Disturbia, released in 2007, is a modern thriller that pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock‘s classic Rear Window, while infusing it with a fresh and contemporary twist. The film follows Kale Brecht, a 17-year-old boy who is placed under house arrest for attacking his high-school teacher. Bored and restless, Kale begins to spy on his neighbors, including the attractive and mysterious Ashley, who lives across the street. However, on the other side of the street, Kyle soon witnesses something he can’t un-see and begins to suspect his neighbour of heinous acts.
As the stakes rise and the bodies pile up, Kale becomes convinced that he must uncover the truth before it’s too late, all while navigating his own personal demons and struggling to cope with the trauma of his past. With its blend of suspense, humour, and teen angst, Disturbia offers a unique and thrilling take on the classic thriller genre, with Shia LaBeouf delivering a standout performance as the troubled but determined protagonist. Over a decade after its release, Disturbia continues to grow in cult status. So, let’s catch up with the cast and see where they are now.
Shia LaBeouf as Kale
By the time Disturbia hit movie theaters, Shia LaBeouf had already established himself as an actor to watch out for. He first rose to prominence as a child star, featuring in the acclaimed movie Holes and taking on the lead role in the popular Disney Channel series, Even Stevens. However, Disturbia is where he really showcased his dynamic ability and range. As the troubled youth Kale, LaBeouf brought tremendous depth to the role, playing a teenager prone to violence due to the pain and grief of losing his father. Outside of his tough exterior, he is a deeply caring young man who is extremely protective over his mother.
Disturbia brings a balance of horror, drama, action, and humour, and the majority of the weight is carried by LaBeouf. This role set the groundwork for roles in even bigger movies like Transformers, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, and Fury. Additionally, LaBeouf has never shied away from lower budget independent movies, boasting a flair for eclecticism. However, LaBeouf’s successes have been marred by his turbulent personal life, including brushes with the law and clashes with many co-stars and colleagues over the years.
In 2022, Jon Bernthal gave a platform to LaBeouf, featuring him on his podcast, Real Ones with Jon Bernthal. While speaking candidly, LaBeouf expressed his desire to change and seek redemption. Yet, to many, his actions are unforgivable. Despite this, in 2024, he will star in Francis Ford Coppola‘s long-awaited passion project, Megalopolis.
David Morse as Mr. Turner
David Morse is a master of the craft, a Hollywood character actor whose impressive range and versatility have earned him a reputation as one of the industry’s finest. With a filmography that boasts iconic roles in movies like Contact, The Green Mile, and The Hurt Locker, Morse has consistently demonstrated his ability to bring depth and nuance to even the most complex characters. While he may not be a household name or a leading man, he has a remarkable talent for playing villainous roles, and his performance as Mr. Turner in Disturbia is a testament to this. As the brutal and manipulative killer who terrorizes Kale and his neighbors, Morse brings a chilling menace to the screen, his portrayal of the character’s twisted psyche both captivating and unsettling. In 2024, Morse shared the screen with John Lithgow in Cabrini. He is next set to lend his voice to the documentary movie, The Gettysburg Address, playing the iconic Abraham Lincoln.
Sarah Roemer as Ashley
Amongst the cast of Disturbia, Sarah Roemer shines as Ashley, Kale’s mysterious neighbour. Initially portrayed as an ambiguous love interest, she quickly takes centre stage as she becomes involved in the investigation of Turner, soon finding herself in extreme danger. Following this breakout role, Roemer starred in acclaimed movies like Hachi: A Dog’s Tale, and the popular sports comedy movie, Fired Up! In recent years, her career seems to have slowed down somewhat, with her last role being in the 2021 movie Survive the Game. Roemer’s break from acting seems to come from focusing time on her family. She is married to One Tree Hill star Chad Michael Murray. The couple have three children together.
Carrie-Ann Moss as Julie
Carrie-Anne Moss is a talented actress who has made a significant impact in Hollywood with her iconic roles in films like The Matrix, where she played the role of Trinity, a powerful and stoic warrior. However, in Disturbia, she takes on a more understated and nuanced role as Julie, the mother of Kale, the troubled teenager who is placed under house arrest. As Julie, Moss brings a sense of vulnerability and desperation to the screen, playing a grieving mother who is desperate to see her son redeemed despite his troubled past. More recently, Carrie-Anne Moss has mostly starred in smaller supporting roles, with her role in The Matrix still remaining her most iconic and well-known. However, in 2024, she is set to star in the anticipated Star Wars series The Acolyte.
Aaron Yoo as Ronnie
Amongst the star-studded cast of Disturbia, Aaron Yoo brings forth the greatest form of comedic relief as Ronnie, Kale’s best friend. Ronnie has a mischievous and playful nature that serves as the classic best friend character who inadvertently makes matters worse with his boisterous ways. After the success of Disturbia, Yoo went on to star in movies like Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, Friday the 13th (2009), and Money Monster. In recent years, he has delivered acclaimed performances in popular shows like Evil, and The Black List. He is next set to star opposite J.J. Nolan in the COVID-19-set romance movie Six Feet Apart.
Viola Davis as Detective Parker
Viola Davis is easily the cast member of Disturbia that has gone on to garner the most success and acclaim. In Disturbia, Davis stars as Detective Parker, a stern police officer who struggles to see past Kale’s delinquency when he brings forward the claims against Mr. Turner. Although her role is rather small, her commanding presence is felt in every scene. In the years following Disturbia, Davis cemented herself as one of the finest thespians in cinema, winning an Oscar in 2017 for her role in Denzel Washington‘s drama, Fences. Outside of this win, she has been nominated a further three times. As of 2024, her upcoming slate is jam-packed. She will star alongside Anthony Starr in the action-thriller G20, and will take on the lead role of Civil War-era activist Harriet Tubman in Kirk Ellis‘ upcoming biopic. Want to read more about Viola Davis? Here’s our pick of the best roles of her storied career.
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