The Good Neighbor (2016)
A pair of mischievous high school kids (Logan Miller, Keir Gilchrist) create the illusion of a haunting on an unsuspecting neighbor (James Caan). While keeping his every reaction under surveillance, they see much more than they bargained for, and discover that the man they’re tormenting is not the easy target they’d expected.
Fan Review: Despite a significant portion of the film focusing on the grating pranks of two young protagonists, a disturbing undercurrent builds, revealing one to be a truly loathsome sociopath leading inexorably to tragedy. The film is anchored by excellent acting, notably James Caan’s compelling portrayal of a crotchety older man whose character evolves with striking depth. More than just a narrative, the movie insightfully examines profound themes: human depravity, the complexities of broken families, the sway of youth influence, the realities of terminal illness, the ache of lost love and the solitude of age, and crucial questions of ethics and justice (distinctly not within the horror genre). Be warned, this is a somber story with a somewhat disturbing conclusion that prompts considerable reflection.