Michael Harding (Penn Badgely) returns home from military school to find his mother Susan (Sela Ward) happily in love and living with her new boyfriend David (Dylan Walsh). As the two men ge... Read allMichael Harding (Penn Badgely) returns home from military school to find his mother Susan (Sela Ward) happily in love and living with her new boyfriend David (Dylan Walsh). As the two men get to know each other, he becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there t... Read allMichael Harding (Penn Badgely) returns home from military school to find his mother Susan (Sela Ward) happily in love and living with her new boyfriend David (Dylan Walsh). As the two men get to know each other, he becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there to help.
- Awards
- 2 nominations
- Real Estate Assistant
- (as Kara Briola)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe Stepfather (1987) was loosely based on John List, a New Jersey accountant who murdered his family in November 1971 and disappeared. He was found nearly eighteen years later living under an alias when his neighbor recognized him on America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back (1988) and reported it to the Police.
- GoofsThere is a large storm that the son and his girlfriend are seen sitting in the car and he finally runs into the house and she is left in the car watching him enter. In the background of the neighbors circular driveway you can see where the "rain" has a nice arc on the driveway and the area farther away from this arc is dry.
- Quotes
David Harris: I thought I could make this work. But I can't! This isn't the right family for me. The boy is a problem. He has no respect for me. You haven't been hard enough on him. You've got to make a boy understand! You've got to break him if necessary! You're too weak to do that.
Susan Harding: What are you talking about?
David Harris: I thought it could work, but it can't! I thought you could be Mrs. Grady Edwards, but you can't!
Susan Harding: What did you say? Who is Grady Edwards?
David Harris: Wait, wait... it just... wait a minute. I... uh...
[there is a long tense pause as David/The Stepfather, too late, realizes his slip]
David Harris: Who am I here?
- Alternate versionsUnrated version was released on Region 1 DVD and Region A Blu-ray.
- ConnectionsFeatured in WatchMojo: Another Top 10 Worst Horror Movie Remakes (2015)
- SoundtracksTypical
Written by Paul Meany
Performed by Mutemath (as Mute Math)
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Records Inc.
By Arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
Dylan Walsh does a fine job and is more than good enough trying to be creepy and comforting at the same time. Sela Ward, his wife, seemed lacking and was probably the weakest character in the story. The son, Michael (Miley Cyrus' crush, Penn Badgley), was respectable and a strong supporting lead (though not Jill Schoelen). And his girlfriend (Amber Heard)... well, someone needs to tell me why she was always in a bikini or her underwear. That chick needs to eat a sandwich.
For being PG-13, the suspense and thrills were very nice. There was a cat fake-out, and even with one scene cut (it contains a buzzsaw... watch for it on DVD) there was some good, old-fashioned butt-kicking. And, like any modern horror film, they had to take technology into account -- cell phones and the Internet were utilized as part of the plot. I don't happen to think the "America's Most Wanted" sketch looked like David Harris, but that's forgivable.
I don't know what to make of the lesbian subplot... that requires a second viewing or a commentary track to explain.
You must see the original, but this isn't a bad film, either. And if you're younger and maybe not ready for full blown horror (although I don't think any age is too young), this is a good stepping stone. Just turn off your ears before the horrifyingly bad remake of The Turtles' "Happy Together" in the closing credits. I like Filter, but this song fails.
- gavin6942
- Nov 24, 2009
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Languages
- Also known as
- Stepfather 4
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $20,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $29,062,561
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $11,581,586
- Oct 18, 2009
- Gross worldwide
- $31,198,531
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1