The Stepfather (1987)

User Rating:

6.6/10   

Director:

Joseph Ruben

Writers:

Carolyn Lefcourt (story) &
Brian Garfield (story) ...

Release Date:

23 January 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Daddy's Home and He's Not Very Happy

Plot:

All about a "family values" man Jerry Blake who marries widows and divorcées with children in search of the perfect family...

Plot Keywords:

Search | Daughter | Widow | Stepfather Stepdaughter Relationship | Sex

Awards:

2 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Terry O'Quinn	...	Gerald 'Jerry' Blake
Jill Schoelen	...	Stephanie Maine
Shelley Hack	...	Susan Maine Blake
Charles Lanyer	...	Dr. Bondurant
Stephen Shellen	...	Jim Ogilvie
Stephen E. Miller	...	Al Brennan
Robyn Stevan	...	Karen
Jeff Schultz	...	Paul Baker
Lindsay Bourne	...	Art Teacher
Anna Hagan	...	Mrs. Leitner
Gillian Barber	...	Anne Barnes
Blu Mankuma	...	Lt. Jack Wall
Jackson Davies	...	Mr. Chesterton
Sandra Head	...	Receptionist
Gabrielle Rose	...	Dorothy Rinehard

Also Known As:

Stepfather I

Runtime:

89 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Finland:K-16 (cut) (1988) (VHS) | Australia:M | Denmark:15 (DVD rating) | Finland:K-18 (uncut) (1988) | France:-12 | Norway:16 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | West Germany:18

Filming Locations:

Seattle, Washington, USA

Company:

Incorporated Television Company (ITC)

Trivia:

Loosely based on the story of John List. He is the New Jersey man who killed his family, and disappeared for 16 years, until he was one of the first people profiled on "America's Most Wanted."

Goofs:

Continuity: Paint changes on Steph's back during her fight in school.

Quotes:

Jerry Blake: Wait a minute, who am I here?
Sue: Jerry?
Jerry Blake: That's right. Jerry Blake. Thanks, honey.

Movie Connections:

References Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)

Soundtrack:

Run Between the Raindrops

Based on a true story

This movie was based on a true story. Back in the 1950's a man named John List murdered his wife and kids and married into another family with no father and he was eventually caught. This movie is on a similar basis. This has to one of the best films of the 1980's. Terry O'Quinn is absolutely brilliant as the psychotic stepfather, in other movies you wouldn't think of him as a psychopath like that. Shelley Hack was a bad choice for the wife, the role was unfit for her, in my opinion they should of gotten somebody more dramatic (you choose who), and Jill Schoelen was superb as the daughter, possibly her best film, she played the role as if she lived it before. Charles Lanyer as the psychiatrist was an absolute bore, he should have played the reporter. Stephen Shellen was good as the vengeful brother in law and finally Blu Mankuma as the cop (so what else is knew) seemed like he didn't care about the case. If you want to see a great thriller based on an actual story watch this. I give this 10 out of 10