Next Door to the Velinsky's (2011) User Reviews

Creepy .... thrilling ......and truly terrifying

[hollyrussell7799 · 7/10 · 13 February 2012]

Excellent movie. One of the few greats I've seen coming out of Australia. Horrible subject matter but once you adapt the mindset of " This is life. This happens" It is really a beautifully told but very tragic story. Ruby Taylor (Chloe Traicos) - a child abuse victim chooses to run away from her past and forget everything that happened. But her childhood sweetheart James ( Matt Doran) unexpectedly comes into her world forcing her to remember what she's chosen to deny and forget. This film takes disturbing memories to a new extreme - But at the same time what viewers expect to happen doesn't. There are many unpredictable thrills - not to mention the final twist which you really don't see coming. Am looking forward to this getting a cinema release. Wouldn't mind seeing it again

Rekindled childhood friendship awakens repressed memories of stolen innocence

[Chase_Witherspoon · 5/10 · 2 March 2024]

Small scale Australian drama concerning telemarketer Ruby (co-writer Traicos) abused as a child being shown how to confront her past by former childhood friend James (Doran). Ultra low budget psychological drama is more like a telemovie in scale and production values, but displays plenty of emotional depth as the pair rekindle their affection amid Ruby's ongoing struggle to reconcile her torrid past.

James has his own demons with which to contend, and when she's not lost in a fantasy world talking to invisible friends, Ruby is ruffling feathers at the local business where a kindly Korean businessman has taken her under his wing (much to the chagrin of his niece who views her colleague's behaviour as detrimental to business growth).

Lack of lighting and shadowy cinematography is sometimes an unwelcome distraction and the makeup applied to Traicos is unusual, but technical issues aside, the story is coherent with a watchable, offbeat performance from Traicos.

Not a bad piece at all

[jordan_beacham · 7/10 · 15 April 2013]

I really wasn't expecting to like this film. Australian films are not really my thing but this really did keep me interested from the minute it starts. Some parts are confusing - and you need to think about them but on the whole I was pleasantly surprised. Chloe Traicos is magical playing the alcoholic pole dancing abuse victim. Matt Doran - who many may remember as The Matrix Mouse is also brilliant as the male lead. Good performances all round on the whole. But why I liked the film is that it deals closely with the serious issue of child abuse and abuse victims. Parts are sinister. Parts are absolute look away moments but the strong message is there.

Wow!

[pamelalatma · 10/10 · 26 October 2010]

This movie blew me away. I was invited to the premier by a friend of a friend. Not usually a movie person and especially not a fan of independent films so I was kind of forced into going. But this film seriously had me engrossed from the minute I sat down. The quality of shooting was exquisite, the acting was superb and the storyline was one where you didn't look away for a second. At every point there is a new revelation in the story that you didn't see coming. And at the end the biggest twist of all that literally leaves you breathless. I hope these young film makers find a buyer soon. This deserves to be another " Paranormal Activity"

I would definitely watch this film again and I recommend it to everyone!

An interesting and riveting film...worth a look

[elimination1953 · 8/10 · 26 October 2010]

I have seen a few low budget and independent films before and all have failed to keep me interested for more then twenty minutes. I have become numb to the constant 'outback heartbreaking tear jerker' with tag lines like 'a truly heart pounding drama'. So you can imagine what my expectations were as I was sitting in my seat waiting for 'Next door to the Velinskys' to begin screening. But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. Within the first ten minutes we were introduced to Ruby Taylor, a very intriguing woman with a very dark past. The film dives into the troubled life of Ruby played by actress Chloe Traicos. Ruby represses horrific and traumatizing memories from her childhood, and is constantly drinking and partying herself numb. The film deals with a very taboo subject and handles it with care, and by the end of the movie you a presented with a shocking realization about the company Ruby keeps. Rubys childhood friend James (played by actor Matt Doran) is a character you find yourself rooting for as he struggles to help her move past her haunting memories. The stand out character for me was Rubys boss Matthew Kai, played by actor Rudy Yap. You believe Matthew to be an over caring boss with a simple crush on Ruby, but soon realize there is a more heart warming and loving connection between the two. Much like a protective uncle. The film is slightly slow in pace but it works for such a dark and intense storyline. The supporting characters such as Rubys work colleagues are highly enjoyable and provide a good comedic release just when you feel the movie is becoming too intense. All up, the film is highly enjoyable, beautifully written and definitely worth a watch.

