By Melissa Antoinette Garza
There are two type of people in this world; those who watch THE STEPFATHER (1987) and root for the mom (Shelley Hack) & daughter (Jill Schoelen) and then there are horror fans.
This is a fucking classic. I want another a sequel to the OG series where Terry O’Quinn reprises his role in the lead. I need that in my life. The man is amazing. Sadly, I fear some of the people reading have only ever seen the horrendous 2009 remake. To those young horror fans, get that trash out of your mind! Don’t let it turn you off from seeing the original. All the substance, depth, insanity and fun that was missing out of that empty piece of Hollywood trash is right here, and currently it’s on AMAZON PRIME.
The film opens with our protagonist – or as some of you guys will undoubtedly look at him, the villain. Jerry Blake (Terry O’Quinn) on the search for a perfect family. That’s all this poor guy wants is the Ozzie and Harriet dream he was promised on TV. I blame this all on the failed promises of sitcom happiness.
Jerry has no choice but to kill his wife and kids. They just weren’t living up to his expectations. I’ll admit Blake is tough, but goddamn it he’s fair…..wait not fair – homicidal! Yep, that’s the word. He’s tough and also homicidal, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a teddy bear too!
Jerry thankfully overcomes the grief of being a self-induced widow pretty quickly. He marries Susan who comes equipped with teenage daughter Stephanie (Jill Schoelen). Now where many men would not want to take on the role of father, Jerry jumps right in. He even gets her a puppy.
Stephanie is a little bitch about the whole thing and though she’s grateful for the dog, she doesn’t show any respect toward Jerry. She’s all hung up on her dead father, blah, blah, blah. She’s an angry little brat and her nosy therapist, Dr. Bondurant (Charles Lanyer) is increasingly asking too many questions. Someone’s going to have to shut him up!
I wonder if I’m getting the wrong message from this movie ——-nah! Jerry’s a gent! I love him.
Blake does his best to be a good role model. He asks Stephanie to be a little better in school and the first thing that wild child does is get into a fight. She couldn’t get herself in deeper trouble if she tried. I know that because it’s what the teacher says to her and I love that line. I don’t know why. I just do. The teach says it with such snide superiority. She gets expelled and Jerry isn’t happy. He tells her that girls don’t get expelled. Usually, I would point the finger at him for sexism, but considering I’m being so forgiving about the murders it would seem hypocritical. Instead, I’m just going to say that once again sitcom culture warped his perfect little mind. It also didn’t help him develop a healthy sexual appetite as he looks uninterested and isn’t that into sex at all. Really, you can’t blame Susan here. She’s on top and giving it her all, but it just isn’t his thing.
Meanwhile, Blake is not only an amazing stepfather, but he’s a great real estate agent. If only he wouldn’t confuse his current step-daughter for the one he killed while talking to strangers, he’d be all set, but hey nobody can be on the ball 24/7.
Making it even harder on Jerry to move on from killing his old family is that his ex brother-n-law Jim (Stephen Shellen) won’t let it go. He fancies himself a private eye but he’s just a busybody. Why can’t they just leave poor Jerry alone?
No wonder he needs to go down to his workshop and have mild nervous breakdowns where he yells at air. Who wouldn’t? The man is under so much stress! Oh, but holier-than-thou Stephanie can’t let the man blow off a little steam without freaking out and getting suspicious. She even goes as far as to send for pictures of a serial killer to see if the person in question is Blake.
Thankfully, Blake infiltrates the package, but what if he didn’t? Stupid teenagers ruin everything. He bought you a dog, bitch!
I think I’m getting the right message, here.
In the end, it becomes impossible for Jerry to fix Susan and Stephanie. They are just unwilling to be the perfect family. A feud breaks out and they battle it out. One loving and devoted father fighting against two bloodthirsty women that he was just trying to love.
(I also am on Iago’s side in OTHELLO if that helps put any of this review in perspective)
Whether you’re cheering on Jerry or sticking by the normies trying to escape his rage, this film is absolutely marvelous. The performances all around are terrific, but nothing beats O’Quinn. He’s just spectacular. He’s so likable and charming. I honestly find it very difficult to hate him in this or in the direct sequel. There are times in this film that say, “come on, give Jerry a break.” Logically, I know he’s the bad guy, but I don’t know – I just want him to win.
Scared Stiff Rating: 9/10
