The story itself wasn't too bad (a bit weak & fairly predictable); it would have been better with more background info on the neighbor. Having said that, casting for the neighbor was spot-on; he was believably creepy. The lead actor who played Pastor didn't own the role very well. Worth watching? Meh...if nothing else is on.
29 Reviews
Will keep your attention but...
grayey116 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The creepy neighbor (played well) would have been reported to the police after the first couple incidents - even if it was happening to a pastor who wanted to make him a better person.
You almost forget the pastor and his wife have a child. He is shown once near the beginning and then not until he goes missing. Barely mentioned.
I agree there is no background explained about the neighbor besides his grandmother story. Does he work, ever been married, why is he so creepy?
This is not a horror movie by no means.
Serviceable thriller
Richiecass29 October 2021
The story and plot are quite workable as a thriller drama. Production value is low in this obviously low budget indie so I think it's become underrated because of that. If you just watch it and go with it, ignore the low production values, it keeps you hooked throughout, even a few twists. I enjoyed it.
Confusing and Concerning Message
penelopemmorris23 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This movie fails to deliver on any level. It's Christian message is handfisted, overwrought and tortured. The thriller concept becomes completely unbelievable and irrational. The writing was forced and the actors had nothing work with. The couples' relationship was awkward and cringeworthy. Clearly, they were operating on a low budget, but that isn't an excuse for bad storytelling. So many plot holes. Letting the neighbor come into the hot tub and their home when they weren't there?! Not calling the police and driving away after discovering your house was bugged and having an intense confrontation with a crazy person?! The story dragged on and didn't have any sense of closure at any point in time. We're supposed to feel bad for the villian because of his mental illness, but he becomes extremely threatening and psychotic. The message of sacrificing the safety of your family for ministry is a dangerous one.
Plot holes and exhausting dialogue
MariaJolene24 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I've never heard a wife call her husband Pastor so many times in my life....it became very unbelievable to hear two pastor wives referencing their husbands as "Pastor" to each other instead of their first name or "my husband". That was painful and so very off putting.
. The plot had a lot of holes, no real follow through on the neighbors history or potential mental issue. I was expecting the neighbor to turn out to be someone the "Pastor" had known when he was a kid and hadn't treated right or perhaps saw signs of abuse and didn't report it to an adult. The neighbor was painted as a recluse but suddenly comes to the door and stops by the couples home many times...that seemed abrupt.
The actor that played the neighbor was hands down the best in the movie, letting his gaze linger too long and other non verbals that show something wasn't right. The ending seemed quite abrupt and didn't really resonate with a clear message.
The beginning aerial shots were very nice and had a big picture feel. I feel this is a stepping stone to something greater.
Overall - The director needs to focus his talents on directing because that is where his talents are - the writing needs to be done by someone talented in that area. Movies can contain a positive or Christian message and still be relevant to non church communities. The writing can make that happen successfully.
. The plot had a lot of holes, no real follow through on the neighbors history or potential mental issue. I was expecting the neighbor to turn out to be someone the "Pastor" had known when he was a kid and hadn't treated right or perhaps saw signs of abuse and didn't report it to an adult. The neighbor was painted as a recluse but suddenly comes to the door and stops by the couples home many times...that seemed abrupt.
The actor that played the neighbor was hands down the best in the movie, letting his gaze linger too long and other non verbals that show something wasn't right. The ending seemed quite abrupt and didn't really resonate with a clear message.
The beginning aerial shots were very nice and had a big picture feel. I feel this is a stepping stone to something greater.
Overall - The director needs to focus his talents on directing because that is where his talents are - the writing needs to be done by someone talented in that area. Movies can contain a positive or Christian message and still be relevant to non church communities. The writing can make that happen successfully.
Hilariously bad.
lailaiblustella26 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I mean, are Christians even trying?
1. The only person in the movie who wasn't a bubbly, god-fearing, church-going citizen was a possibly schizophrenic, previously abused, dangerous psycho.
ZERO representation for anyone who could possibly not believe in god or not go to church and still be a normal, good person. Believe me, they exist in large numbers.
2. How did pastor Zach know that the crazy neighbor took his wife to the abandoned church? Lol
3. Why didn't anyone call the cops?
4. The marriage between Zach and his wife so pathetic and fragile
5. This movie points out a lot of the reasons why people turn away from religion. For instance, the notion that a wife must obey their husband. "why can't you do what I tell you to do?" Zach says to his wife at some point. There are many other examples.
6. The only black representation in the movie was a preachy, ex-con at the end of the movie.
This was just laughable and pathetic.
The only redeemable qualities of the movie were the following:
1. Pastor Zach's honesty and admittance of his flaws
2. The actor who played the crazy neighbor
3. It managed to keep my attention if for no other reason than just wanting to see how bad the ending was.
Our Family is our first ministry
chowcasio13 February 2021
Loving thy neighbor at a cost
mandyvs-872147 July 2021
This was an interesting storyline about a young pastor who evangelizes his neighbor who seems to be intent on hurting his family. This thriller will leave you questioning the next time you reach out to the lost in an effort to bring them to faith.
