Neglected (2026) Review: A Retiring Cop's Race Against Suffocation

This neglected review looks at a lean, high-concept thriller that puts a veteran cop on the worst final shift imaginable. Directed by David Lipper and starring Josh Duhamel, the film wastes little time getting to its ticking clock. It runs just 92 minutes, so the pressure rarely lets up.

Neglected Review: The Story So Far (No Spoilers)

The neglected plot is simple and effective. Detective Shaw (Josh Duhamel) is about to retire when he discovers on his last day that a serial killer has buried his son alive. To find the boy, he has to work through three murders before the oxygen runs out.

That structure turns a standard police procedural into a race. Every clue matters, and every delay costs something. The tagline asks, "How far would you go to save your son?" and the film builds its first act around that question.

The setup gives the story a clear shape: a countdown, a trail of crime scenes, and a father who cannot afford to think like a cop alone. If you enjoy crime movie reviews built around a single desperate deadline, the hook will feel familiar but potent.

What Works in Neglected

The premise is the film's biggest asset. A buried-alive scenario is instantly frightening, and pairing it with a murder investigation gives the story two engines: personal panic and detective work.

• Tight running time: at 92 minutes, the story has little room for padding.

• Clear stakes: viewers always know what Shaw stands to lose.

• Genre blend: it mixes police-procedural beats with the urgency of an action film.

The last-day-before-retirement angle also adds a layer of irony. Shaw is a man on the verge of leaving the job, and the case drags him back in with the highest stakes possible. It is a well-worn trope, but it suits a thriller this direct.

Neglected Cast and Performances

The neglected cast is led by Josh Duhamel as Shaw. He is a natural fit for a worn-down but determined lead, and the film leans on his ability to carry urgency without overplaying it. Parental desperation is the emotional core, and he gives it a steady, believable weight.

Dylan Sprouse plays AJ, while Elena Sanchez appears as Keyes. Jason London plays Deacon and Jeremy London plays Sloan, giving the supporting bench some recognisable faces. Director David Lipper also appears on screen as Mayor Richards, an extra duty on top of co-writing the script with Adam G. Levine.

With a film this brisk, the supporting characters mostly serve the plot. They keep the investigation moving rather than getting deep arcs of their own. That is fair for the format, though it leaves some of them feeling functional.

Where Neglected Stumbles

The same speed that helps the pacing limits the depth. A story that asks a father to solve three murders against the clock needs the investigation to feel earned, and compressed running time can make some leaps feel convenient.

The themes hinted at by the title and by early audience reactions, such as how violent people are shaped by those around them, are present but not deeply explored. A grim premise like this could support more psychological texture than a 92-minute runtime allows.

It also lacks the polish of bigger-budget rivals. Fans of slick, high-gloss thrillers may find the execution modest. Compared with other recent low-key genre pieces on the site, like The Captor, it aims for urgency over refinement.

Is Neglected Worth Watching?

Yes, if you want a fast, tense crime thriller with a strong hook and a committed lead. It is not a groundbreaking film, but it knows what it is and mostly delivers on its promise. Audience feedback so far is mild but positive, with a TMDB score of 6.1/10 from a small number of votes.

The film works best when you treat it as a pulse-raising evening watch rather than a deep character study. Its premise is strong enough to keep you hooked, and the short length means little risk if the plot logic occasionally strains.

The release date is 8 May 2026, and there is no confirmed streaming information in our notes, so check local listings for where to watch Neglected.

For more of the same, our Ruthless Bastards review covers another recent crime-flavoured outing with a different tone.

Who Will Enjoy Neglected

• Fans of ticking-clock crime thrillers with a personal hook.

• Viewers who like Josh Duhamel in tough, determined roles.

• Anyone after a short, no-frills action-crime film for a weeknight.