excellent Indy movie from talented producer/writer/actor!!

[francesca-stanton · 8/10 · 6 November 2010]

I saw this movie in Australia and was really impressed. The movie was polished and professional, albeit made on a shoestring budget. The producer Chloe Traicos was also the writer and the main lead actor and as such is a very talented person. Its great to see a strong successful female!! The movie touches on sensitive issues and was handled well, in a not too heavy manner, with comedic moments as well. Possibly if the movie brings up issues that some audience members find confronting they could be directed somewhere for follow up. Its not a scary thriller but a thinking person's movie with twists throughout. The cast was strong,script interesting and it kept me involved right to the end. Ruby Taylor, the main character, works as a sales rep in a company and seems to be getting undeserved preferential treatment. Gradually during the course of the movie, the audience finds out the reason why and everything becomes clear with Ah Ha!! All in all an excellent movie from a great up and coming talent.

A Clever and thought provoking film

[cynthiaraff · 9/10 · 15 November 2010]

I saw this film at its premier and was really amazed. When I heard the budget it had been made on I expected to see something cheap but what I saw really blew me away. It was exquisitely shot, beautifully acted, with a very clever story line.

Chloe Traicos is brilliant in the female lead. I haven't seen Chloe in anything before and as far as I know she is relatively unknown but she gives a strong performance as Ruby the drunken slutty ex pole dancer. The acting is in fact good all round. Matt Doran is outstanding as James, Rudi Yap is brilliant as Matthew . And even the actors playing the smaller comic roles are hilariously good ( especially Oriana Panozzo who plays the hypochondriac Deirdre) And Catherine Jermanus is very good in the small but significant role of Jess Velinsky

But Traicos was the one I found made the strongest impression on me. It wasn't just her acting - she has something very unique about her. A very different kind of beauty that sets her apart from the crowd. I expect to hear more about her very soon.

As for the story it is brilliantly crafted with a twist you really don't see coming until the end. I don't want to give away anything yet but the movie literally leaves you sitting there just thinking " Wow" It's one of those movies you need to re watch to be sure to pick up everything.

Well done to the team and everyone who was involved. This little independent flick will definitely go places

Excellent Movie!!!!

[taralee92 · 16 May 2010]

Saw this movie at it's Cannes premier and it totally wowed me. Done on a miniscule budget it's shot beautifully. A very strong story with twists and turns at every corner that just leaves you breathless.

It follows the story of James a young ex journalist who for some reason is working for a Korean cleaning company. Here he meets the mysterious Ruby - a girl from his past who has lost her memory in a car accident. James has to help her remember vital facts from her past but in doing so he's forced into going with her on this dark and emotional journey

The story is incredibly engrossing and one of those ones that makes you think about it for a while afterwards. Great performances by Matt Doran, Chloe Traicos, Rudi Yap and young Josh Griffin

A Re Watch for sure

Excellent thrilling and horrifying story

[mitchku22 · 9/10 · 8 February 2012]

Absolutely loved this film which kept me riveted to the screen the whole way through. Chloe Traicos is mesmerizing as the drugged out ex pole dancer Rubi Taylor. And her co'star Matt Doran is equally radiant as James - her childhood friend who attempts to save her. Personally I would like to see more independent films like this. A good plot, beautifully shot, and well acted. The story is about child abuse victim Rubi Taylor who unable to deal with her past has forged a new identity and become a pole dancer. When she is recognized by James - he together with Matthew ( Brilliantly played by Rudi Yap) - another significant person from Rubi's past - work together to help her recall the past trauma. But this is unlike most psychological thrillers in that the secrets that unravel throughout the film will shock and horrify you. Traicos is stunning in this role. Both sexy and elusive. I think we'll be seeing a lot more from her in the future.

