Newlyweds Chris and Lisa Mattson (PATRICK WILSON and KERRY WASHINGTON) seem like they have the prefect marriage and with their new home in the exclusive community Lakeview Terrace, the perfect life as well. But they soon discover the self-appointed watchdog of their community - and their next door neighbour - L.A.P.D. officer Abel Turner (SAMUEL L. JACKSON) doesn't approve of their interracial relationship and begins to launch a series of pranks designed to make them move out. But when the couple decides to fight back, Abel goes from annoying neighbour to dangerous adversary...and it becomes only a matter of time before the situation escalates into a potentially deadly standoff.