Next Door

starring: NIC HERMICK & JUSTIN STANEK

To save his baseball career, high school “Golden Boy” River Young strikes a secret deal to be tutored by Kit, the boy next door he has spent years ignoring. As private lessons ignite a forbidden romance, River must choose between maintaining his perfect public image and embracing his true feelings.

REVIEW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It's actually confusing @watchcandyjar have waited this long to do a BL vertical but thankfully worth the wait as this is exquisite.

The casting team at CJ have to be one of the best in the world, their ability to find raw new talent is unmatched, and they have found another star here in @grapesoda33

Good grief he is good, you feel every emotion that Kit has, he tells you more with his eyes in one scene than some actors manage in their entire career. And you end up physically flinching with him when Carrie or River let him down

It's extraordinary which puts a huge weight on @justin_stanek who plays the trickier character as River isn't always likeable and has his faults. Kudos to Justin that he doesn't try to soften him too much, we need River to dismiss Kit, then try and pass it off as a joke for the story to progress. Again he is superb, and the fact that River is arrogant at the beginning makes his softening and big gesture at the end all the more satisfying.

Also excellent timing by the music teacher for happening to walk past right then.

I am also obsessed with @sophiesteele__ Hadley is superb, riffing off Kit but also always having his back. Basically the best friend we all desperately want and some of us if we are fortunate are lucky to find in life

Sophie has now had 2 awesome side roles on CJ - I need her in lead roles stat. Kicking ass, maybe an anti heroine, causing chaos, saving the world. I'm flexible here people but please make it happen

Now my one grip with @watchcandyjar is that they don't include cast on credits, and I can't find who played Carrie and Darius after over 30 mins of looking. Please sort this out CJ, because everyone in this is super

Also @rico.levitt attends a lot of these vertical schools. I now want a vertical told from his POV, the bystander to all the dramas. Can we make this happen?

Finally hurrah for director @carolinegrayplyler who has created some movie magic here, a beautiful love story and clearly a work environment where everyone can shine

Top work everyone

More please

💖 Top swoonworthy moment:

This has a romantic musical ending to rival the boom box, John Cusack and Say Anything. More up close and personal shots of teaching someone to play the guitar (much better than golf or snooker/pool). And anything where Kit talks about his feelings or calls River out.

🦹🏼‍♂️ Top villain award:

Carrie has no redeeming features - unusual for a Candyjar villain.

😂 Comedy gold:

I did giggle at River thinking taking a music elective was easy. And Carrie thinking that the serenade at the end is for her (get a clue!). But my favourite is the ‘What is the worst that could happen?’ - ‘I’m so glad you asked’ scene.

🎺 Unsung hero:

Hadley is brilliant, largely because Sophie Steele is iconic. I am obsessed. FOR GOODNESS SAKE someone give her some kick ass leads. She is currently my fave new actress on the vertical scene.

✍🏼 DETAILS

Director: Caroline Plyler | 2026

Available on Candyjar