A serial killer buries a detective’s son alive on his last day of work. That is the premise of Neglected, a 2026 crime thriller that opened in limited theaters on May 8. It stars Josh Duhamel and Dylan Sprouse and runs at just 93 minutes. No streaming date has been confirmed yet, but one is expected in summer 2026. Here is everything you need to know before it hits digital platforms.
About Neglected (2026)
| US Theatrical Release | May 8, 2026 |
| Festival Premiere | October 18, 2025 (Newport Beach Film Festival) |
| Genre | Action, Crime, Mystery, Thriller |
| Director | David Lipper |
| Writers | David Lipper and Adam G. Levine |
| Story By | Nicholas Ferwerda |
| Runtime | 93 minutes |
| Rating | R |
| Production Company | Latigo Films |
| Distributor | Inaugural Entertainment |
| Language | English |
| Country | United States |
On his first official day of retirement, Detective Shaw is called back to the precinct when a blood-drenched teenager named AJ surrenders with a chilling ultimatum: he has buried Shaw’s teenage son alive. Pulled into a nightmare, Shaw is forced to revisit a trail of grisly homicides as the oxygen in his son’s remote grave runs out.
In a race against the clock, Shaw must navigate a precinct on the brink of mutiny and a suspect who thrives on psychological warfare. His investigation eventually unearths a devastating truth: Shaw was not chosen at random.
The premise is extremely intense, and the film wastes no time getting the pressure cooker atmosphere going. The plot twists keep the audience on edge, and just when things seem to go one way, Detective Shaw discovers evidence that steers his investigation in a different direction.
Production began in December 2024, with the film premiering at the Newport Beach Film Festival in October 2025 under the title The Neglected. Inaugural Entertainment then acquired North American distribution rights in February 2026.
Where to Watch Neglected (2026)?
Neglected hit theaters on May 8, 2026. Streaming platforms for the film have not been announced yet.
The digital release date for the film is currently listed as TBA. Even though, the film has finished its theatrical run, a digital release is awaited.
Based on tracking data, Neglected is expected to begin streaming on June 23, 2026, though no platform has been officially confirmed yet.
The table below shows the current status across every major platform.
| Platform | Availability | Notes |
| Theaters (US) | Theatrical run ended | Limited release ran from May 8, 2026 |
| Netflix | Not available | No official announcement made |
| Amazon Prime Video | Not available | No official announcement made |
| Hulu | Not available | No official announcement made |
| Apple TV+ | Not available | No official announcement made |
| Max | Not available | No official announcement made |
| Peacock | Not available | No official announcement made |
| Fandango at Home (VOD) | Not yet announced | No digital rental date confirmed |
| Apple TV Store | Not yet announced | Check back for rental options |
| Amazon Video (rent/buy) | Not yet announced | Expected after streaming window |
| Plex | Not yet available | Sign up on Plex for availability alerts |
| Google Play Movies | Not yet announced | No date confirmed |
Is Neglected on Netflix?
Neglected is not on Netflix. The platform has made no official announcement about acquiring the film, and it does not appear in Netflix’s upcoming releases for 2026. Anyone wanting to watch it right now will need to wait for a digital rental or VOD announcement, which is expected sometime in summer 2026.
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Is Neglected Available on VOD or Digital Rental?
Neglected has no confirmed digital release date yet. The film wrapped its theatrical window and is now in the waiting period before a VOD release.
The safest approach is to set up watchlist alerts on JustWatch, Fandango at Home, Apple TV, and Vudu. These platforms will notify you the moment a rental or purchase option goes live. Based on how similar limited theatrical releases have moved to digital, a window of four to eight weeks after the theatrical run is common.
Neglected Movie Full Cast
The film stars Josh Duhamel, Elena Sanchez, Dylan Sprouse, Til Schweiger, Kipp Tribble, David Lipper, Corbin Pitts, Jeremy London, Jason London, and Kristin Wollett.
| Actor | Character |
| Josh Duhamel | Detective Shaw |
| Dylan Sprouse | The Kid (AJ) |
| Til Schweiger | Captain Haas |
| Elena Sanchez | Detective Keyes |
| Jeremy London | Sloan |
| Jason London | Deacon |
| Corbin Pitts | Aaron Shaw |
| Kipp Tribble | O’Grady |
| David Lipper | Mayor Richards |
| Kristin Wollett | Mandy Shaw |
Who Directed Neglected?