Unusual Christian thriller. Worth the watch.
chantezj188 May 2020
Yes, the writing could be better. But there was a few subtleties and decent lines, and the plot as a whole was good. So the writers, yes, could develop their skills more, but also did have talent. So many independent Christian films are filled with poor lines after poor line.
Most casting? Could be better. But the neighbor....spot on. He was creepy, I believed his character. They could cast him in criminal minds. They set up the ending well, all the key components were laid out even if you don't realize it at first.
It's not overly preachy, that's the point. It's not fully about preaching, or else the ending would be very different. The ending IS about redemption. The end IS about God's love. And IS about each and every verse about Thy Neighbor.
You can't be serious.
captjaxo21 April 2020
This is hilarious.
I laughed so hard at this movie. 99 times out of 100 when people tell me to watch a bad movie because it's fun to laugh at, it's not fun. It's just pathetic to watch. But THIS is different. I can't help but wonder if this movie isn't misunderstood satire. I was laughing my pants off by the end at the direction everything went. This is underrated satire treasure.
I laughed so hard at this movie. 99 times out of 100 when people tell me to watch a bad movie because it's fun to laugh at, it's not fun. It's just pathetic to watch. But THIS is different. I can't help but wonder if this movie isn't misunderstood satire. I was laughing my pants off by the end at the direction everything went. This is underrated satire treasure.
Game changer for the faith based genre
jhope-2276219 October 2019
I rarely watch faith bases movies because they are just so bad. They gloss over the depths of humanity and make the problem as superficial as astro turf. Not this film! Those creating films in this genre should take note. It explores the darker side of faith when it meets the darker side if humanity. Well done and I hope more films come out like this. Acting was awesome!
Ambiguous ending
purcilia26 October 2019
Not what I was expecting
elizsepponen20 October 2019
It's not your typical Christian flick.
True to life, all of the characters are deeply flawed. There is a story within a story - my mind was trying to pick through the threads. It's a suspenseful slow reveal with the pay off not packaged in a tidy bow.
If you like suspense it's a good watch.
It's a nice thrill without gore.
Most noteworthy, it's a Christian flick that preaches to itself and leaves you out of it.
A must see!
jhza-7394720 October 2019
Although this movie didn't have the normal "Christian movie feel, it really challenges one to look within themselves and see how they would react from a personal perspective and Christian perspective. George hit this one out of the park.
Amazing!
jlutt-5373220 October 2019
This movie was absolutely amazing! The storyline was incredible and the acting was SO good! It definitely keeps you on your toes because you have no idea what's going to happen next! I will definitely be recommending this to everyone and will be watching it again! The actors/actresses in this movie definitely deserve awards!
Christian films just made a huge leap forward!
rich-6072520 October 2019
I don't watch Christian films because they seem to be the same story over and over. A kid dies, the family struggles, learns to love again, etc, etc, etc.
Thy Neighbor tackles a modern subject with a unique point of view. It challenges the viewer with suspense and intense drama.
From the production side, it's really well shot, acted, written. I got lost in the story. Ha, I even had a passionate discussion with my wife about one scene. That's how emotionally invested I was into the film.
Whether you're a Christian or not, it's a great film. It transcends the "Christian film" genre. If you like thrillers, watch it. If you like dramas, watch it. If you like faith based films, watch it.
I can't wait for George Johnson's next film.
Thy Neighbor tackles a modern subject with a unique point of view. It challenges the viewer with suspense and intense drama.
From the production side, it's really well shot, acted, written. I got lost in the story. Ha, I even had a passionate discussion with my wife about one scene. That's how emotionally invested I was into the film.
Whether you're a Christian or not, it's a great film. It transcends the "Christian film" genre. If you like thrillers, watch it. If you like dramas, watch it. If you like faith based films, watch it.
I can't wait for George Johnson's next film.
Awesome thriller movie
msweezy20 October 2019
Great movie
lorialandis20 October 2019
This movie blew my mind I didn't think it would be as scary as it was. Dave Payne did a tremendous job of being creepy. I'm glad I wasn't home alone watching this movie! It was suspenseful not gory like a lot of Halloween movies are and I appreciate that part. I like a good suspense movie and this one met all the criteria! Well done to George Johnson and the entire cast and crew behind this movie! Excellent!!!
Creepy!
godsaves-705428 November 2019
I found this movie very creepy and suspenseful, but not the typical gore and horror! But I also appreciated the deeper message of the spiritual warfare endured by those in the ministry. The pressure on clergy couples was portrayed in a way that cut to my heart. The unseen world had a face in this movie!
Attention keeping
theHeavenFamily25 October 2019
Not your usual Christian film
terry-5787919 October 2019
I thought I already had it figured out how the movie was going to go. Next door neighbor who is awkward and rejected doesn't rub the pastor just right but in the end the pastor leads him to Jesus...boy was I wrong. This is a true thriller, the opening sequences feel like a big budget movie...its well done, very creepy neighbor and a movie that made me jump.
Loved it!!!
shorttfacebook20 October 2019
Astounding!
askpapa20 October 2019
Just finished watching this movie. I can honestly say that Dave Payton's portrayal of a mentally ill person is every bit as powerful as Joaquin Phoenix's in Joker. He may even be just a bit scarier and a bit more creepy. I now understand why this movie has won so many awards. George A. Johnson has hit a home run with this psychological thriller.
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