MOVIE REVIEW – The Boy Next Door shows little originality of its own

Noah Sandborn (Ryan Guzman) gets too close with high school teacher Claire Peterson (Jennifer Lopez) in the new movie The Boy Next Door. Photo courtesy Universal Pictures
Noah Sandborn (Ryan Guzman) gets too close with high school teacher Claire Peterson (Jennifer Lopez) in the new movie The Boy Next Door.
Photo courtesy Universal Pictures

By Jalyn Sneed/reporter

Jennifer Lopez’s latest thriller may remind some viewers of the 1987 film Fatal Attraction with Michael Douglas and Glenn Close.

While the typical storyline of an obsessive lover after a “harmless” one-night stand is told, The Boy Next Door does have some originality by making the psychotic lover the man instead of the woman.

Lopez plays high school teacher Claire Peterson, who is separating from her husband, Garrett (John Corbett). This being an emotional time for Claire, her close friend and principal Vicky (Kristin Chenoweth) even takes the time to try to get her to date other men to help her prepare to move forward.

However, once the young and handsome Noah Sandborn (Ryan Guzman) moves in next door with his uncle, Claire’s life takes a major turn.

As the two become closer, what may seem like an innocent situation becomes a dangerous game of cat and mouse.

Claire regrets her steamy night with Noah, but Noah is just getting started.

As most viewers watch the film, they’re sure to discover that several storylines such as this have been on the big screen before. With this situation, it wouldn’t be a shock if the movie became a bore within the first 20 minutes.

But viewers who are new to the story of lust, seduction and obsession may hold their breath, wondering what Noah’s next scheme may be to make Claire’s life a nightmare.

Viewers looking for something new and inventive are probably better off watching Divergent.