Bad Ronald

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Bad Ronald

1974

1h 14m

Mystery & Thriller

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Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

67%

Tomatometer

6 Reviews

56%

Popcornmeter

500+ Ratings

A family moves into a Victorian house, unaware of a secret room hiding a teenage killer (Scott Jacoby).

Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

There is no doubt that movies made since then have been affected, directly or otherwise, by Bad Ronald.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 8, 2024

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

The '70s was a fertile breeding ground for ominous made-for-television movies that continue to stumble around in the minds of those who came of age during that decade. Bad Ronald is one such endeavor.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 14, 2019

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John Beifuss

Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Offers a non-supernatural variation on the idea that something sinister haunts the conventional family home, lurking within the walls and behind the 'normal' furnishings -- and relationships.

Rated: 3/4

Sep 16, 2011

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Ryan Cracknell

Movie Views

Although it's hampered by rushed pacing and some plot contrivances, Bad Ronald isn't actually that bad.

Sep 27, 2009

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Daniel M. Kimmel

Worcester Telegram & Gazette

Rated: 3/5

May 14, 2004

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Rated: 2/5

Dec 23, 2003

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Go T

I am firmly on Ronald's side. Calling him "bad" in the title colors our perception before we even get to know him. He is a folk hero for the ages; someone way more ethical than Luigi. Imagine if Ronald was more photogenic. EVERYBODY would be on his side, instead of just the occasional oddball like me.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/18/24

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Trieva P

Bad Ronald is my favorite made for TV movie. I've seen it so many times I almost know it word for word. The acting is great and the story super interesting and original. Lots of memorable scenes and lines. Mother!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Surprisingly tense for a 70s TV movie. The whole story gets fast forwarded a little, but it's genuinely creepy, with the whole terror silently hiding in the walls angle. Really goes a long way to attack the facade of the tranquil suburban family home.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/11/21

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Audience Member

This film is brilliant, okay the acting isnt the best, but the story makes up for it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/24/23

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Audience Member

You wouldn't expect a TV movie from the mid-70s to be this creepy and unsettling, but it succeeds. Scott Jacoby does a good job as Ronald, making him seem like a poor pathetic loser one minute and a crazed maniac the next and never breaking stride. If you can hunt this down, you're in for a blood free but nevertheless terrifying good time.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Bad Ronald came out when TV movies were a new thing, so it's possible that the genre wasn't as developed as it is today. However, that is no excuse to pardon the movie's flaws. It's silly, yet dark at the same time, and is extremely quirky in eccentric ways.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Buzz Kulik

Director

Scott Jacoby

Ronald Wilby

Pippa Scott

Mrs. Wood

John Larch

Sgt. Lynch

Dabney Coleman

Mr. Wood

Kim Hunter

Elaine Wilby

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Synopsis

A family moves into a Victorian house, unaware of a secret room hiding a teenage killer (Scott Jacoby).

Director: Buzz Kulik
Producer: Philip Capice
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Aug 18, 2009
Runtime: 1h 14m

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