The Magpies?
Haven't seen this, but the plot summary sounds an awful lot like a British novel I read called "The Magpies," but the novel isn't credited on IMDB. Any insight, or just coincidence?
shareI thought exactly that when I saw the summary. I read the Magpies about a year ago, and now I've just watched the film.
It's not the same, the set-up is similar enough that if I were Mark Edwards I'd be raising my eyebrows aggressively, but it veers away from how the book pursues a similar theme very significantly.
Thank you for your reply. I've since seen the movie and enjoyed it; but, I agree completely with your assessment. It's close enough that Edwards might go, "um, you could've just adapted my book and threw me some royalties." I'd be frustrated if I were him anyway.
Edwards' story was better, at least for my taste. The neighbors were a couple of Iagos, with little more motive than the satisfaction of tormenting happy couples. In "The Ones Below," the villains are able to rationalize their actions. Still, I truly enjoyed the film.
Also, the couple in The Magpies were making money from harassing their neighbours. They systematically drove them insane to the point where they were forced to sell up and move. The tormentors then bought the flat (at a knock-down price), sat on it for a while, then re-sold it for a massive profit to the next unsuspecting couple. And repeat...
But yes there were similarities. A different motive, but I expected an "Inspired By..." credit, at least.