Rochelle Sellers was a savvy detective whose career went sour during a failed stakeout at a motel. After she lost her job, she turned states evidence against her husband, a powerful captain in the police force. As the film's action begins, Rochelle is preparing for trial as the star witness while caring for her father who suffers from dementia.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Rochelle jumps into an amorous relationship with her new neighbor, a giant redwood tree of a man named Jesse. While the film did not make it clear exactly what transpired, Rochelle discovers that Jesse has hacked into her computer system. She then learns that he is not the man he claims to be.
"Stranger Next Door" tried the impossible in juggling (a) a harlequin romance, (b) a "Friday the 13th" horror film, and (c) a crime thriller with a corrupt cop about to sand trial. The film could not do justice to all three components. The romance of Rochelle and Jesse was a whirlwind affair. We never learn much about the identity of Jesse, other than that he had a connection to Blackwater secret ops. And it was puzzling why the FBI specialist was unable to ferret out Jesse's background.
The best part of the film was the touching relationship between Rochelle and her dad. Indeed, the most memorable character was the ol' Sarge, who could always be counted on for a good war story and for showing up on cue in his daughter's greatest time of need.
Suddenly and unexpectedly, Rochelle jumps into an amorous relationship with her new neighbor, a giant redwood tree of a man named Jesse. While the film did not make it clear exactly what transpired, Rochelle discovers that Jesse has hacked into her computer system. She then learns that he is not the man he claims to be.
"Stranger Next Door" tried the impossible in juggling (a) a harlequin romance, (b) a "Friday the 13th" horror film, and (c) a crime thriller with a corrupt cop about to sand trial. The film could not do justice to all three components. The romance of Rochelle and Jesse was a whirlwind affair. We never learn much about the identity of Jesse, other than that he had a connection to Blackwater secret ops. And it was puzzling why the FBI specialist was unable to ferret out Jesse's background.
The best part of the film was the touching relationship between Rochelle and her dad. Indeed, the most memorable character was the ol' Sarge, who could always be counted on for a good war story and for showing up on cue in his daughter's greatest time of need.
