The Good Neighbor

The Good Neighbor

Year: 2016

Runtime: 98 min

Language: English

Director: Kasra Farahani

Thriller

After striking a cyclist and fleeing the scene, two neighbors find their lives unraveling. David is burdened by guilt, while his accomplice, Robert, becomes increasingly unstable and manipulative. As they struggle to cover up the incident, David develops a complicated connection with Vanessa, the victim's sister. Their budding relationship is jeopardized by Robert’s escalating attempts to protect their secret and maintain control of the situation.

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Timeline & Setting – The Good Neighbor (2016)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Good Neighbor (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The story unfolds in a contemporary high school setting, depicting the challenges and dynamics of teenage friendships. The present-day timeframe reflects real-life issues such as trust, trauma, and the consequences of invasive actions among friends.

Location

Harold's House

The movie primarily takes place in a suburban neighborhood where Harold's house is situated. Known for its calm atmosphere, this setting contrasts sharply with Harold's grumpy demeanor and antisocial behavior. The house serves as a canvas for the boys' prank, playing a central role in their exploration of themes like grief and friendship.

🏡 Home 🌳 Neighborhood

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

Main Characters – The Good Neighbor (2016)

Meet the key characters of The Good Neighbor (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Ethan

Ethan is a tech-savvy high school student driven by a desire for excitement, yet he grapples with feelings of resentment stemming from his family's past. His motivations become increasingly complex as the story unfolds, revealing a mix of curiosity and guilt about the consequences of his actions. As the events escalate, Ethan undergoes significant personal growth and introspection.

👦 Teen 💻 Tech-savvy 😠 Resentment

Harold

Harold is portrayed as a grumpy old man who embodies the essence of loneliness and deep-seated grief. His antisocial tendencies mask a profound sorrow over the loss of his wife, which he struggles to cope with. The juxtaposition of his threatening demeanor with his vulnerability makes him a tragic figure whose despair culminates in a heartbreaking ending.

👴 Grumpy 💔 Grief 🚪 Reclusive

Sean

Sean serves as Ethan's loyal friend, providing support during their scheme against Harold. However, his character reveals the strain that secrecy and distrust can place on friendship. His emotional responses to their actions demonstrate the tension between youthful curiosity and moral responsibility, ultimately leading to a rift in his relationship with Ethan.

👦 Friend 👀 Inquisitive 😡 Distrust

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

Major Themes – The Good Neighbor (2016)

Explore the central themes of The Good Neighbor (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🕵️‍♂️ Discovery

The theme of discovery is prevalent as Ethan and Sean explore Harold's home, revealing hidden truths about his life. This theme not only pertains to their physical investigation of the house but also to their emotional journey, as they uncover deeper issues related to grief and regret. Their findings significantly alter their perception of Harold.

💔 Grief

Grief is a central theme illustrated through Harold's shrine dedicated to his late wife, which ultimately leads to the tragic climax. His profound sorrow over his wife's death manifests in his reclusive behavior and distorted perceptions of reality. The boys, initially viewing Harold as a mere target of their prank, confront the harsh realities of his pain.

⚖️ Consequences

The story intricately weaves in the theme of consequences as Ethan and Sean's prank spirals out of control. Their actions directly contribute to tragic events, prompting them to face legal repercussions. This theme compels viewers to consider the moral implications of their choices and the unintended effects those choices can have on others.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:16

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Thrillers about guilt and secrets like The Good Neighbor

Stories where a single bad decision leads to an inescapable burden of guilt.Explore movies like The Good Neighbor where a secret act spirals into a heavy moral burden. These films focus on the psychological tension and paranoia that arise from covering up a mistake, often exploring themes of guilt, consequence, and friendship under pressure.

morally conflictedanxioustenseclaustrophobicguilt-riddenparanoidsomber

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically begins with a pivotal, often impulsive, mistake. The core of the story is not the act itself, but its aftermath: the lies, the growing paranoia, the manipulation between accomplices, and the slow erosion of the characters' morals and peace of mind under the weight of their secret.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together because they share a focus on internal psychological conflict over external action. The primary antagonist is often the characters' own guilt, creating a tense, claustrophobic, and morally complex viewing experience centered on the consequences of a single bad choice.

Movies about voyeurism gone wrong like The Good Neighbor

Narratives where an act of observation spirals into life-altering terror.If you liked the premise of The Good Neighbor, discover similar thrillers where a prank or act of voyeurism has devastating consequences. These movies often start with curiosity but build into tense, morally heavy stories about the dangers of crossing the line from observer to participant.

voyeuristictenseanxiousdreadmorally conflictedsombergrief-strickenunraveling

Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread often follow a 'catastrophe from a small seed' structure. A group, often young, engages in surveillance or a prank that inadvertently reveals or causes a tragedy. The plot then follows their desperate attempts to manage the fallout, which often leads to manipulation, blackmail, and a complete unraveling of their normal lives.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their shared narrative engine: the dangerous shift from passive watching to active involvement in a tragedy. They create a specific kind of tension rooted in the fear of discovery and the moral horror of realizing a simple act has led to irreversible damage.

Unlock the Full Story of The Good Neighbor

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Good Neighbor in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Good Neighbor is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Good Neighbor Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Good Neighbor, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Good Neighbor Summary

The Good Neighbor Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Good Neighbor with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Good Neighbor Timeline

The Good Neighbor Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of The Good Neighbor that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

The Good Neighbor Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Good Neighbor

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about The Good Neighbor: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About The Good Neighbor

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Discover movies like The Good Neighbor that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.