Good Psychological Thriller!

[arichardsmbe · 17 June 2010]

Next Door to the Velinskys This is one of these riveting films that you have to watch at least twice. " Next Door to the Velinsky's" is a psychological thriller like no other. In the same mould as "Memento" you're constantly wondering what's going to be discovered next. James ( Matt Doran) suddenly finds himself face to face with a ghost from his past Ruby ( Chloe Traicos) A girl who has turned to a life of prostitution and alcohol with no recollection of who James is. James is determined that she remember their past . He spends time with her using anything he can that will trigger a memory. In doing so the two of them find themselves facing a hideous reality they will struggle to come to terms with.

Review by Angus Richards – Make Believe Entertainment.

Great movie great story

[avi-katz · 8/10 · 6 December 2012]

This is an example of one of those movies with no celebrities in it that is so good you just can't stop watching it. The best performance is most definitely Rudi Yap who plays the sympathetic Korean boss. Matt Doran is also excellent and Chloe Traicos is quite luminescent in the role of the disturbed Ruby. Traicos has a rare exotic beauty that comes across brilliantly on film and her performance is gut wrenchingly real. As is Doran's. Haven't seen either of these in much but I expect we'll be seeing more of both of them soon. On the whole its an all round great film. The film is shot in Australia although it really could be set anywhere. I think its something everyone will enjoy - although enjoy isn't quite the right word for it…… given the subject matter is somewhat disturbing. But a great movie: Great directing, script and performances all round.

Best Independent Film Of the Year

[robbiebburns · 9/10 · 21 October 2013]

Can't stop thinking about this amazing movie. Am itching for it to be out on DVD. Chloe Traicos is the most stunningly beautiful actress and her performance is totally wow. Worth watching the film just for her. I had my own personal reasons for liking this film - being someone who is an abuse survivor myself. I think this film tackles the subject of child abuse in an incredibly sensitive but also confrontational way. Matt Doran is fantastic as the male lead and he gives a gut wrenching performance of an abuse victim. This film made me want to look away in parts and made me not want to watch further - but only because the story line was so incredibly strong and moving. Brilliant movie dealing with a difficult subject. I recommend it to everyone

Amaaaaziiing Film

[joshoverton71 · 9/10 · 10 September 2014]

Love love LOVED this movie. Just a beautiful and touching story. While it has been advertised as a psychological thriller - ( and it is that to a certain extent) but it is also a really touching love story and the story of an abuse victim finding herself again. While I utterly disliked the Ruby character at first I found that she does "grow" on you.This could also be Traicos' performance which is incredibly moving. Matt Doran who plays the male lead is fantastic in the role. And while at first I wanted to kill Ruby by half way through the movie I wanted everything to work out which ( And don't read this if you don't want it to be spoiled) but fortunately it does. But it does this realistically not in a silly Holllywood Happy Ending type of way. Am trying to see if its out on DVD yet but doesn't seem to be. Think I might add to my collection. Great movie. Highly recommend

Spellbinding gripping film

[rickoldfield999 · 8/10 · 21 February 2012]

This movie Should go far.,,,,, For a little independent its pretty good. Anyone who has had to deal with a history of abuse will find this film incredibly accurate in the way its characters develop. It's also incredibly disturbing in the secrets that are uncovered and by the end you're sitting there reeling - Whoa was that real? But its a good movie. A solid good movie. Chloe Traicos is stunning in the role of the disturbed drunken Ruby. And Matt Doran is brilliant as James her savior. The film might be confusing at first with the massive jump from children playing to sexy pole dancers in a club but .... hang in there. It all makes sense. Although its one of those movies you do need to watch again as the little twists are so clever you'll need to go back to see what you missed the first time. Strongly recommend.

