Lakeview Terrace

"What Could Be Safer Than Living Next to a Cop?"

2008 1h 50m EN

😐

6.0

MID

🥫

44%

ROTTEN

😬

METACRITIC

⭐

6.2

IMDB

★6.0TMDB · 1,193🥫44%Rotten Tomatoes●47Metacritic★6.2IMDB · 60,039

DramaCrimeThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

A young interracial couple has just moved into their California dream home when they become the target of their next-door neighbor, who disapproves of their relationship. A tightly wound LAPD officer has appointed himself the watchdog of the neighborhood. His nightly foot patrols and overly watchful eyes bring comfort to some, but he becomes increasingly aggressive to the newlyweds. These persistent intrusions into their lives cause the couple to fight back.

“What Could Be Safer Than Living Next to a Cop?”

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Cast

Samuel L. Jackson
Abel Turner
Patrick Wilson
Chris Mattson
Kerry Washington
Lisa Mattson
Ron Glass
Harold Perreau
Justin Chambers
Donnie Eaton
Jay Hernandez
Javier Villareal
Regine Nehy
Celia Turner
Jaishon Fisher
Marcus Turner

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Neil LaBute
Writers: David Loughery, Howard Korder, David Loughery
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 7

ERA

Did you know

Released 18 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Neil LaBute, shot by Rogier Stoffers. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Jeff Danna. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 7

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Joel Plotch shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 7

CAST

Did you know

Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 7

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "What Could Be Safer Than Living Next to a Cop?".

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 7

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0947802 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Neil LaBute directs. Rogier Stoffers behind the camera. Jeff Danna scores. Joel Plotch cuts. Profitable at the box office. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 18 years ago.
2Directed by Neil LaBute, shot by Rogier Stoffers. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Jeff Danna. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Joel Plotch shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick Wilson and Kerry Washington carry the top of the cast.
6Marketing tagline: "What Could Be Safer Than Living Next to a Cop?".
7IMDB entry: tt0947802 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
8Classified under 10 themes, including "pregnancy", "harassment", "vandalism", "house party".

The technical file

Cinematography: Rogier Stoffers
Original score: Jeff Danna
Editing: Joel Plotch
Production design: Bruton Jones
Costume design: Lynette Meyer
Makeup / hair: Allan A. Apone
VFX supervisor: Rocco Passionino
Sound: Gary C. Bourgeois
Stunt coordinator: Ben Hernandez Bray
Runtime: 110 min · 1h 50m
Status: Released
Budget: $20,000,000
Box office: $27,640,028
Return: 138% of budget
Original language: EN
Certification (US): PG-13
IMDB: Lakeview Terrace (2008)
Rotten Tomatoes: 44% 🥫 Rotten
Metacritic: 47/100
IMDB rating: 6.2/10 · 60,039 votes
MPAA: PG-13

Awards

1 nomination total

Also by

Neil LaBute

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

RalphRahal2025-01-09
★ 6/10
Lakeview Terrace is a tense, psychological thriller that stands out because of Samuel L. Jackson's powerful performance. He plays Abel Turner, a character so commanding and relentless that his presence carries the entire movie. Jackson's ability to make you both fear and understand Abel is what makes this film so gripping. The movie builds its suspense slowly, creating a tense and uneasy atmosphere that keeps you on edge throughout. The plot tackles some heavy themes, particularly around race and power dynamics, which might feel a bit heavy-handed at times. While the racial aspect of the story may not sit well with everyone, it undeniably fuels the conflict and drives the tension between the characters. The film isn't subtle in how it approaches these themes, but that bluntness works in its favor, keeping the stakes high and the audience engaged. The third act might divide viewers, but it ties the story together in a way that feels fitting for the characters, especially Abel. While some might argue it leans into thriller clichés, it also delivers closure that matches the relentless nature of the movie's lead. Overall, Lakeview Terrace is a solid watch if you're in the mood for a psychological thriller with strong performances and a story that isn't afraid to be provocative. It's not perfect, but it's well worth your time.

Production companies