Neglected was directed by David Lipper and written by Lipper and Adam G. Levine, from a story by Nicholas Ferwerda. It was produced by David Lipper, Robert A. Daly Jr., Mark Canton, Dorothy Canton, and Ryan Winterstern.
Lipper also appears in the film as Mayor Richards. This is one of his most ambitious projects as a director, combining ticking-clock tension with psychological cat-and-mouse storytelling across a single day.
What happens in Neglected?
Detective Shaw is on the verge of retirement when he discovers a serial killer has buried his son Aaron Shaw alive. He must solve three murders to find his son before he suffocates.
The film’s gritty and fast-paced nature leans hard into tension and urgency. The ticking-clock setup, reminiscent of the Kiefer Sutherland-led series 24, creates genuine momentum. The movie builds anxiety and stress without relying solely on graphic violence or cheap jump scares.
Shaw must also deal with a precinct on the brink of mutiny while facing a suspect who uses psychological manipulation as his main weapon. The 92-minute runtime keeps the story moving with no room for filler.
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Neglected 2026: Critical Reception
Reviews for Neglected are split down the middle. Audience scores and critic scores tell two different stories.
Rotten Tomatoes reflects 66 percent audience approval, suggesting a divided but engaged viewership. Audiences debate whether Neglected ranks among the year’s strongest thrillers or falls short of genre expectations.
On IMDb, the film carries a 7.5 out of 10 rating.
| Source | Score or Reaction |
| IMDb User Rating | 7.5 out of 10 |
| Rotten Tomatoes Audience | 66 percent |
| Plex Audience Rating | 6.6 out of 10 |
| Digital Journal | 4.5 out of 5 stars, called it riveting and high-adrenaline |
| NYC Movie Guru | Described as suspenseful, intense and exhilarating |
| Culture Mix | Negative, called it a horrible movie |
| Lee Enterprises | Said it looks like an AI summary of a limited series |
One positive critic wrote that Josh Duhamel commands each scene and works well opposite Elena Sanchez, while Dylan Sprouse brings unpredictability that keeps the suspense going throughout.
A more critical review argued the film has the framework for a cracking good story, but needs more substance to fully land.
One audience member on Rotten Tomatoes noted that Dylan Sprouse did a great job but felt the film read like a Lifetime movie that somehow made it to theaters.
Is Neglected Family-Friendly?
Neglected carries an R rating. It contains intense sequences, psychological violence, and mature themes around murder and a child buried alive. This is not a film suited for younger audiences.
It is made for fans of dark crime thrillers who enjoy ticking-clock suspense and morally complex characters. Parents should treat the R rating seriously here.
When will neglected Be available to stream?
Based on current tracking data, Neglected is expected to begin streaming around June 23, 2026. No official platform has confirmed this, so that date could shift.
Most limited theatrical releases from smaller distributors move to digital rental within 30 to 60 days of their theatrical window closing. Given that Neglected opened on May 8, 2026, a summer 2026 VOD window is the most realistic expectation.
To stay updated, follow the film’s distributor Inaugural Entertainment and set alerts on JustWatch, Fandango at Home, and Apple TV.
Neglected vs similar films worth watching?
If you like the sound of Neglected but cannot wait for a streaming date, these films share the same ticking-clock energy and crime thriller tone.
| Film | Theme | Where to Watch |
| Se7en (1995) | Detective must solve murders or lose everything | Netflix, Prime Video |
| Prisoners (2013) | Father races to find buried child | Max, digital rental |
| Saw (2004) | Trapped with a ticking deadline | Tubi, Prime Video |
| Phone Booth (2002) | Single location, one man, impossible choice | Tubi, digital rental |
| The Call (2013) | Real-time race to save a kidnapped girl | Netflix |
| Nick of Time (1995) | 90-minute real-time thriller | Digital rental |
| Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) | High-pressure cop action with twists | Netflix |
Final Thoughts
Neglected is a tight, fast-moving crime thriller with a strong lead performance from Josh Duhamel and a creepy turn from Dylan Sprouse. It is not a perfect film, and reviews reflect that honestly. But for anyone who enjoys a high-pressure detective story with a clock running, it delivers exactly what it promises.
Right now it is not streaming anywhere. A digital release is expected around late June 2026, though no platform has made it official. Check back here for updates the moment a streaming or VOD announcement is confirmed.
