The Stepfather

Screen Gems | Release Date: October 16, 2009

5.5	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 57 Ratings

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solutions10Oct 13, 2011

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Okay, so I first saw this on blu-ray, which is unrated. I did not know the theatrical was PG-13. I sort of looking for a bloody slasher film with a psychopathic stepfather, you know, something that excites me on a boring evening. I'm not sure what the differences were between the unrated and PG-13 versions, but no matter how you look at it, this film really doesn't work, despite its great premise (I wasn't aware it was a remake until later). He's supposed to be the guy everybody trusts, your classic closet serial killer who's otherwise normal...well, almost otherwise normal. For a guy who's supposed to be a step ahead of everyone else, it's pretty clear he's not one of the brighter killers to exist. It's like he's asking to be caught, with how he suddenly quits his job because he has to provide identification, murders people who think he's suspicious, and even keeps his **** browser history intact on his computer. Seriously? He doesn't even manage to clear his browser history? Couldn't he have at least made a separate user account on Windows so no one else could see it? But no, he decides to leave his entire web activity available for public eye, which, big surprise, helps a lot in his eventual discovery. The "cell phone with low battery" trick is actually used here, which hasn't been suspenseful for at least a decade. He somehow loses a fight to a teenager who is clearly a worse fighter, tries to cover up his evidence with a lock that someone simply forces open, and lives an open lie that you can't imagine anyone in the movie possibly believes, sans the desperate person he's scheduled to marry. There's really nothing special at all about this film, and its nonsensical premise isn't lived up to in the execution (no pun intended). Plot holes are everywhere, believability is kept to a minimum, the characters aren't anything special, we never learn the bad guy's true motives, everyone in the movie seems to have a serious association problem (considering they dismiss his picture on America's Most Wanted as nothing to worry about, or that he never allows himself to be photographed, or that he refuses to provide proper identification when asked, etc.), and really, the bad guy is just not very smart. Yeah, he tries to be charming like a typical psychopath, but he's not exactly calculated in any way whatsoever. His smarts as a killer end at his ability to fake a smile. Pretty weak film, especially with an antagonist who is an idiot and is wearing a sign on his forehead the whole time saying he's the killer on America's Most Wanted, which is naturally dismissed by every single person except the main protagonist. Yeah, that's weak.… Expand

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RumblebeeloveJan 7, 2011

While I have not seen the original, this movie on its own is not scary, not even very suspenseful. A few scenes showed promise, but everything here seems so cliche'. The acting is solid, and there are a few nice shots, but not enough to pushWhile I have not seen the original, this movie on its own is not scary, not even very suspenseful. A few scenes showed promise, but everything here seems so cliche'. The acting is solid, and there are a few nice shots, but not enough to push it over being a polished bland film.… Expand

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dang.Oct 20, 2009

Ok, 6 is a tad generous. the thing that really blew me away is dr. house's ex and forever love getting married AGAIN to that stepfather guy. what a hussy. don't tell greggie.

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sandynJun 17, 2010

I didn't see the 1987 original, but this version of The Stepfather, although professional in its production, is just another by-the-numbers thriller. (Spoiler Alert coming...) The end leaves you dissatisfied and frustrated too, as the I didn't see the 1987 original, but this version of The Stepfather, although professional in its production, is just another by-the-numbers thriller. (Spoiler Alert coming...) The end leaves you dissatisfied and frustrated too, as the evil protagonist never gets his comeuppance!… Expand

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mds03Apr 21, 2013

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 theIt 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

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FilipeNetoOct 4, 2020

When I decided to see this film I didn't know it was a remake of an older one, but now I'm willing to see it too. And it should not be the first one to explore the normal discomfort that everyone feels when they start having a stepfather. InWhen I decided to see this film I didn't know it was a remake of an older one, but now I'm willing to see it too. And it should not be the first one to explore the normal discomfort that everyone feels when they start having a stepfather. In this film, however, that stepfather is a dangerous killer who attacks young widows or divorces. However, I would not consider it a horror film because it is so light that it does not scare. It involves, it creates suspense, but not enough to become scary.

In the film, the script shows Michael's difficult adaptation to his mother's new boyfriend, David. At first, things seem to be going smoothly, but the behavior of this new member of the family begins to raise suspicions, as he avoids any photograph and any mention of his own past. The film, however, never hides what he really is: right from the start, the perverse personality of this stepfather is evident when we see the way he kills an entire family. I think that was one less point for the film, which loses any mystery. The film succeeds in creating a good tense atmosphere as we get to know the characters and establish empathic bonds with them.

The cast has some familiar names, but it is not a film that adds much to the career of any of those involved, I think. Dylan Walsh was quite good in the role of the wicked stepfather, and his performance evolved in quality as the character became increasingly neurotic and mentally unstable. Sela Ward has also done an excellent job and is absolutely perfect in the role of a middle-aged woman, recently divorced and trying to give love a new chance while trying to remain a good mother. Penn Badgley was good in the role of Michael, although he doesn't always behave in a way that I find credible and logical. In the negative, I would mention the poor performance of Amber Heard, who seems to believe that it is enough to appear almost naked or in a bikini to play a character. Let's face it, it's not just her fault, director Nelson McCormick and screenwriter J.S. Cardone explored her physical attributes a lot, forgetting to develop her character. The film also features good appearances by Jon Tenney, Paige Turco and Sherry Stringfield in secondary characters.

Not being a film that stands out in technical aspects, it knows how to maintain a good quality standard within what we are expecting to find in an average film: we have good cinematography, a regular use of light and color to create an atmosphere, satisfactory effects and good sets and costumes.… Expand

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MrScallopsJun 19, 2019

Nicely acted remake of a classic thriller, but the promising beginning turns into dragged out and predictable plot. The script suffers from major illogicalities and the pacing is off until the very end. An average attempt at a thriller mostlyNicely acted remake of a classic thriller, but the promising beginning turns into dragged out and predictable plot. The script suffers from major illogicalities and the pacing is off until the very end. An average attempt at a thriller mostly relying on cheap jump scares. Skip this!… Expand

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