SummaryAfter murdering his entire family, a man marries a widow with a teenage daughter in another town and prepares to do it all over again.
Directed By:Joseph Ruben
Written By:Carolyn Lefcourt, Brian Garfield, Donald E. Westlake
The Stepfather
Metascore
Generally Favorable
72
User score
Generally Favorable
7.1
My Score
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Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
80% Positive
12 Reviews
12 Reviews
20% Mixed
3 Reviews
3 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
100
The Stepfather is a nearly perfect work of popular entertainment. A thriller about a psychopathic killer, it is absolutely terrifying. At the same time it is a highly personal work, the expression of a gifted individual. [27 Feb 1987, p.A]
80
It's an icy parody of suburban bliss, featuring the kind of proud pop who gets his kicks from loving his family to death. [23 Jan 1987, p.15]
User score
Generally Favorable
67% Positive
10 Ratings
10 Ratings
27% Mixed
4 Ratings
4 Ratings
7% Negative
1 Rating
1 Rating
Dec 22, 2022
9
A Good Psychological Horror Slasher and Thriller Film that everyone should atleast see once
Jun 21, 2021
9
The Stepfather is one of the cult classics which even after so many years has not lose it's charm. Terry O'Quinn is excellent as the stepfather. Even you can feel the danger of him being around. Loved the suspense and thrill this movie gave me. The environment made in the movie was also dark and creepy. Overall, a great movie which needs to be watched by everyone. You're gonna love it.
75
Appreciating what’s special about The Stepfather involves accepting—or at least tolerating—some clunky moments.
75
The Stepfather doesn’t hold up quite as well as it did during the late 1980s (some of the film’s technical aspects are dated) but it still generates tension and suspense and O’Quinn’s performance has lost none of its power.
70
The Stepfather has its thin, B-movie stretches, but it's a smart B movie, with a sly satirical edge. And when the bottom falls out of Jerry's dream, watch out: the movie gets downright hair-raising. [27 Feb 1987, p.79]
60
While The Stepfather doesn't transcend the limitations of most slice-and-dice movies, it comes close. And has fun trying.
50
The Stepfather is too often disappointingly thin.
Nov 18, 2023
7
Very entertaining serial killer flick that tries hard not to be a slasher. And I didn't feel that the film was missing kills. I was just curious to see what O'Quinn would do in the next scene.This film is part of:IDIOTIC GERMAN TITLESTHE STEPFATHER was released in Germany as KILL, DADDY, KILL!
Feb 15, 2022
5
This is a very predictable and slightly bland horror film. It is not amazingly gory but it does have some violence. You can predict exactly where this is going long before it happens. I found it quite easy going to watch and the climax was suitably exciting to make it feel like it was worthwhile watching. There is nothing that you can take away from this film except the happy knowledge that he survives and there is a sequel. This takes itself seriously and there is no knowing comedy about the slightly tacky setup. There are better films than this but the relative blandness works in its favour giving you a slow ride to oblivion on the psychotic stepfather's path to ultimate annihilation.
Production Company:
- Incorporated Television Company (ITC)
Release Date:Jun 5, 1987
Duration:1 h 29 m
Rating:R
Tagline:Who Am I Here?
Awards
Sitges - Catalonian International Film Festival
• 1 Win & 2 Nominations
Young Artist Awards
• 2 Nominations
Cognac Festival du Film Policier
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination
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