The Man Next Door plot
Eli (Michael Ontkean) is a man who has been released from prison after being atoned for triple rape. He goes to a hamlet, somewhere deep in the province, where he can work in his brother's company. Only probation officer Annie (Annette O'Toole) is aware of his past sexual assault. When his criminal record turns up at the local police, this official secret is known to everyone in no time. When two women are subsequently assaulted, Eli must be protected from lynch law, the sport in backward provincial towns. It takes Eli and the nice Wanda (Pamela Reed), Eli's new girlfriend, a lot of effort to keep believing in him. Appearances are so much against him.