Disturbia Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

House arrest turns into reality TV when a teen starts spying on his neighbor, who *might* be a serial killer, and suddenly summer break is way more exciting (and stabby!).

🍿 Disturbia: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Accident and House Arrest

Kale Brecht is struggling after his father’s death in a car accident, for which he feels responsible. This leads to him punching his Spanish teacher and subsequently being placed under house arrest. Equipped with an ankle monitor, Kale is confined to his home, boredom quickly sets in.

Voyeurism and Suspicion

To alleviate the monotony, Kale begins to spy on his neighbors. He takes particular interest in the new girl next door, Ashley, and a reclusive neighbor named Mr. Turner. As he observes Mr. Turner, Kale notices strange behavior and begins to suspect that he may be a serial killer.

Investigation and Danger

Kale enlists the help of Ashley and his best friend, Ronnie, to investigate Mr. Turner. Their amateur sleuthing uncovers unsettling clues, further fueling their suspicions. However, their investigation puts them directly in the path of danger, as Mr. Turner becomes aware of their surveillance and starts to retaliate.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Kale Brecht (Shia LaBeouf): A troubled teenager under house arrest who becomes convinced his neighbor is a serial killer.
• Mr. Turner (David Morse): The seemingly ordinary neighbor who is suspected of being a serial killer.
• Ashley Carlson (Sarah Roemer): The attractive new girl next door who helps Kale investigate Mr. Turner.
• Ronnie (Aaron Yoo): Kale’s loyal and humorous best friend who assists in the investigation.
• Julie (Carrie-Anne Moss): Kale’s hardworking mother who is initially skeptical of his suspicions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Kale: “This isn’t about you spying on your neighbors, this is about me being locked in my house for the summer.” – Kale expresses his frustration about his house arrest to his mother.
• Ronnie: “Say hi, Ronald.” – Ronnie’s quirky and humorous way to introduce himself ironically to Kale.
• Ashley: “That’s either the creepiest or the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.” – Ashley’s reaction to Kale admitting he has been watching her and is interested in her romantically.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $80,209,692
• Worldwide Gross: $118,114,220

💥 Disturbia Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I’ll admit, when I first saw this in theaters, I was completely hooked. Shia LaBeouf was so good as the angsty teen, and David Morse was legitimately unsettling as the neighbor. The whole ‘is he or isn’t he’ thing kept me guessing. That scene where Ronnie breaks into the garage? I was holding my breath! And honestly, I kind of wanted Kale and Ashley to get together. It’s a great mix of thriller and teen romance, and I still enjoy watching it.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of thrillers and suspense movies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy modern takes on classic stories like Rear Window”
  • “Teenagers and young adults”
  • “Shia LaBeouf fans”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Disturbing themes”
  • “Some language”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “Disturbia may borrow heavily from Rear Window, but it wrings enough suspense from its updated scenario to deliver a teen thriller that’s both timely and unsettling. LaBeouf shines in the lead role.
• IGN: “Disturbia is a well-crafted thriller that makes good use of its PG-13 rating. The suspense is genuine, the characters are likable, and David Morse is suitably creepy as the maybe-killer next door. A solid popcorn flick!
• Roger Ebert: “While clearly influenced by Rear Window, Disturbia establishes its own identity with compelling performances and a genuinely suspenseful plot. It’s a smart update that resonates with a modern audience.

Audience Reactions

The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time; I couldn’t guess what would happen next.: Suspenseful, thrilling, and well-acted, with a relatable teen perspective that elevated the traditional thriller elements.

Overall Consensus: A modern thriller that delivers solid suspense and engaging performances, effectively blending teen drama with elements reminiscent of classic thrillers.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “During filming, David Morse (Mr. Turner) intentionally avoided interacting with Shia LaBeouf (Kale) and the other young actors to maintain his character’s distance and creepiness.”
• “The film is a modern reimagining of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic ‘Rear Window,’ updating the story with contemporary technology and a teenage perspective.”
• “Several reviewers noted the frequent appearance of boom microphones in the shots, indicating possible oversights during production or post-production.”

🖥️ How to Watch Disturbia?

Disturbia is readily available for streaming and purchase. You can find it on platforms like Paramount+ and for rental or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Disturbia, you might like these similar films:

• Rear Window (1954): The original voyeuristic thriller that ‘Disturbia’ is heavily based on.
• Fright Night (1985): Teenager suspects his neighbor is a vampire and enlists help to prove it.
• The Guest (2014): A seemingly charming stranger is not who he seems.

🛒 Disturbia Related Products

• Rear Window (Alfred Hitchcock Collection) [Blu-ray]: Experience the original voyeuristic thriller that inspired Disturbia. A must-have for any film buff!
• Funko Pop! Movies: Psycho – Norman Bates: Add a touch of classic thriller to your collection! Norman Bates, a film icon, stands approximately 3 3/4 inches tall and is packaged in a window display box
• Binoculars 12×42 for Adults with BAK4 Prism FMC Lens: High powered binoculars with 12x magnification and a 42mm objective lens delivering clear images in low light conditions, great for surveillance.
• Disturbia Movie Poster: Decorate your room with the official Disturbia movie poster. A classic addition for any fan of suspenseful thrillers.

🎧 Soundtrack

Disturbia features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Don’t Make Me Wait” – performed by This World Fair
• “Because I Got High” – performed by Afroman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

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If you’re a fan of Disturbia and want to see another horror movie get the ‘Everything Wrong With’ treatment, this video is a great choice. CinemaSins takes on ‘The Strangers’, a movie with masks, scares, and plenty of sins to uncover.

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