Metascore

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 11 Critics What's this?

User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 32 Ratings

  • Starring: Dylan Walsh, Penn Badgley, Sela Ward
  • Summary: Michael Harding returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend, David. As the two men get to know each other, Michael becomes more and more suspicious of the man who is always there with a helpful hand. Is he really the man of her dreams or could David be hiding a dark side? (Sony) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 11
  2. Negative: 3 out of 11
  1. Tthe film is all of a piece, a handsome, thoughtfully crafted production that generates a mounting terror securely anchored by assured performances, consistent psychological persuasiveness and believable dialogue. What's most chilling about The Stepfather is that it was inspired by an actual incident in New Jersey in 1971.
  2. Reviewed by: John Anderson
    60
    McCormick's Stepfather boasts a decent script by J.S. Cardone, but it seems to have been made in a bubble, as if nothing had transpired in the world of slasher/horror since the late Donald Westlake ("The Grifters") wrote the much-respected original.
  3. Reviewed by: Ty Burr
    50
    As such things go, it’s not bad: slick and proficient, The Stepfather 2.0 gets the adrenaline pumping, but the original has the brains.
  4. This remake turns a fondly remembered horror/thriller into a mild and tedious suspense film.

See all 11 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 11
  2. Negative: 3 out of 11
  1. rickym
    10
    The Stepfather is freakin awesome! this movie is a thrill a minute suspense ride from the opening scene up to the final one Dylan Walsh is amazing.
  2. THE STEPFATHER is a good movie, but it could have had more stuff happening in it.
  3. 6
    It was pretty good. It could have been way better though. It was entertaining and very intense most of the time but unfortunately the suspense was limited. I really hope there is a second one because it will out do this one big time since the writers know what the flaws are in this one now. Plus, the second one should really be rated R. Expand
  4. Seanismyname
    3
    RULES for 21st CENTURY CINEMA: Any movie that relies on "Low Battery" displays on a cellular phone to create tension just shouldn't be made. This film takes a pedantic approach to suspense and offers nothing new. Nice production values. Dylan Walsh is disturbingly hot. Expand

See all 11 User Reviews

Trailers