| The Stepfather | |
|---|---|
&sq=Facebook&lang=en&file=File:Stepfather_1987.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Joseph Ruben |
| Screenplay by | Donald E. Westlake |
| Story by |
|
| Produced by | Jay Benson |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | John W. Lindley |
| Edited by | George Bowers |
| Music by | Patrick Moraz |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | New Century Vista Film Company[1] |
Release date |
|
Running time | 89 minutes |
| Country | United States[1] |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $2.5 million (US)[2] |
The Stepfather is a 1987 American psychological horror film[3] directed by Joseph Ruben and starring Terry O'Quinn, Jill Schoelen, and Shelley Hack. O'Quinn stars as an identity-assuming serial killer who marries a widow with a teenage daughter. Having killed his previous family and changed his identity, his murderous tendencies continue after his stepdaughter becomes suspicious of him. The film is loosely based on the life of mass murderer John List,[4] although the plot is more commonly associated with slasher films of the era. The film was written by Donald E. Westlake, from a story by Westlake, Carolyn Lefcourt and Brian Garfield (the latter of Death Wish fame), with an uncredited rewrite by David Loughery.
The film was theatrically released in the United States on January 23, 1987. It grossed $2.5 million at the box office and was well-received by critics. It has since gained a cult following and was followed by two slasher sequels, Stepfather II (1989) and Stepfather III (1992), and a remake, also called The Stepfather, released in 2009.
- ^ a b c "The Stepfather". American Film Institute. Retrieved 2016-11-06.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
BOMwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "The Stepfather (1987)". WorldFilmGeek. 17 August 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
This tale of a man searching for the 'perfect family' is a very well-done psychological horror film that is driven by the star of the film, Terry O'Quinn. The prologue shows him sporting curly hair, a beard, and glasses and of course covered in blood.
- ^ Ryan, Desmond (December 3, 1989). "How Profitable Sequels Succeed: They Just Bring 'em Back Alive". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2013.