Neighborhood Watch Director Duncan Skiles Talks Odd Couples, Jack Quaid’s Breakout, and Future Plans

Director Duncan Skiles on mental health themes in ‘Neighborhood Watch’.

Neighborhood Watch is now in theaters and avaialble on digital platforms. Directed by Duncan Skiles (The Clovehitch Killer), the film stars Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead), Jack Quaid (The Boys), and Malin Akerman (Watchmen) in a gripping suburban mystery about trust, trauma, and unlikely alliances.

At its core, Neighborhood Watch follows Simon (Quaid), a young man battling mental illness who becomes convinced he’s witnessed a kidnapping. When the authorities brush him off, Simon teams up with Ed (Morgan), a gruff, retired security guard with his own baggage. As the two dive into the case, they uncover more than just a possible crime — they confront the emotional wounds they’ve buried.

I spoke with Skiles ahead of the release to dive into what drew him to the film and how he brought the story’s emotional complexity to life.

“The script by Sean Farley just hooked me,” Skiles said. “I’m a sucker for movies about odd couples — Sideways was one of my favorites. I really wanted to do something that had that emotional payoff, where two very different characters go through something and come out changed.” That Odd Couple energy is front and center with Quaid and Morgan, whose chemistry brings unexpected heart to a dark and twisty premise.

Skiles praised both actors for their commitment and instincts in Neighborhood Watch.

“I trusted them to bring it,” he said. “Jack’s role is tough — he has to be vulnerable, but also push back and have fun. And Jeffrey’s character starts off as this gruff, no-filter kind of guy. But once Jack started poking fun at him, it really clicked. That dynamic made the relationship feel real.”

Quaid, known for his roles in The Boys and Scream, impressed Skiles with his range.

“He loves doing a lot of takes and exploring different shades of a moment,” Skiles said. “He’s got so much left to show people. I think this role will surprise a lot of folks.”

The film’s tone — equal parts thriller and emotional drama — also helped shape its unique aesthetic. Shot by Luke McCoubrey, who previously collaborated with Skiles on The Clovehitch Killer, Neighborhood Watch leans into a grounded, naturalistic visual style with occasional stylized flourishes to reflect Simon’s inner world.

“We looked at films like The Kid Detective and the work of Alexander Payne,” Skiles explained. “When Simon’s going through an episode, we went wide-angle, really close to Jack. But otherwise, it’s about being subtle — letting the characters shine.”

One of Skiles’ favorite discoveries during editing came from a scene he nearly cut.

“There’s this eye contact scene between Simon and Ed — very character-driven,” he said. “I thought it slowed things down. But the writer and producer convinced me to put it back, and at a test screening, it killed. I realized — this is why I wanted to make the movie. It’s a bit of a hangout film at heart.”

Looking ahead, Skiles teased a possible future for Simon and Ed beyond the film.

“I’d love to do a limited series with these two. They’ve got more stories in them for sure,” he said. He also shared details on his next project, Hauntville, a Halloween-themed story written with Neighborhood Watch scribe Sean Farley. “Think Clark Griswold but for Halloween,” he said with a laugh. “He goes all-out every year decorating his house — then has to find a new spot when his family bails on him. He finds an abandoned house on the edge of town… and well, I can’t spoil the rest.”

As for his own fantasy neighborhood watch team? “Alan Cumming and Carrie Coon,” Skiles said. “Just for the hang. They seem like they’d be a blast.”

With Neighborhood Watch, Skiles delivers a tightly wound mystery wrapped in a surprisingly warm and human story. It’s a must-watch for fans of character-driven thrillers with heart.

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