Review #1103: The Stepfather.
Cast:
Terry O'Quinn (Jerry Blake/Henry Morrison/Bill Hodgkins/The Stepfather), Jill Schoelen (Stephanie Maine), Shelley Hack (Susan Maine), Charles Lanyer (Dr. A. Bondurant), Stephen Shellen (Jim Ogilvie), Stephen E. Miller (Al Brennan), Robyn Stevan (Karen), and Jeff Schultz (Paul Baker) Directed by Joseph Ruben.
Review:
This is a horror film that feels a bit telegraphed in certain aspects of its narrative, but it relies on the pull of its main actor and some of its thrills to carry itself to respectability, for the most part. For a movie that tries to mix psychological horror and thriller aspects together with a bit of violence, this is actually a fairly accomplished flick. O'Quinn proves to be an interesting lead to follow in that he makes this character come alive with some dimension and compelling nature, being distinct in his characterization without it coming off as out of place. He toes the line of comfortability in that there are moments when he may "seem" right at home in this family neighborhood life but he never becomes a complete chameleon or too unbelievable for his pursuits, and it is those sequences that work out just as fine as the horror stuff, such as when he makes a paper hat out of the headline containing his past crime and gives it to a kid to distract during a party or when he forgets whose identity he is momentarily. Schoelen is fairly decent, being useful to watch interact and investigate, although others may be amused at a 23 year old playing a teenager - for better or worse. Hack is also fairly decent, playing the role and motivations just as fair as you expect. There isn't anyone in the supporting cast who proves to give a great performance by any means, but they all play their roles satisfactory enough that everything clicks into place to make for something that is easy to watch, such as Lanyer and his psychologist moments that are fleeting but welcome. The climax (and how it gets there) is a bit standard, but it will likely satisfy the tastes of people in the mood for what it delivers to the table, having its share of violence and thrill without being out of left field or too much for the viewer. What could've been just another run-of-the-mill slasher movie is instead one that has a fair bit of tension and a good deal of entertainment value. It isn't a fairly scary movie or anything great of the genre, but it is a fairly interesting one with a few moments to look at and a solid O'Quinn performance that elevates this into respectability and a fairly decent curiosity piece to recommend.
Overall, I give it 7 out of 10 stars.
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