealing with some heavy guilt after accidentally causing the death of Vanessa's sister. Eloise Smyth as Vanessa really tugs at your heartstrings. But here's the kicker - Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Robert is like the perfect villain, giving you chills with his manipulative vibes. That conflict between David and Robert is like the heartbeat of the movie. It's all about redemption, secrets, and how far these characters will go. Trust me, the tension and twists are real, making it a must-watch if you're into those psychological rollercoasters.
zzzz zzzz zzzzz
Neptune16514 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This movie would have me upset with each scene cause it unrealistic. The Good Neighbor is about a budding friendship between two very different neighbours that takes a tragic turn when David runs over a young woman and causes her death. The plot start up fairly decently but the moment it reaches the second act it loses its way between trying to explore the character of David who's living in constant regret and fear of getting caught specially after the victims sisters approachs him for help and the arc of Robert his friend who slowly starts showing his true colors when he loses the grip of the situation. Even from the entire plot's perspective every move seems predictable to a point that you can relate the entire movie to different other flicks who did the same thing in a way better an inventive way. To be honest I want to like this movie a lot but can't find one reason that makes it original or entertaining at all. Intriguing at first, the plot became predictable toward the end. It had a decent premise and the acting was stellar throughout. Unfortunately this Hitchcock like drama fell apart with inconsistent character development and plot twists.
suspend logic and its ok
wrigco29 July 2023
OK, well this is a psychological thriller, so you wouldn't have any "suspense" if there weren't any obvious huge holes in the plot and the characters' actions didn't have any logic to them, and the cops always followed up on glaring clues. The usual. The innocent are always clueless and the cops always pick the wrong guy anyway. The story stumbles along until a light comes on and the guilty party is exposed - or not - depending on the ending. This is one of those.
JRM is suitably creepy and verging on psychotic. But we don't really get his back story, it seemed rather thin. I mean, there were a lot of murders in a what seemed to be a small expat community.
Everyone was adequate I thought, but I struggled to get the sub-titles to work so all the Latvian chit chat with the cops etc was lost to me.
Still, it wasn't dreadful, I watched to the end.
I did, however, think the ending was crap.
JRM is suitably creepy and verging on psychotic. But we don't really get his back story, it seemed rather thin. I mean, there were a lot of murders in a what seemed to be a small expat community.
Everyone was adequate I thought, but I struggled to get the sub-titles to work so all the Latvian chit chat with the cops etc was lost to me.
Still, it wasn't dreadful, I watched to the end.
I did, however, think the ending was crap.
Good thriller, but it had a pretty big plot hole...
Moviedude904 September 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Ok, so I usually don't get ticky tacky with plot holes as this is a movie and I know I have to suspend some disbelief. Having said that, however, I can't neglect this one:
1) Why in the world would you throw a car in the lake instead of replacing the windshield
2) If you take off the plates, there is still a VIN #. Which can be traced back to that house and owner. No one dumps a car in a lake unless it's a coverup, they'd see the broken windshield (and taillight) and be linked to the crime.
Doesn't make sense at all. The mirror being replaced and no harm no foul.
I can't believe they need to have reviews longer than this, I need to fill the 600 characters so my apologies.
1) Why in the world would you throw a car in the lake instead of replacing the windshield
2) If you take off the plates, there is still a VIN #. Which can be traced back to that house and owner. No one dumps a car in a lake unless it's a coverup, they'd see the broken windshield (and taillight) and be linked to the crime.
Doesn't make sense at all. The mirror being replaced and no harm no foul.
I can't believe they need to have reviews longer than this, I need to fill the 600 characters so my apologies.
Great performance from Jonathan Rhys Meyers, but only an average film overall
jimbo-53-18651113 August 2022
When two newly acquainted neighbours decide to go out for a drink together their lives change for ever when they knock a cyclist down on a quiet road on the way back from the club killing her instantly. Rather than do the right thing both men flee the scene. Worse is to follow when journalist David (the driver responsible) is assigned with the task of investigating his own crime, but he also starts seeing the victim's sister Vanessa whom is unaware of David's true identity...
There is quite a quirky dynamic between Robert and David which, at times, does make the film interesting. You can sense early on that Robert is a ticking time bomb whom it seems does not take rejection particularly well. On the other hand, David seems more of an average Joe who doesn't seem to possess any strange character traits; his only flaw perhaps is that he can be easily lead which is what puts him in the mess he ultimately ends up in.
Whilst it's clearly pivotal to the plot I have to admit to being less impressed with the film when Vanessa arrives on the scene. The bulk of the film revolves around her blossoming relationship with David; in all honesty David and Vanessa are both a tad bland and I would have preferred it if more focus would have been shifted on to both Robert (due to his more interesting persona) and the investigation surrounding the collision (which seems under-utilised). The only mildly intriguing aspect of their relationship is finding out when/if/how Vanessa discovers the truth, but for me it's not a good enough hook to keep me fully involved.
Thank goodness then for Jonathan Rhys Meyers whose creepy unhinged performance here is the highlight of the film. I did miss him when he wasn't on the screen as every other aspect of the story was a tad mundane. He transforms a rather unremarkable film in to something that is semi-watchable which is quite commendable.
The Good Neighbour is worth a look if there's nothing else on, but it's not something I would recommend making a big point of seeing.
