A Killer Next Door (2020) User Reviews

So many easily identifiable gaffes

[andrewkl-72138 · 2/10 · 16 January 2021]

I wanted to like this movie. I really did, but I couldn't sit through to the end.

Acting by so many was (in my opinion) sub-par. More importantly, this was supposed to be set in the US, yet the obvious signs it was not were seen by the European license plates on cars and obvious non-US electrical outlets. The Royal Mail carrier didn't lend any US authenticity either.

It's the small details that were overlooked that took away from any credibility this film might have had.

The outside shots of the List Westfield NJ home weren't even CLOSE to the home where the crimes had occurred. Granted, that home has since burned and subsequently was demolished, but surely the director could have found a home more closely resembling the List home, than the Newark NJ style row house he used instead.

I can only hope the producers get ANY return on their investment in this film.

Not what really happened

[bmasteller · 4/10 · 22 February 2021]

I thought this movie would chronicle the history of the crime and what it took to catch John List. The only thing that is true in the movie is that List killed his family. They don't even use John Walsh's name. They use John Wesley. Very sad movie.

The acting was the worst

[tjustme1915 · 2/10 · 29 November 2020]

I have a love of movies but the lead girl was a terrible actress. The boyfriend was worst.

Not sure if she even did an audition. I really wanted to like it because it's based somewhat on a true story.

Save your time and do not watch this snooze fest

[olivewahh · 1/10 · 24 August 2020]

Wow.. I honestly have no idea how I sat through this. It's one of the worst movies I've seen this year.

It's a shame, because it's based on a true story which I've heard about prior to watching this on the My Favourite Murder podcast. The true story is super creepy, and interesting, but this film was the complete opposite.

The acting, script, music.. ugh. It's all so bad! All very low budget, and don't get me wrong there can be some decent low budget films, but this is not one of them.

The best thing about this film is honestly the movie poster, because that actually looks decent.

Very, very bad

[leesimon-26357 · 1/10 · 14 February 2021]

I love serial killer movies. This was not that. At best, a weak plagiarized Rear Window(down to the injured protagonist.) At least Disturbia updated the "stuck at the window" premise. Reasons not to watch:

• Terrible acting,
• Ridiculous dialogue,
• Awful camera work (with weird zooms, shaky at times, out of focus at times,)
• Exposition narration in the form of dialogue (where a person would come onscreen to say a few sentences, then the movie would movie would go on to another scene, with no acknowledgment of who the person was talking to,)
• Bad sets and costume design,
• Terrible facial expressions,
• Weak score/soundtrack,
• Entirely unlikable, dumb characters,
• Zero tension or mystery.

I could go on and on. Anything going on in this movie is extremely bad. I will never watch it again, and I recommend that you not either. If this is playing at a friend's house, go for a walk. Fresh air is better than this atrocity.

Terrible movie

[sgeldean · 1/10 · 22 January 2021]

I am thoroughly disappointed and displeased with this garbage. This is hardly a documentary, much less a movie. These are terrible, unprofessional actors. It tells absolutely nothing of the events that led Mr. John List to murder his family and create a new identity. It tells nothing of his activity during the years following his crimes. The representation of List is so dull, so robotic. Stephanie is a weak character and her dad looks so deadbeat. It does an injustice to the real John List. Its historicity is horrible. This is such a boring excuse. Oh, yes, it certainly does mimic the first Stepfather movie from 1987. Stepfather was actually loosely based on the story of list. However, these terrible scrip writers should have been more original and avoided familiar quotes such as the father was disappointed etc. This whole movie is dull.

Don't. Just don't.

[stacand · 1/10 · 20 January 2021]

I had to create an account just to leave this review. This movie is glorious in that it is the worst movie I've ever seen. The acting is painful. Have you ever wondered what a movie would be like with people who have never acted before? This. I watched the whole thing thinking it would somehow get better. It got progressively worse. I'm sure there are hundreds of versions of the story this movie is loosely based on available online, and I promise you, literally any of them will be better than this one.

So bad I was checking Instagram during the climax.

[justtoofunky · 2/10 · 9 February 2021]

Terrible. Rear Window is my favorite thriller and What Lies Beneath is a close second. Those are solid movies.

This one, however, simply dropped the ball. They could have had so many more suspenseful moments! Also, if you lack appreciation for sacrilegious attributes in a murderer, definitely skip it!

NO DOUBT...

[jreeders518 · 2/10 · 28 January 2021]

The producers of this movie, drove by the unemployment office and picked up some out of work actors. This is bad, very bad.....

May be somewhat accurate, BUT ....

