The Stepfather

Name: The Stepfather
Genre: Thriller, Horror
Released: June 5, 1987
Duration: 89 min
Rating: 72
Cast: Anna Hagan, Charles Lanyer, Jeff Schultz, Jill Schoelen, Lindsay Bourne

1987

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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7.6

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7.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 9 Ratings

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The Stepfather

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Movie Details & Credits

New Century Vista Film Company | Release Date: June 5, 1987 | R

Starring: Anna Hagan, Charles Lanyer, Jeff Schultz, Jill Schoelen, Lindsay Bourne, Robyn Stevan, Shelley Hack, Stephen E. Miller, Stephen Shellen, Terry O'Quinn

Summary: After murdering his entire family, a man marries a widow with a teenage daughter in another town and prepares to do it all over again.

Director: Joseph Ruben

Genre(s): Thriller, Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 89 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Dave Kehr

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]

Patrick Goldstein

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]

Hal Hinson

It's a terrific, disquietingly entertaining little film -- a piece of genuine Gothic Americana. Read full review

Bill Cosford

It's genuinely terrifying, as scary as it is unexpected. [22 May 1987, p.D5]

Scott Tobias

Appreciating what’s special about The Stepfather involves accepting—or at least tolerating—some clunky moments. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

The Stepfather is an engrossing suspense thriller that refreshingly doesn't cheat the audience in terms of valid clues and plot twists. Read full review

Janet Maslin

The Stepfather is too often disappointingly thin. Read full review

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User Reviews

Computey18

Dec 22, 2022

A Good Psychological Horror Slasher and Thriller Film that everyone should atleast see once

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

akshatmahajan

Jun 21, 2021

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 alsoThe 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

HellHoleHorror

Feb 15, 2022

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 wasThis 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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