"Danger Next Door" (aka, "Terror in the Country") was a psychologically sophisticated film about the experience of trauma. After Robin and Ben suffered a brutal mugging in Chicago, Robin, a successful attorney, is haunted by the event. The couple then relocates to the country seeking solace. Instead, they experience a nightmare with their neighbors.
Guy and Sharon are affable senior citizens with a wonderful garden. At first, the neighborly hospitality is endearing. But it soon becomes overbearing. Finally, it turns into violent pathological behavior.
The strength of the film was in the depiction of trauma and the way it was handled by Robin. There was a credible sense of her vulnerability and the stress of having to cope not only with her first pregnancy, but with a recurring sense of panic.
The film's direction was crisp with interesting interior and exterior settings, as well as oblique camera angles. While the film's pacing was slow, there was nonetheless an increasing sense of danger.
It was unfortunate that the nicest character in the film, the law partner of Robin named Amanda Foster, became collateral damage. The extra violence was unnecessary as the focus was primarily on Robin's fragile psyche. The performances were first-rate, especially in the bonding of Robin and Ben as they struggled with their creepy neighbors.
Guy and Sharon are affable senior citizens with a wonderful garden. At first, the neighborly hospitality is endearing. But it soon becomes overbearing. Finally, it turns into violent pathological behavior.
The strength of the film was in the depiction of trauma and the way it was handled by Robin. There was a credible sense of her vulnerability and the stress of having to cope not only with her first pregnancy, but with a recurring sense of panic.
The film's direction was crisp with interesting interior and exterior settings, as well as oblique camera angles. While the film's pacing was slow, there was nonetheless an increasing sense of danger.
It was unfortunate that the nicest character in the film, the law partner of Robin named Amanda Foster, became collateral damage. The extra violence was unnecessary as the focus was primarily on Robin's fragile psyche. The performances were first-rate, especially in the bonding of Robin and Ben as they struggled with their creepy neighbors.