Disturbing Behavior

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Disturbing Behavior

R

Released Jul 24, 1998

1h 23m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

Sci-Fi

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Popcornmeter

35%

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40 Reviews

40%

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25,000+ Ratings

Steve Clark (James Marsden) is a newcomer in the town of Cradle Bay, and he quickly realizes that there's something odd about his high school classmates. The clique known as the Blue Ribbons are the eerie embodiment of academic excellence and clean living. But, like the rest of the town, they're a little too perfect. When Steve's rebellious friend Gavin (Nick Stahl) mysteriously joins their ranks, Steve searches for the truth with fellow misfit Rachel (Katie Holmes).

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Paul Tatara

CNN.com

Lots of shots are held for upwards of a minute, too. I know that's not much, but if you're ambitious enough to gain sustenance from something other than nice belly-buttons, you take what you can get.

Feb 5, 2018

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Lisa Schwarzbaum

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B+

Sep 7, 2011

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Globe and Mail

Rated: 3/4

Apr 12, 2002

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Paul Lê

Bloody Disgusting

So while the thematic material here is executed in the most unsubtle manner, it still serves as an important lesson for every generation.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 24, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Disturbing Behavior should have just been called The Stepford Students, since its very existence owes a huge debt to the Ira Levin property.

Rated: 2/4

Nov 7, 2022

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Dustin Putman

TheFrightFile.com

Far from perfect, but in its own flawed way it is perfect to me, entering my life the summer before my senior year in high school and making an impact on me that has increased, rather than lessened, in the nearly two decades since it was made.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 8, 2016

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Julian S

A soulless teen spin on THE STEPFORD WIVES with choppy editing and zero surprises.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/30/25

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Farah R

The Stepford Wives meats teenage rebellion in this underrated sci-fi horror film that had the potential to become a cult classic. The small town setting and delightful 90's aesthetics are an instant nostalgia trigger, and the mediocre acting makes it all the more endearing. I'm not saying it's good, but at least it's original in its own way and not a replica of Scream, like most teen horror flicks released around that time.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

04/16/24

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Melissa L

I thought it was a pretty good, well-acted, and originally-plotted movie. I recommend it.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

04/12/24

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RAYMOND O

I loved this movie. The idea of turning the dregs of society into picture perfect students. But they crack when their teenage angst breaks through when aroused turning them into killing machines. Creepy and fun.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/22/23

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Audience Member

An under-rated movie with a good plot, cast and nice soundtrack. Katie Holmes was hot in this too. Nick Stahl does the best work in the movie though.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

07/31/23

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Forged S

🎶I'm not sick but I'm not well And I'm so hot 'cause I'm in Hell🎵 Traveling back to the late '90s, during the time of teen angst, dreary music and equally dreary weather and the general attitude of, to quote Heath Ledger's Joker, "why so serious?" A time, similar to the '80s, where teenagers still rebelled but THIS TIME it was mostly against society AND their absentee parents. Ahh, how I miss the music of my people... This movie sucked. There I said it. It was corporate trash put out to try and relate to the youth at the time but ultimately, it failed. So it's no wonder that I found out years later that studio interference caused many of it's issues. It's ONLY saving grace was that it introduced Katie Holmes to the masses, and the pubescent hearts of teenage boys. Yet, there is a silver lining. While I hated the movie at the time, I watch it now with the certain fondness of someone much older and presumably wiser. It may not've accurately captured the realistic attitudes of the youth at the time, but it did capture the style of filmmaking that helped define the music video generation. Style over substance, with themes created to make the viewer form their own opinion, so the director didn't have to. Worth a watch, but don't expect anything more than a fun popcorn flick.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/23/23

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David Nutter

Director

James Marsden

Steve Clark

Katie Holmes

Rachel Wagner

Nick Stahl

Gavin Strick

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Synopsis

Steve Clark (James Marsden) is a newcomer in the town of Cradle Bay, and he quickly realizes that there's something odd about his high school classmates. The clique known as the Blue Ribbons are the eerie embodiment of academic excellence and clean living. But, like the rest of the town, they're a little too perfect. When Steve's rebellious friend Gavin (Nick Stahl) mysteriously joins their ranks, Steve searches for the truth with fellow misfit Rachel (Katie Holmes).

Director: David Nutter
Producer: Armyan Bernstein, Jonathan Shestack
Screenwriter: Scott Rosenberg, C.O. Erickson
Distributor: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Buena Vista Pictures, Columbia Tristar
Production Co: Beacon Communications, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Hoyts Distribution, Village Roadshow Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller, Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 24, 1998, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.5M
Runtime: 1h 23m
Sound Mix: Surround, SDDS, Dolby Digital

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