Review of Neighbor (2009) by Sailormoon797 F — 14 Jan 2011

What a terrible exercise in masturbatory horror. How stupid and trivial can a slasher be? Neighbor is your answer. What was Robert A. Masciantonio trying to accomplish here. Certainly, it wasn't horror.

Horror understands the elements of dread. A good horror film understands how to play upon the audience. This film beats you stupidly with it's attempt to "shock." Cheeks are punctured, knee caps sawn, and at one point a needle is inserted into the penis of our main character, then snapped inside.

Sounds like a ton of fun doesn't it? Don't get me wrong, I'm not berating this movie for it's level of gore and violence. I was not offended by the acts. More so the immature fashion of which they were carried out.

The story is incoherent. What starts as a potential American Psycho rip-off soon turns into an incoherent mess that's simply fashioned to show and indulge in these torture scenes. Judging by this film I can safely say that Masciantonio is an idiot of film.

He cannot tell a story, he does not understand the function of developing characters. Emotionally stunted, he's crafted childish attempt at torture porn as a way to say, "Isn't this shocking! Aren't I a hardcore director?" No, you're not.

You're not even a director. Certainly, you're not a screenwriter of any respectable merit. I'm not married to the three act structure but it wouldn't hurt to show some resemblance of a fully articulated story.

I like my horror raw, real, and driven by an instinctual understanding of human nature. Not emotionally immature shock pieces. Anyone who enjoys horror would be wise to skip this. If you enjoy pointless torture, then sit back, relax, and enjoy the fucking show.