“Neighborhood Watch” : Suspense on Snooze Patrol

Director Duncan Skiles taps into the buddy pic genre for his feature debut in “Neighborhood Watch” from RJLE Films. Simon (Jack Quaid) is a young man grappling with mental illness who becomes convinced that he has witnessed an abduction. When he reports it to the police, and they refuse to believe him, he reluctantly seeks the help of his neighbor Ed (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), a jaded, retired security guard with a troubled past. As the unlikely duo delves deeper into the mystery, their pursuit of the truth forces them to confront the disappearance’s dark secrets and the unspoken wounds that haunt them.

Jack Quaid is quickly establishing himself outside of his famous parent’s shadow, and he’s at the point now in his career where anything he’s in, I’m willing to give it a look. Similarly, Jeffrey Dean Morgan won me over as an actor nearly two decades ago as Denny on “Grey’s Anatomy.” That said, it’s a shame that this film wastes their talents.

Quaid delivers a sensitive and complex performance as Simon, who struggles with mental illness, while Morgan portrays Ed with a hardened realness as the disenchanted former security guard. The actors share a powerful chemistry that serves as the emotional foundation of the film, yet they should be showcased in a more compelling story. 

I’ll credit the film for not transforming into a retread of the ill-fated 1990 comedy “Loose Cannons,” starring Gene Hackman and Dan Aykroyd, into a more convoluted mess. The filmmakers wisely chose not to include an unnecessary romance involving Malin Akerman’s character, who plays Simon’s sister. This decision allowed the story to focus on the comedic elements and character dynamics instead of diverting attention to a forced romantic subplot that would have detracted from the main storyline.

The film begins with an intriguing central mystery about an alleged abduction that no one believes but later falls into predictable patterns. It relies too heavily on worn tropes, with elements such as harsh mentoring figures, easily hidden secrets, and an inadequately developed redemption storyline. The film’s dialogue comes across as informational rather than natural, and this approach strips away the intended suspense and complexity of the narrative.

“Neighborhood Watch” has a steady pace and creates some atmospheric tension, but these elements fail to conceal the storyline’s lack of innovation. Expert moviegoers will see this project as the work of an inexperienced filmmaker when they see how a potentially gripping thriller turns into an unmemorable story that suffers under its weight of seriousness.

Strong performances are overlooked due to the narrative’s cautious approach. “Neighborhood Watch” had the potential to explore profound themes but ultimately only scratches the surface.

Final Grade: C-

“NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH” is in theaters now