There is quite a quirky dynamic between Robert and David which, at times, does make the film interesting. You can sense early on that Robert is a ticking time bomb whom it seems does not take rejection particularly well. On the other hand, David seems more of an average Joe who doesn't seem to possess any strange character traits; his only flaw perhaps is that he can be easily lead which is what puts him in the mess he ultimately ends up in.
Whilst it's clearly pivotal to the plot I have to admit to being less impressed with the film when Vanessa arrives on the scene. The bulk of the film revolves around her blossoming relationship with David; in all honesty David and Vanessa are both a tad bland and I would have preferred it if more focus would have been shifted on to both Robert (due to his more interesting persona) and the investigation surrounding the collision (which seems under-utilised). The only mildly intriguing aspect of their relationship is finding out when/if/how Vanessa discovers the truth, but for me it's not a good enough hook to keep me fully involved.
Thank goodness then for Jonathan Rhys Meyers whose creepy unhinged performance here is the highlight of the film. I did miss him when he wasn't on the screen as every other aspect of the story was a tad mundane. He transforms a rather unremarkable film in to something that is semi-watchable which is quite commendable.
The Good Neighbour is worth a look if there's nothing else on, but it's not something I would recommend making a big point of seeing.
What would you have done?
cynthia-5862418 June 2022
This one of those movies that starts out with the question what any of us would have in the same situation as the protagonist. What if you did something bad and you could get away with it? Has been done before. But the performances are really strong. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is great in his mix of subtle and all out moments. Luke Kleintank does a good job, being relatable while at the same time going down a slippery slope. The film has a retro feel in its premise, and also the pacing is not superfast, but the tension rises constantly to a surprising climax.
Very Predictable
utopianikos1 October 2022
Was quite excited to watch this film as I enjoy watching thrillers. I felt that the trailer was more exciting then the actual film. The plot was very predictable and I had worked out what was going to happen and the plot from the start. Nevertheless I did continue until the end which was somewhat what I expected but with an added puzzling surprise. The actor Jonathan Meyers didn't really fit the part and certainly I was very disappointed with his acting which doesn't really reflect his previous films. It was also quite disappointing to see Bruce Grant as this again does not reflect his long career in films. His part in this was quite short and the outcome and exit was again predictable and disappointing. There was quite a bit of foreign language spoken which was very disappointing. Nevertheless I would recommend watching the film if you like this type of movie and ensure that you watch until the end.
A thriller that gets progressively more uninteresting! [+40%]
arungeorge132 October 2022
Stephan Rick's thriller starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Luke Kleintank dips heavily during the middle and doesn't ever recover. It has an intriguing Latvian setting and a somewhat contrived premise, but what keeps you initially interested is how the lead characters react to the situation(s) they find themselves in. We only get a generic sketch of who they are, what they do, and what comprises their immediate past. The script doesn't bother to give you more details, neither do the performances carry enough heft to make you care. Between the two, Meyers comes up with a much better show since Kleintank's essentially a "tree trunk" during the entirety of the film. As an ardent thriller-enjoyer, I'd say this one bites the dust pretty quickly.
Good, tense thriller
email-7020017 June 2022
This is a good little thriller. Jonathan Rhys Meyers certainly knows how to play someone unhinged. You can tell there is something bubbling underneath his surface. I like how the tension slowly rises until the finale. Also the area the movie is shot in is something else. I don't know how much was shot on a soundstage but Riga as a backdrop is certainly a welcome change up. As I said, it is a good little thriller that hopefully doesn't get overlooked.
yet another quasi anglo-american...
ops-5253518 June 2022
Production going behind the iron curtain to shoot a movie because the cost of production a far lower there then in the west...enough about that...
its an accidental killing , and the unfortunate ones, just become neighbours does try to hide away the evindences.the collateral damage done in the plot isnt new nor original and the twists aint turning you upside down, but a small thrill in some broken latvian english, the small cast do what they are told, the story aint lifting an eyebrow of mine, it barely too slow on the plot and the playtime a bit too long, the filmography though have a layer of high quality. The score is nothing new on the block very generalized thriller music.
Its laike a quick lay, easi done , easi gone, and no more than that. Grumpy old man generously awards this a weak 6.
its an accidental killing , and the unfortunate ones, just become neighbours does try to hide away the evindences.the collateral damage done in the plot isnt new nor original and the twists aint turning you upside down, but a small thrill in some broken latvian english, the small cast do what they are told, the story aint lifting an eyebrow of mine, it barely too slow on the plot and the playtime a bit too long, the filmography though have a layer of high quality. The score is nothing new on the block very generalized thriller music.
Its laike a quick lay, easi done , easi gone, and no more than that. Grumpy old man generously awards this a weak 6.
ok - but-
edwardspre9 August 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Overall it was pretty decent , but what spoilt it was the alibi of the guys getting the tram the night of the crash at 12.15 (the police accepted this alibi) the girls sister found out that the trams stopped over the weekend at 10.00pm for engineering work without much effort , surely the most inept of police would have checked this out.
Unsettling and unhinged
joannefraser-0687621 September 2023
Jonathan Rhys Meyers makes this film and he is the one who can fool and does it all silently devoid of empathy for all that gets in the way of his plan. Revenge is on his mind and his neighbor is the first to get his car damaged. Her sister comes to see the crime journalist who is involved with his own crime,,... Untrusting sly and both know what happened but each one of the other is getting more and more aggressive with each other. Not knowing what really is going on makes for a good psychological thriller that is definitely worth watching it is a situation that is plausible and reality turned on its head.
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