Great movie!

[nikwyatt77 · 8/10 · 12 June 2012]

Anybody know when this is coming out at the cinemas? I saw it about a year ago and it was a pretty amazing film. Very intriguing storyline that cleverly depicts the long term traumatic effects child abuse and rape can have on a child in adult life. Chloe Traicos is brilliant and gorgeous in the role of the damaged Ruby Taylor. Matt Doran also gives a terrific performance as James the leading male character. And the kids who play the younger versions are also very convincing ( not to mention well cast) There are a lot of twists in this film which makes me want to watch it again but on the whole it is very clever. Beautifully crafted and well worth watching.

my thoughts and some balance

[moviegirl-894-822923 · 10 November 2010]

Like a lot of people putting a review here, I was invited to attend this premiere as i know someone involved in the film. As it turned out, I knew a few people both cast and crew when I got there, so when I noticed a few reviews on line I thought I would talk about it too.

NEXT DOOR TO THE VELINSKYS is not a bad film, especially considering it was made on shoestring budget, really quite good.

I thought the film looked good (now here is where I use the previous page to get names!). I thought Chris McHardy (DOP) did a great job shooting it with the director, Darren K Hawkins. The editor JD Cohen didn't do a bad job with the cut and pace either. So the team that created the look and feel did a good enough job.

The acting for the most part was good too.

I was surprised to see Matt Doran in this film, but he was by far and away the best actor in this. While I won't give anything away, I was crying when he revealed to the lead female the past he was keeping secret. The character of JAMES he played was well acted and probably well directed by Hawkins.

Rudy Yap, Kathy Luu, Carlos Sivalingam (had to check spelling there), Oriana Panozzo were good too. Rudy played the character of MATTHEW and became a real favourite of mine by the end of the film. Kathy was solid as TRACEY as was Carlos. Oriana almost stole every scene she was in. her character of DIEDRE was brilliant. When I checked up her history on IMDb, its no shock as to why she is so good.

The kid actors, playing the younger parts of the male and female lead were solid. I think Teneale must have had her sister or mum do the first review. Teneale wasn't in the film that much to make her the link in the film that the first review made her out to be. But she was VERY good in the parts she was in, as was Hugo, the boy that was opposite her.

The only inconsistent part was the lead female, Ruby, played by Chloe Traicos.

She was good in parts, but in other parts it was painful to watch.

I know from the premiere and reading the credits list on IMDb that she wrote the film and she produced the film, but I am not convinced she is lead actor material, not for a film like VELINSKYs. A partially romantic type lead, huge layers, she got part way there, but sometimes she just looked awkward and it seemed that at times she stumbled over her own dialog. Again, she had some good moments. Her scene with Doran after the pub, where she is remembering while Doran is in the kitchen was good, as was another scene with Doran when they were reading the poem (sorry, can't remember what poem it was but i remember they were reading poetry). The scene where her friend Jess is leaving her was quite good too. But apart from those, I thought her acting was inconsistent.

Not sure if the director didn't have the balls to not cast her or tell her the part was too much (the other acting was good, so I don't think Hawkins is a poor director). Again, I checked the IMDb listing on Hawkins (ok, I stalked him online too to check him out) and while he is listed as co-directing a feature and he has a video production as director, VELINSKYS is his first feature film as director. As my cousin says, maybe he just had to "grab his ankles and take the pain", but if it was me, I wouldn't have allowed Traicos to play the lead role. But maybe he had no choice.

Final comments - I thought the film was good, especially for a low budget film. It didn't look low budget, so that makes it easy to watch. The acting and story is good for the most part, so hopefully it doesn't suffer the same fate as a lot of low budget independent films in not getting recognition or exposure.