Neighbor (2009)

Directed by: Robert A. Masciantonio | 92 minutes | horror, thriller | Actors: America Olivo, Christian Campbell, Lauren Rooney, Pete Postiglione, Joseph Aniska, Sarah McCarron, Amy Rutledge, Mink Stole, Meredith Stole, Meredith Orlow, Giovanna Galdi, Tracy Toth, Robert A. Masciantonio, Stink Fisher, Megan Madsen, Alexandra Golaszewska, Natalie Toth, Angeline Zeigler, Adam Bruce

No matter how annoying your neighbors are, cherish them because it could always be worse. Neighborhood rumor takes on a completely different meaning in ‘Neighbor’. You don’t want the neighbor from this raw slasher living next door to you. When this character comes asking for a cup of sugar, you better climb over your fence as soon as possible and run screaming…

‘Neighbor’ revolves around the mysterious, nameless neighbor from the title (America Olivo). This lady goes from town to town to indulge in her infernal hobbies. You have come to the wrong place for a game of wild knitting or Twister. Madame prefers to spend time in the noble art of piercing toes with tools and severing arms with dull knives. Well. When a group of friends ‘get acquainted’ with this sadistic wench, things go wrong. With them that is.

‘Neighbor’ is a cheaply made horror film that shows a lot. That is certainly commendable, but the special effects consist of the cheaper plaster and craftwork. It is above all the power of the suggestion that makes you shudder. The idea of ​​someone rooting in your toe with a drill is disgusting enough. It goes a few notches (in this case a complete set of teeth) further, because there is also a scene in which the male sex and a kind of knitting needle play the leading role. The idea gives goosebumps, but the execution a lot less. The special effects are not so convincing: at times the film is reminiscent of a production by Italian horror maestro Lucio Fulci as he made it in the 70s and 80s.

If you’re tired of glossy Hollywood horror, ‘Neighbor’ might be for you. This is house-garden-kitchen violence made for an apple and an egg. You can lose everything, but that also gives this production its charm. This is a boyhood dream made flesh: getting dirty together in front of the camera. The choice for America Olivo is also understandable, because she is ‘the babe’ that the target group is waiting for. Olivo (best known for the no less legendary ‘Bitch Slap’) doesn’t do (really) bad, because she plays a pretty twisted neighbor. In addition, she was also not afraid to play in a rather superfluous – albeit modest – nude scene.

That Olivo stands out in terms of acting, doesn’t say much because the rest of the cast is depressing. Especially Christian Campbell acts far below par. In the torture scenes, he doesn’t seem to realize what he’s doing. You’d think he’d stub his little toe, when he’s actually being brutally mistreated. The acting of the cast is wooden and amateurish. Story-wise, there are also a few things wrong with ‘Neighbor’. Blurred flashback scenes and a slow pace of narration are interspersed with highly graphic horror passages. It’s not going well. Gorehounds who want to watch a ‘dirty’ movie won’t be disappointed, but if you’re looking for high-level horror then please look further.