← Back to results
The Boy Next Door
2015 91 min United States of America R 18+
★4.3
Thriller
Director: Rob Cohen
Trailers
EN
EN
EN
Description
A recently cheated on married woman falls for a younger man who has moved in next door, but their torrid affair soon takes a dangerous turn.
Budget:
$4M
US Gross:
$35.42M
Worldwide:
$52.43M
Starring
Jennifer Lopez
Actor
Ryan Guzman
Actor
Kristin Chenoweth
Actor
Awards
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2015
— Most Frightened Performance
Razzie Awards 2016
— Worst Actress
Key opinion
The Boy Next Door is widely regarded as a derivative, shallow thriller that fails to live up to the tension of the classic erotic thrillers it attempts to emulate. While Jennifer Lopez’s star power and physical presence provide a baseline of watchability for some, the film is hampered by a predictable script, weak character development, and lackluster direction.
| Screenplay | The screenplay relies on tired, primitive tropes and predictable plot points that offer no original contribution to the thriller genre. | |
| Emotion | The film fails to generate genuine psychological tension, resulting in a hollow experience that lacks the suspense essential to a thriller. | |
| Acting | Jennifer Lopez's performance is viewed by many as competent or appealing, yet others argue her screen presence is used primarily for superficial glamour rather than substantial character work. | |
| Acting | The performances of the supporting cast, particularly Ryan Guzman, are criticized for a lack of range and failing to make the central obsession believable. | |
| Runtime | While some viewers appreciate the brisk, short runtime as a mindless diversion, others feel the film's thin narrative makes it feel like an exhausting, empty waste of time. |