Admittedly, I did not know what to expect when I had the opportunity to receive a screener for Neighborhood Watch. The film stars Jack Quaid (The Boys), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead), and Malin Akerman (Watchmen), so by all accounts, a very likable and talented cast, which means a pretty good film, right?
Wrong, because it was a great film that, like the title of this article, kept me invested from beginning to end. There was not a single moment I found myself bored or tempted by other distractions, yes, the film was that kind of great!
The film's plot is straightforward until it isn't. Quaid plays Simon, a troubled young man dealing with, and this is my best guess, paranoid schizophrenia, as a result of, presumably, abuse from his deceased father.
As he struggles to find a job after spending several years in a mental hospital (living with his older sister DeeDee (Akerman)), he witnesses a young woman getting kidnapped. All efforts to contact the police are in vain as they do not believe him due to his mental illness record and for his previous attack on police officers.
As a last resort, he seeks help from his, presumably, widowed neighbor, Mr. Deerman (Morgan), a retired college campus security officer. Together, they try to learn who this girl is, why she was kidnapped, and who did it.
Now I had to assume a lot because the film relies heavily on imagery and details hidden in plain sight. If you are someone who is very observant, this film will be a field day for you, as it was for me.
What do I mean by this? For example, Simon is plagued with hearing a deep and cruel man's voice, who we immediately figure out is his dead father.
Although the movie never clearly states that Simon was abused by his father, all evidence points in that direction. We never hear of Mr. Deerman's wife or family for that matter, but a quick glimpse at a picture frame of a young couple tells us all we need to know.
American imagery floods the film, taking place in Alabama, from a literal American flag design on one of DeeDee's hair client's purse to Mr. Deerman's home literally painted in red, white, and blue. Women themselves play a powerful part throughout the entire film.
DeeDee is the sole breadwinner of the home, juggling her job, going to night school to be a nurse, and taking care of her brother. When Simon and Mr. Deerman believe the young woman could have been an escort and go asking around, it is a female pimp or madam who confronts them as opposed to the usual male pimp.
And while I will not spoil the entire ending, let's just say another woman has all the power in regard to the missing woman. Nearly every aspect of the film was dissected and executed to perfection.
Mr. Deerman's Magic 8 Ball comes quite in handy upon its first introduction. The same goes for his hand sanitizer and hidden safe behind a wall clock.
But perhaps most of all is the pen that he habitually clicks. Quaid and Morgan steal the entire film, working well off each other as their differences soon become the very glue of their friendship.
If I had to choose between Quaid and Morgan, Quaid's performance blew me away. You cannot help but feel instant pity and a need to protect Simon.
The film did not shy away from truly trying to express how painful his mental illness is, as he violently panics, has incoherent outbursts, and struggles to shut up that horrid voice in his head. The film does not shy away from how a lot of the world views mental illness either.
Two scenes with Quaid stuck out to me the most: one where Mr. Deerman asks what his illness is like and Simon fiddles with Mr. Deerman's car radio, constantly turning up the volume while switching stations and two when the police officer at the end of the film gives him a pat on the back and a "good job".
Literal waterworks. Simon probably never heard those words a day in his life.
The ending of the film, while it is a solid ending, is still realistic as Simon's illness is not magically cured, but he has found a friend and way to help combat the voice and hallucination of his dead father. Mr. Deerman is still retired and may feel like his life needs more than simply living at home and ignoring his health problems, but now he, too has found a friend and someone he can help.
If this review doesn't sell you, I do not know what will. Neighborhood Watch is a must-see, whether you are into thrillers or not.
Your hand won't be held the entire time, but you won't be scratching your head by the end either. Thank you so much to Tiffical Public Relations and IFC for the Neighborhood Watch screener.
Neighborhood Watch arrives in theaters April 25.