'Disturbia': Shia LaBeouf reveals the mind of a killer
Kate Albing
Issue date: 4/4/07 Section: Diversions
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LaBeouf's newest movie "Disturbia," directed by DJ Caruso, is a smart teen horror flick slated for release April 13, rife with misunderstood teen angst, pop culture references and corpses galore. In "Disturbia," LaBeouf plays Kale, a troubled teen still grieving over the sudden death of his father. After violently lashing out at his Spanish teacher, Kale is sentenced to three months house arrest. This gives him loads of time to play video games and spy on his neighbors from his bedroom, but some lighthearted voyeurism turns sinister when he inadvertently stumbles upon the nefarious deeds of his homicidal neighbor, played by the ever-creepy David Morse. Of course, the authorities don't believe Kale, and so he must join together with his friend Ronnie (Aaron Yoo) and love interest Ashley (Sarah Roemer) in order to save the day. A "Rear Window" for the 21st century, "Disturbia" packs a powerful performance by LaBeouf, and though it may not be the most groundbreaking of plots, "Disturbia" provides a smart commentary on our society's present heightened state of paranoia.
Phoenix: How are you doing today?
Shia Labeouf: I'm good, I'm good. This is my wind-down mode. You're getting toward the end of my day.
Phoenix: That's a good thing?
SL: Yeah, yeah it's great. This is where it gets really fun, this is where it gets interesting.
Phoenix: So, what music are you listening to these days?
SL: The Shins. The Shins and a rapper named Cage. There's this small little rap label called Definitive Jux. If you've heard of Aesop Rock or Mr. Lif … those type of guys.
Phoenix: Did you have any influence over the music that appeared in "Disturbia?"
SL: Oh, the movie? I remember listening to System of a Down nonstop. God, it's my favorite band, so I was listening to that constantly. So T.J. (the director) would come up to me and he'd take an earphone out, and he'd listen, and I think [he] put that in the movie. It's a great song.
Phoenix: So, your movie takes place in the suburbs. Did you grow up in the suburbs?
SL: No, I grew up in a place called Echo Park (near Los Angeles, Calif.) which is not like the ghetto or anything, but it's not like the suburbs either.