Lakeview Terrace Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cop hates his new neighbors because they have different skin tones, and California wildfires make everything more dramatic.

🍿 Lakeview Terrace: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Introduction of Chris and Lisa

Chris and Lisa Mattson, an interracial couple, move into their dream home in Lakeview Terrace, a seemingly peaceful suburban neighborhood in California. They are excited to start their lives together, unaware of the looming danger next door. Their arrival coincides with a devastating wildfire approaching, foreshadowing the turmoil to come.

Abel’s Discomfort and Initial Actions

Their neighbor, Abel Turner, a widowed LAPD officer and strict father, is immediately hostile towards the couple. His discomfort stems from racial prejudice and personal issues. He begins a campaign of harassment, starting with shining a bright security light into their bedroom window at night and escalating to more intrusive actions like tampering with their air conditioning.

Escalation and Retaliation

As Abel’s harassment intensifies, Chris and Lisa find themselves increasingly isolated and vulnerable. They attempt to reason with Abel, but his behavior only worsens. In retaliation, Chris installs his own security light, further escalating the conflict. The tension between the neighbors reaches a boiling point, revealing the deep-seated racial prejudices at play.

Descent into Chaos

The conflict spirals out of control as Abel’s actions become more dangerous and illegal. He throws a loud party next door, encourages Chris to engage with a stripper and then sends a DVD of the incident to Lisa, and hires an informant to break into the Mattson’s house. Lisa discovers she is pregnant, adding another layer of vulnerability. Their dream home becomes a nightmare.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Abel Turner (Samuel L. Jackson): A widowed LAPD officer and strict father who disapproves of his new interracial neighbors and escalates their conflict into dangerous territory.
• Chris Mattson (Patrick Wilson): A Caucasian man who moves into a new neighborhood with his wife and faces escalating harassment from their neighbor.
• Lisa Mattson (Kerry Washington): An African-American woman married to Chris who finds her new home turning into a nightmare due to racial prejudice and neighborly conflict.
• Celia Turner (Regine Nehy): Abel’s teenage daughter who is caught between her father’s strict rules and her own desires, finding a brief connection with Lisa.
• Javier Villareal (Jay Hernandez): Abel’s police partner, who serves as a contrasting character, highlighting Abel’s increasingly questionable actions.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Abel Turner: “No matter how much rap you listen to, you’re still gonna be white.” – Abel says this to Chris during their initial tense encounter, highlighting his racial prejudice.
• Abel Turner: “See, white men, you think you can take whatever you want.” – Abel expresses his resentment and views on racial dynamics during a heated confrontation at a bar.
• Chris Mattson: “Y’know what, Abel? Fuck you.” – Chris, pushed to his limit, finally stands up to Abel’s constant harassment.
• Abel Turner: “Is that a ‘We Are the World’ ‘fuck you’?” – Abel’s sarcastic response to Chris’s outburst, mocking the idea of racial harmony.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $20,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $39,263,506
• Worldwide Gross: $44,655,002

💥 Lakeview Terrace Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting a thrilling ride, but I left feeling a bit underwhelmed. Samuel L. Jackson is fantastic as the overbearing neighbor, and the initial tension is palpable. But the plot becomes increasingly predictable and the characters, especially Chris and Lisa, felt a bit flat. It had potential, but it just didn’t quite deliver. The ending felt rushed and unsatisfying, leaving me wanting more depth and nuance.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of thriller movies”
  • “Viewers interested in social commentary”
  • “People who appreciate strong performances by Samuel L. Jackson”
  • “Those who enjoy films that explore themes of prejudice and conflict”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Violence”
  • “Racial prejudice”
  • “Sexual content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Lakeview Terrace starts strong with racial tensions and uncomfortable moments, but it devolves into a generic thriller. Samuel L. Jackson is menacing, but the plot becomes predictable, and the ending feels like a cop-out, making it a disappointing watch overall.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While the acting is solid, especially Samuel L. Jackson, the film ultimately fails to deliver on its promise of a thought-provoking thriller, devolving into predictable territory. The heavy-handed metaphors and lack of subtlety detract from the overall impact.
• Metacritic: “Lakeview Terrace explores race and prejudice but struggles to be anything more than a mediocre thriller. Though Jackson delivers a commendable performance, the movie is ultimately forgettable and does not achieve its full potential.

Audience Reactions

Samuel L. Jackson’s performance as the menacing neighbor was captivating and terrifying.: Viewers praised Jackson’s performance, citing his ability to make the character both believable and unsettling.

The movie started strong with racial tensions and uncomfortable encounters.: Many agreed that the beginning of the movie held promise, with intense moments of suspense and intriguing exploration of prejudice.

Overall Consensus: While Samuel L. Jackson’s performance is a highlight, Lakeview Terrace ultimately falls short due to its predictable plot and lack of depth. The movie has moments of suspense, but fails to deliver a truly satisfying thriller experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The plot is loosely based on real-life events that happened in Altadena, California, involving an interracial couple and an African-American Los Angeles Police Officer.”
• “Director Neil LaBute is known for his exploration of dysfunctional relationships and controversial themes, which is evident in the film’s handling of race and prejudice.”

🖥️ How to Watch Lakeview Terrace?

Lakeview Terrace is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. For physical media collectors, the DVD and Blu-ray are also available through online retailers like Amazon and at most major retailers. Streaming options may vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Lakeview Terrace, you might like these similar films:

• Pacific Heights (1990): A couple is terrorized by a malevolent tenant in their new home, similar to the neighbor-from-hell theme.
• Unlawful Entry (1992): A police officer uses his position of power to torment a couple after a seemingly innocent encounter.
• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992): A seemingly helpful nanny infiltrates and wreaks havoc on a family’s life.
• Get Out (2017): Explores racial tensions and the unease of being an outsider in a seemingly welcoming community, through a horror lens.

🛒 Lakeview Terrace Related Products

• Lakeview Terrace (Blu-ray): Experience Lakeview Terrace in high-definition with this Blu-ray edition. Perfect for movie nights and expanding your thriller collection.
• Lakeview Terrace Movie Poster: Officially licensed poster featuring the iconic artwork from Lakeview Terrace. A great addition to any movie fan’s room or home theater.
• Samuel L. Jackson Autographed Photo: A rare and authentic autographed photo of Samuel L. Jackson as Abel Turner in Lakeview Terrace, a unique piece for serious collectors.
• Thriller Movie Collection (DVD Set): A DVD set featuring various thriller movies, including similar films about suspenseful neighborly conflicts.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Shoot Me Down” – performed by Boy Kill Boy

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Patrice O’Neal on Movies 5 – Bad Movies and Actors

Ever wonder what a comedian thinks of *Lakeview Terrace*? Patrice O’Neal throws in his brutally honest opinion in this clip, and it’s hilarious. You might not agree with everything he says, but you’ll definitely be entertained!

Lakeview Terrace gets the Kermode treatment

Want to know if *Lakeview Terrace* is actually any good? Mark Kermode gives his famously insightful take, calling it ‘B-movie material rescued by A-list talent.’ See if you agree with his assessment!

Kerry Washington Talks Movies & Relationships Part 1

Curious about what Kerry Washington thinks of *Lakeview Terrace*? She shares her thoughts on the movie and the characters, offering a cool peek behind the scenes. It really adds a new layer to understanding her performance!

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