The Stepfather

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2:27

The Stepfather

PG-13

Released Oct 16, 2009

1h 41m

Mystery & Thriller

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

13%

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63 Reviews

34%

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250,000+ Ratings

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.

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Critics Consensus

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

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Perri Nemiroff

CinemaBlend

The genre has diverged into two paths: the brutally gruesome and the suspenseful. This is going for the latter, which would have been fine if it were in fact thrilling.

Rated: 2.5/5

Aug 12, 2010

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

There's mayhem all over the place and not a policeman, or much logic, in sight. Watchable nonsense, with performances better than the story deserves.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 11, 2009

Full Review

Empire Magazine

Cliché-ridden and full of plot-holes.

Rated: 2/5

Dec 11, 2009

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

This inane venture into familiar territory does nothing besides inspire audiences to put the 1987 original into their rental queue.

Rated: 2/4

Aug 30, 2023

Full Review

Stephanie Archer

Film Inquiry

While it suffers from a few plot holes, lack of gore, and some cheesy horror tropes along the way, it proves to be an enjoyable film overall.

Jun 19, 2021

Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Walsh's performance as David is so limp that it's difficult to imagine David outwitting any of his victims in the film.

Rated: 1.0/4.0

Sep 24, 2020

Full Review

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precision B

I thought The Stepfather was one of my favorite movies. You just never know who you think you know

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/25

Full Review

Christian M

I liked the performances and the production, but the success of 'David' hinges on making everyone else behave as if they are fantastically stupid, which I find intolerable in a thriller.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

07/21/24

Full Review

Bahad j

I really liked the characters and actions of the actors

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/24

Full Review

angela g

did not hate the movie but i did not like the cliff hanger ending

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

07/04/24

Full Review

Junji Ito's G

There's no way this guy would have gotten away with it all, he made too many mistakes.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/16/24

Full Review

Adrian R

Lacks credibility, especially the ending - watching this is not a good use of your time.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/26/23

Full Review

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Nelson McCormick

Director

Dylan Walsh

David Harris

Sela Ward

Susan Harding

Penn Badgley

Michael Harding

Amber Heard

Kelly Porter

Jon Tenney

Jay

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The Stepfather: Trailer 1

2:27

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Synopsis

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.

Director: Nelson McCormick
Producer: Mark Morgan, Greg Mooradian
Screenwriter: J.S. Cardone
Distributor: Sony Pictures Entertainment
Production Co: Maverick Films, Granada Film Productions, Imprint Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Disturbing Images|Brief Sensuality|Intense Sequences of Violence|Mature Thematic Material)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 16, 2009, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 9, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $29.1M
Runtime: 1h 41m

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