Devoted to the Drama: A Romance Writer’s Ritual
I just got a pass to preview some upcoming shows, and I’m absolutely thrilled to start writing reviews. You’ll be able to get your fix on Blush and Bone right here on the site.
Full transparency: I’ll soon be looking for a writing partner in the romance game. So if you’re as obsessed with love stories as I am, stay tuned.
Nothing makes me feel more alive, more grounded, or more gratified than watching highly dramatic, emotionally charged romance movies. I love curling up in bed or on the couch and diving into stories where people break up to make up, take down their stalker, find true love, start over in a small town, or fall into Christian love — you name it. If it’s dramatic and romantic, I’m in.
I even got my kids hooked early. When my son was struggling with language development, I had him sit with me and watch movies. Looking back, I wish I’d chosen General Hospital over all those creepy neighbor thrillers — because now he occasionally sounds like “that guy.” It’s funny… but also, you know. I have fond memories of my daughter Calais and I in her little hospital bed (me on the side) watching shows. I can still hear her shaky little voice from behind her mask saying, ” oh no, he’s got a gun!” I’m sure a four year old didn’t need to see that, but she was entertained and that’s what it was about. More often than not, there is a happy ending in sight.
These movies are predictable, and that’s exactly why they work. It’s the classic “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Like going to McDonald’s — you know the fries will hit every time. It’s the reason I would never boycott Hulu or Lifetime, they are just too awesome.
I don’t watch as many movies as I used to, but I’m making a vow: two romance films a week, and a review for each. I recently scored an amazing deal on an Amazon television for $99 (seriously, check it out while it lasts), and it inspired me to dive back in. First up: The Neighbor (2017). I wrote a review about it — and trust me, you’ll want to decide for yourself whether neighbor “Mike” is the kind of guy you’d want living next door.
So, let’s talk about The Neighbor (2017). It’s the kind of movie that proves one universal truth: if your neighbor knows more about your life than your best friend does, you’re in danger. Period.
Mike Fichtner plays the world’s least subtle widower, living next door to a shiny new couple. At first, he’s just your average lonely guy — watering the lawn, saying hi too much — and then boom, suddenly he’s in their kitchen, in their business, and maybe in their nightmares. Imagine Ned Flanders if he swapped “hi-diddly-ho” for ominous stares and bad timing.
The Funny-but-Creepy Stuff:
- That backyard barbecue. One minute it’s burgers and beers, the next it’s “so how stable is your marriage?” Sir, pass the ketchup and calm down.
- His relentless “neighborly visits.” At this point, he’s less neighbor and more unpaid life coach nobody asked for.
- Everyone around just shrugs like, “Yeah, that’s Bob. He’s weird.” Ma’am, Bob is plotting.
Pros:
- Mike Fichtner is a masterclass in resting-creep-face. Half the tension is just him existing on screen.
- The whole “suburban nightmare” aesthetic is strong — it looks like a Pottery Barn catalog but with secrets.
- Predictable, yes. But it’s the cinematic version of comfort junk food. Sometimes you want steak, sometimes you want mac and cheese from a box.
Cons:
- The middle act drags — we didn’t need that many awkward silences.
- The supporting cast could’ve been replaced by mannequins in Banana Republic clothes.
- The climax? More like a drizzle than a storm. I wanted fireworks; I got damp sparklers.
Final Take:
This isn’t a genre-bending thriller. It’s not even trying to be. The Neighbor is for people (me) who secretly love Lifetime thrillers and don’t care that they all follow the same script. Creepy, predictable, and easy to swallow — like watching bad reality TV, you know it’s trashy but you can’t look away.
If You Like This, Watch That:
- The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992) — still the gold standard of “helpful stranger ruins your life.”
- Disturbia (2007) — actual suspense, plus teenage nosiness.
- The Watcher (Netflix, 2022) — because one weird neighbor is never enough.
- The Rental (2020) — nosy meets Airbnb horror, and it does not end well.
- Leave the World Behind (2023) — paranoia, neighbors, and the sense that everyone knows more than they’re telling.
- The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (2022) — for when you want your neighbor-creep fix with a wink and some wine.
- Fresh from 2024/2025: Apartment 7A (2024) — psychological thriller in the Rosemary’s Baby universe, AKA “don’t trust your neighbors, ever.”
- Also 2025’s The Deliverance (Lee Daniels) — not exactly suburban snooping, but definitely brings that unnerving, who’s-watching-you energy.
Bottom line: The Neighbor is like reheated thriller leftovers — a little bland, a little mushy, but oddly satisfying at 11 p.m. when you just need something familiar, creepy, and snackable.
I love romance from all around the world, and urban movies also– stay tuned.
