<P> The Boy Next Door is a 2015 American erotic thriller film directed by Rob Cohen and written by Barbara Curry . The film stars Jennifer Lopez, Ryan Guzman, and Ian Nelson, with John Corbett and Kristin Chenoweth playing supporting roles . Lopez plays a high school teacher named Claire who, in the midst of being separated from her husband (Corbett), has a one - night stand with a younger neighbor (Guzman), who develops a dangerous obsession with her . </P> <P> Barbara Curry, a former criminal lawyer, wrote the screenplay for the film inspired from her life's experiences . Blumhouse Productions financed and produced the film, which was filmed for 23 days in Los Angeles and other locations in California at the end of 2013 . The film was released on January 23, 2015 by Universal Pictures . It received generally negative reviews from film critics, but was a box office success, grossing over fifteen times its budget . It was released on Blu - ray and DVD on April 28, 2015 . </P> <P> Claire Peterson (Jennifer Lopez) separates from her husband Garrett (John Corbett), after he was caught cheating with his secretary . Her colleague and best friend Vicky Lansing (Kristin Chenoweth) urges Claire to divorce . 19 - year - old Noah Sandborn (Ryan Guzman) moves in next door to help his wheelchair - bound uncle . They learn that there was a car accident in Noah's family last year, and now he's an orphan . Noah befriends Kevin (Ian Nelson), Claire's teenage son, and begins attending his school, where Claire teaches English literature . Noah is drawn to Claire, expressing love for Homer's Iliad . With Kevin and Garrett away on a fishing trip, Noah catches Claire watching him change clothes through her window . </P> <P> Claire goes on a miserable double date with Vicky and her boyfriend Ethan (Travis Schuldt), and his ill - mannered friend Benny (Bailey Chase). With Kevin still away, Noah calls Claire over to help him cook . She ends up having dinner with him, during which he unashamedly flirts with her . Despite Claire's hesitation, she lets Noah seduce her and they have sex . Claire tells Noah that she regrets their night together, causing him to punch a wall in rage . The school year begins, with Noah joining an uncomfortable Claire's class after hacking into her computer, making it appear as if she had requested this . Noah manipulates Kevin into hating his father, causing him to lash out at Garrett . Later, Kevin overexerts himself at gym class and goes into shock; Noah saves his life by injecting him with Kevin's EpiPen . Claire receives flowers from Noah, and she confronts him about it . Noah witnesses Claire and Garrett together at home after going on a date, which escalates his obsession with her . </P>

Who plays noah in the boy next door