[uwood-73962 · 1/10 · 16 February 2021]

The movie may have had an historically accurate base, but 1 star because of where they took this film. Yes this review has spoilers because most of us know the true story of John List, but also because they left out the most important parts. Perhaps they felt the back story had been done before? Perhaps they didn't feel it was an integral part of the film? At least give some insight to the backstory. It would have been much better. His wife was Helen, his daughter was Patricia; His younger son was Frederick. He also shot and killed his mother, Alma. Afterwards, he went and watched his oldest son, John Jr., play soccer. He then drove him home and shot him repeatedly because he seemed to be the only one who tried to defend himself; not cowardly shot by surprise attack. It took about a month for them to be found because of the actions List took before and after the murders. This part of the story is much more interesting and should have at least been touched on. But a broken foot seemed much more interesting?? I wasted almost 2 hours of my life.

Oh my god, how horrible can acting get.

[mm-75687 · 15 February 2021]

Besides being a complete derivative copy of The Stepfather, which is very good, this is just pure trash. I am absolutely astonished that any movie company would produce this garbage. Where did they find these actors? I was embarrassed for them while I watched this atrocious garbage.

Solid

[terryowen-50080 · 8/10 · 28 July 2020]

Super low budget but a solid thriller that does exactly what it says on the tin. Nothing new or special (a Disturbia rip off which in itself was a rip off of Rear Window) but it is well made despite it's obvious budget limitations and has genuine suspenseful moments.

Low budget update of Rear Window

[chrissyhyde · 6/10 · 22 July 2020]

Not a bad little knock off of the Hitchcock film. Not the most original but for the most part well executed and the lead girl and actor who plays Bob Clark is like a demented Mister Rogers!

No longer servants of God

[nogodnomasters · 3/10 · 2 August 2020]

John List (William Meredith ) murders his family in the opening scene followed by Steph (Harriet Rees ) badly spraining her ankle. 18 years later a man moves in next door to Steph on crutches who looks and acts John List.

No mystery here. They created some drama for the film. Acting was not there. Would have made a great 23 minute TV show.

Guide: F-word. No sex or nudity.

Billy Jack? Is that you?

[mtbof · 3/10 · 19 January 2021]

The last time I saw acting this bad was in 1971 while watching the now cult classic, BILLY JACK. Ironically, this crime by John List also took place in 1971. Was this film directed in such a manner to pay homage to this era?

Bad movie

[emysoto · 1/10 · 1 January 2021]

This movie sucks worse acting I've ever seen what is with the slow motion fighting I'd rather be at my uncles funeral again than watch this BULLCRAP

Awlful movie

[deborahgosser · 1/10 · 3 January 2021]

Not the real story....no ballet girl...delores called America's most wanted...I grew up near Westfield and I know the whole story......what a waste film

HORRENDOUS BRITISH FILM PRETENDING TO BE AN AMERICAN FILM

[lukem-52760 · 1/10 · 16 March 2021]

The setting is obviously the UK & it's filmed like an episode of Brookside lol & the whole cast sound over the top American but everything around them is all British????? Ridiculously low-budget & Ridiculously the UK & that takes me right out of the trash

So bad, it might actually be the next The Room! SO worth the investment in time.

[mchesser-06212 · 1/10 · 19 December 2020]

The acting is simply awful, in the scene between the dad and boyfriend I actually think they were filmed at separate times and locations. Hilarious and they should have spent some of the production budget to hire a hair and makeup crew - I mean check out the eyebrows on Bob Clark's wife.

This may very well contend for the worst movie ever - don't miss your opportunity to see it early and often!

Not even close

[jwwag · 2/10 · 4 January 2021]

If you know the John List story you will hate this. Not a good representation of the true story. Why skip 18 years?

Nothing special

[asmash-18780 · 1/10 · 2 November 2020]

The worst movie ever, no action scenes, very low budget , nothing special actually

Reminded me of The Stepfather

[dannycleaver · 6/10 · 22 July 2020]

William Meredith isn't as good as Terry O'Quinn but he does bring a menace to the role of a Bible bashing family killer which is pretty effective. There are some clunky moments but there are also some gripping parts such as the family murder which opens the movie and a tense sequence with the lead's boyfriend breaking into the villain's house. Slightly above average overall.

If I could give it zero stars I would.

[queenrobinsnest-25324 · 1/10 · 5 September 2020]

This film MAY have been slightly decent if they changed all the actors (maybe with the exception of John himself and his new wife), it's possibly the worst acted movie ever, even when the girl breaks her ankle at the beginning she just gracefully falls to the floor and let's out a little yelp as if she's just frustrated that she fell. I can tell you when I broke my ankle I wasn't laying there like a mouse saying 'oopsie'. I can't even start to go into how bad of an actor the dad is.

Oh a mass murderer is attacking my friend I'll just stand here and he will calmly tell me to go call the police. I signed up to an account, just to say how bad the acting in this film is.

Boring and predictable...

[jasonmarktownsend · 2/10 · 18 October 2020]

Combined with a poorly written script executed with the same level of acting. Not worth the bother.

Ruined my day:Low budget Movie

[nengifelicia · 1/10 · 24 October 2020]

This is the most annoying,stupid,wack,movie I've ever seen in my life.The actors where horrible, especially the Dad,he kept staring at the camera,like who does that...Pls,do not waste your time on this movie,it will ruin your day...