You’ve probably seen the commercials for The Stepfather, a thriller opening this weekend starring Nip/Tuck’s Dylan Walsh in both the title role and in his latest attempt to succeed on the big screen. (By the way, Nip/Tuck’s new, final season begins tomorrow night.)
But you don’t have to wait for Friday. You can see The Stepfather today on DVD. I mean the original, terrific, 1987 version, starring Terry O’Quinn, before he was Locke on Lost, in the title role.
Check out O’Quinn’s cool ominousness here (warning: you get your Locke naked for a little bit here):
Working from a script by the great crime writer Donald E. Westlake, director Joseph Ruben crafted a spiffy tale about a neat, calm murderer who insinuates himself into the lives of his new wife (Shelley Hack, proving she could act well beyond the demands of Charlie’s Angels) and his stepdaughter Jill Schoelen (fun fact: she was engaged to Brad Pitt for three months).
As for the new Stepfather, just judging from this trailer that goes heavy on the additional TV-bait presence of Gossip Girl’s Penn Badgley, I have no idea about its hit potential:
But I do know that the Stepfather that’s out now on DVD is a wonderfully creepy little thriller.
What do you think? Any interest in seeing either Stepfather?
Comments (1-22) of 22 Add your comment
UMMMM…i didn’t expect to see Locke’s pecker! Yikes!
Yeah, the ‘original’ “Step Father’ from 1987 with O’Quinn and Shelley Hack is a horror classic. Hack in my opinion was an underrated actress and proves to me time and time, again, that she was quite good, especially in this one. I can’t wait to get it on DVD for this Halloween!
I’m a big fan of Hack’s performance in The King of Comedy.
YES! YES! YES! I’ve been saying that for years. A far overlooked movie and her performance is killer. In just a couple of scenes she’s as unforgettable as Sandra B.
She wasn’t that good in Charlie’s Angels. She lacked chemistry with Jaclyn & Cheryl (I think I just missed Kate alot). Maybe she needed some quality writing material to show off her acting chops.
I remember loving the original at the time, but I haven’t seen it in ages. I expect the new one won’t be nearly as good.
BTW, if you want to see another early Locke appearance, check out The Rocketeer (where O’Quinn made for a more believable Howard Hughes in 5 minutes than DiCaprio did in 3 hours. lol)
Thanks for jogging my memory on that, David–and The Rocketeer starred Billy Campbell, who also co-starred in Once & Again with Sela Ward, who’s in the new Stepfather: it all connects!
Also “The Cuttng Edge.” He plays Moira Kelly’s father.
I think it’s ironic that O’Quinn kinda looks like Dr. Troy after he shaved.
he also was in the first young guns
LOL this movie use to scare the crap out of me when i was little! CLASSIC!!
I have no plans to see the remake, because the original is just that good. O’Quinn for the win.
I remember being pleasantly surprised by the quality of the original. It will be interesting to read what people have to say about the remake.
when O’Quinn hits Shelly Hack with the phone was one of the most shocking scenes in film for me!
The original “The Stepfather” was great!! No need for a remake. I will not waste my money on it. I will buy the original on DVD.
The original is great. Not my usual type of film, I was convinced to see it and was very surprised how good it is. See it first!
Excellent movie!! It was truly scary to me as a little kid!! Mostly cuz it was almost completely possible!!
Yawn! I sure wish they would have used the original song, ‘Drive’ by The Cars, though!
there was an inferior sequel if i remember too.The black humour and terry’s performance help make it one of my favs- great scary movie
This is horror classic! I am so glad its finally on dvd!
Shelley is from a long line of Hacks
her father is Mr.Hack…I should stop now 
t is said the original is always better and in this case that is right although I do think if it had to be remade/updated dialog and technology for today’s audience that it was done true to form. What made the 1987 original better was the convincing attitude and fantastic “Bing Crosby” soft voice of Terry O’Quinn. I compared the two since I’m such a fan of the first. Really liked Sela Ward’s performance and the ending fight scenes were first class. “Daddy” wants perfection and this fell short.