This unwarranted, but passable and reasonably engrossing sequel once again features the impeccable Terry O'Quinn as the titular anonymous obsessive family killer who this time escapes from an asylum, moves into a quiet suburb, and masquerades as a family psychologist (!). The stepfather's targets here for the perfect American family here are real estate agent Carol Grayland (well played by the always solid and lovely Meg Foster) and her young son Jeremy (an engaging portrayal by Jonathan Brandis). Director Jeff Burr (who previously gave us the good'n'ghastly horror anthology sleeper "The Offspring") builds a sufficient amount of tension and there's a delightfully spunky turn by the vivacious Caroline Williams (Stretch in "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2") as Carol's nosy best friend Matty, but this follow-up falls markedly short of the first film's sterling quality because of John Auerbach's predictable script and sophomoric attempts at humor. Overall it's okay and worth seeing once, but the original was much better and more resonant.