The Stepfather

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1:52

The Stepfather

R

1987

1h 28m

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

89%

Tomatometer

37 Reviews

65%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) is a family man, but he happens to have a series of families, with each one on the receiving end of his murderous ways. When Jerry sets his sights on a lovely widow named Susan (Shelley Hack) and her headstrong daughter, Stephanie (Jill Schoelen), it appears that his brutal pattern of killings will continue. However, Stephanie begins to suspect that there's something wrong with the seemingly well-adjusted Jerry, and a violent confrontation is inevitable.

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Pauline Kael

The New Yorker

09/13/2023

The Stepfather is a cunning, shapely thriller -- a beautiful piece of construction. But it could easily be overlooked, because it has a placid surface that resembles B-picture banality.

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Nick Schager

Lessons of Darkness

01/15/2008

B+

Ruben's surprisingly resonant and durable tale ... cannily reflects, in a larger way, the era of its creation

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Variety Staff

Variety

09/24/2007

An engrossing suspense thriller that refreshingly doesn't cheat the audience in terms of valid clues and plot twists.

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

03/23/2025

B+

"The Stepfather" ultimately gives in and offers a formulaic finale, but the journey there is more intriguing, with the disintegration of Jerry's faux identity leading to sharp scenes of suspense and psychological fracture.

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Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

12/31/2024

3/5

'The Stepfather' feels like a 'Fear Street' novel but with adults and more blood. I'm not mad at that, and I enjoy that vibe. However, I also understand that's not everyone's bag.

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Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

08/30/2023

3/4

The movie proves to be an involving thriller, primarily because of O’Quinn’s menacing performance.

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Caleb L

@RT83793999 Oct 5

One of the best psychological horror films out there. Terry O'Quinn is incredible in this.

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A.L.Jude P

@judebd Aug 25

Awful and sored acting by Jill Schoelen made the whole movie to the category of good plot and a bad script.

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Cody S.

@cody073001 Aug 20

This movie was pretty good. The performance from the main antagonist was great. I have to say, the wife and the daughter could’ve been better. I think it’s weird that a girl who’s supposed to be 16 is seen in the nude in this movie but I suppose that’s a sign of the time. There was a slow point in the buildup to the ending but the last thirty minutes of the film were very entertaining. An overall pretty good horror movie, although I feel it’s more of a thriller.

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Craig W.

@CJWolfe27 Jul 16

This is a really great horror/thriller from 80s. Terry O’quinn is fantastic. This is way better than the remake

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Nick O

@Nicki1985 Jun 12

Terry O’Quinn could teach a class in cinematic creepiness after playing this amazing role of a serial stepdad/killer. Not a typical slasher and that’s what makes it memorable!

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Madam D

@Madam1948 02/22/2025

3.25 stars Based on the true story of a man who murders his entire family. While the plot doesn't follow the actual story, Terry O'Quinn's acting makes it worthwhile.

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Joseph Ruben

Director

Terry O'Quinn

Jerry Blake

Jill Schoelen

Stephanie

Shelley Hack

Susan

Charles Lanyer

Dr. Bondurant

Stephen Shellen

Jim Ogilvie

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The Stepfather: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Jerry Blake (Terry O'Quinn) is a family man, but he happens to have a series of families, with each one on the receiving end of his murderous ways. When Jerry sets his sights on a lovely widow named Susan (Shelley Hack) and her headstrong daughter, Stephanie (Jill Schoelen), it appears that his brutal pattern of killings will continue. However, Stephanie begins to suspect that there's something wrong with the seemingly well-adjusted Jerry, and a violent confrontation is inevitable.

Director: Joseph Ruben
Producer: Jay Benson
Screenwriter: Donald E. Westlake
Distributor: New Century Vista Film Company [us]
Production Co: ITC Productions, Inc.
Rating: R
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 23, 1987, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 26, 2018
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.6M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Surround, Stereo

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