Stephen King Loves This Brutal 80s Horror Film (Now Streaming for Free)

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Stephen King, known for his exceptional storytelling skills, is a prolific creator with an abundance of ideas. Not only does he consistently release his own work, but he’s also supportive of other creators. For instance, the British Film Institute asked King to name eight movies he admires most. Eagerly accepting the challenge, he wrote an essay highlighting some films he greatly appreciates. Unsurprisingly, all of his choices are horror movies. One of King’s picks is “The Stepfather,” a 1987 film directed by Joseph Ruben. This chilling movie is highly regarded by both fans and critics and was inspired by a true crime story about a murderous stepfather.

Stephen King Counts This ’80s Horror FIlm as a Personal Favorite

In his essay for the British Film Institute, King highlights a few standout films he adores, such as “The Changeling” and Steven Spielberg’s “Duel.” The concluding part of his BFI essay transitions from his admiration for the suspenseful highway horror film “The Hitcher” to his appreciation for “The Stepfather.

Speaking of chilling characters appearing unexpectedly, there’s “The Stepfather,” starring Terry O’Quinn. He plays a charismatic yet murderous psychopath in search of a family to win over. There’s a memorable scene where he suddenly goes blank and asks, “Say, who am I this time?” only to follow it up by brutally attacking his wife with a telephone.

Audience members are likely to recognize the reference King is making here, as it’s a nod to the well-known dialogue where the main character, Jerry Blake (played by O’Quinn), finds himself struggling to remember his new identity, having previously killed his last family, and now seems determined to rectify his mistakes in the future.

The movie “The Stepfather” begins by revealing the initial persona of the protagonist, Henry Morrison, following a tragic event where his family was fatally attacked in a violent fit. We meet him afterwards, when he is cleaning his bloodied hands and hastily leaving the horrific crime scene.

Where is The Stepfather available to watch online?

Supporters and reviewers often view the movie “The Stepfather” as a genuine timeless masterpiece, blending traditional slasher tropes with a deeply unsettling storyline reminiscent of real-life events. The film borrows some elements from the crimes committed by John List, a man who was convicted for murdering his entire family in 1971. Afterward, he assumed a new identity and managed to evade capture until authorities apprehended him after airing a profile about him on “America’s Most Wanted“.

Initially, “The Stepfather” film was modestly successful at the box office, earning around $2.5 million. Subsequently, two more films in the series were produced. The reception towards the second movie was mixed among fans and critics, while the third installment generally received negative feedback. A remake of the film by Nelson McCormick came out in 2009, but both fans and critics felt let down by the reimagining. Many believe it fails to capture the suspenseful atmosphere that made the original so impactful. The 1987 version was highly praised by critics, boasting an impressive 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, the remake has a less favorable 13% rating on the site. At this time, there are no plans for another installment in the series, but we’ll keep you updated if anything changes.

Indeed, here’s the scoop. Renowned author Stephen King has a soft spot for the movie “The Stepfather”. This highly esteemed writer holds the film in high regard and even considers it as one of his top picks across all genres, not just horror films. What’s more, you can stream this movie on several different streaming platforms.

If King finds “The Stepfather” intriguing and wants to watch it himself, he has multiple platforms where he can stream the movie. Currently, “The Stepfather” is available on Tubi, Roku Channel, FandangoNow, Crackle, Philo, Plex, and Amazon Prime Video.

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2025-04-30 03:10