The Stepfather

2009, Mystery & thriller/Horror, 1h 41m

63 Reviews 250,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

This tepid remake of the 1987 cult classic lacks the tension and satirical undercurrents of the original. Read critic reviews

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The Stepfather Videos

The Stepfather: Trailer 1

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The Stepfather Photos

(L-R) Dylan Walsh as David Harris and Penn Badgley as Michael Harding in "The Stepfather."

Penn Badgley as Michael Harding in "The Stepfather."

Penn Badgley as Michael Harding in "The Stepfather."

Penn Badgley as Michael Harding in "The Stepfather."

Dylan Walsh as David Harris in "The Stepfather."

Dylan Walsh as David Harris in "The Stepfather."

Dylan Walsh as David Harris in "The Stepfather."

(L-R) Dylan Walsh as David Harris and Penn Badgley as Michael Harding in "The Stepfather."

Dylan Walsh as David Harris in "The Stepfather."

(L-R) Dylan Walsh and director Nelson McCormick on the set of "The Stepfather."

Penn Badgley as Michael Harding in "The Stepfather."

(L-R) Penn Badgley as Michael Harding and Dylan Walsh as David Harris in "The Stepfather."

Sela Ward as Susan Harding in "The Stepfather."

Sela Ward as Susan Harding in "The Stepfather."

Sela Ward as Susan Harding in "The Stepfather."

Dylan Walsh as David Harris in "The Stepfather."

(L-R) Penn Badgley as Michael Harding and Amber Heard as Kelly in "The Stepfather."

(L-R) Amber Heard as Kelly and Penn Badgley as Michael Harding in "The Stepfather."

Amber Heard as Kelly in "The Stepfather."

Amber Heard as Kelly in "The Stepfather."

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Movie Info

When Michael Harding (Penn Badgley) returns home from military school, he discovers that his mother (Sela Ward) has a new man, named David (Dylan Walsh), in her life. Though David makes Michael's mother very happy, Michael cannot seem to shake feelings of distrust. He becomes increasingly suspicious of the man and wonders if the pleasant exterior hides a sinister side.

Rating:

PG-13 (Disturbing Images|Brief Sensuality|Intense Sequences of Violence|Mature Thematic Material)
Genre:

Mystery & thriller, Horror
Original Language:

English
Director:

Nelson McCormick
Producer:

Mark Morgan, Greg Mooradian
Writer:

J.S. Cardone
Release Date (Theaters):

Oct 16, 2009 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Feb 9, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA):

$29.1M
Runtime:

1h 41m
Distributor:

Sony Pictures Entertainment

Cast & Crew

Dylan Walsh
David Harris

Sela Ward
Susan Harding

Penn Badgley
Michael Harding

Amber Heard
Kelly Porter

Jon Tenney
Jay

Sherry Stringfield
Leah

Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for The Stepfather

Critics Consensus: Where the Wild Things Are Is A Wild Rumpus

Critic Reviews for The Stepfather

All Critics (63) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (55)

Full Review… Perri Nemiroff CinemaBlend

Full Review… Derek Malcolm London Evening Standard

Full Review… Nigel Floyd Time Out

Full Review… Kevin Maher Times (UK)

Full Review… Peter Bradshaw Guardian

Full Review… Anthony Quinn Independent (UK)

Full Review… Stephanie Archer Film Inquiry

Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com

Full Review… Steve Newton Georgia Straight

Full Review… Dave White Movies.com

Full Review… James Rocchi Common Sense Media

Full Review… Peter Canavese Groucho Reviews

View All Critic Reviews (63)

Audience Reviews for The Stepfather

Jan 03, 2012

One of my firsts thoughts during The Stepfather was cutting 10 minute from the running time would do the movie a world of good. Second thought...cutting everything but 10 minutes might be the best option. Outside of the credits sequence, there's no zip or drama in the entire story. Part of the problem is the audience is never left guessing as to whether Dylan Walsh's character is a bad guy or not. We know he is, thus robbing the film of anything resembling tension. Another problem is the shameless manipulation of the characters, conveniently moving them into and out of the story with no finesse. (Watch how the finale leaves two main characters out of the action "just because.") I couldn't help but mock Penn Badgley through the entire production...not the desired reaction to the hero of the piece. What dreck.

Jason V Super Reviewer
Dec 02, 2011

The plot is very interesting, don't get me wrong. But this movie wasn't scary at all, or even chilling. My little sister watched it and was scared but it didn't give me any chills. The music was creepy, but cliche. The acting was surprisingly not bad, but they didn't have any horror acting abilities, in other words their acting never made me feel scared. This movie fails at being scary, but succeeds at having a good concept and actors.

Bradley W Super Reviewer
Sep 18, 2011

Devestatingly boring and overplayed, this movie had little or no merit whatsoever. There is almost 0% blood, gore or indeed horror to this wannabe remake of a classic. Walsh was convincing enough and the acting wasn't terrible, but even the best actors cannot work well with a terrible script. One of the worst remakes in the history of horror regurgitation.

Unknown H Super Reviewer
Jul 15, 2011

Below average thriller.

Mesh B Super Reviewer

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