The Stepfather
underrate 1987 psychological slasherThe Stepfatherfeatures the perfect ending to Jerry Blake ’s story , but the sequels completely destroy it . To most people , effected character actorTerry O’Quinnis best have it away for playing the mysterious John Locke on the hit ABC dramaLost . That ’s certainly the role that finally made O’Quinn a household name , at least for a clip , but to horror fan , O’Quinn will always be most associated with the title role in director Joseph Ruben ’s filmThe Stepfather .
The Stepfatherwas by no way a box seat agency overhead , take in only $ 2.4 million in theatre . While that ’s $ 2.4 million in 1987 money , so not quite as abyssal as it sounds by today ’s standards , it was still scarcely a windfall . That say , reviews from critics were mostly quite good , based primarily on O’Quinn ’s catch operation . The plastic film found an audience on abode video , leading to O’Quinn ’s return in 1989 sequelStepfather 2,sometimes subtitledMake way for Daddy . A third photographic film was also released in 1992 , this prison term without O’Quinn .
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WhileStepfather 2has its buff , critics detest it , and it did even worse at thebox office staff . Stepfather 3,meanwhile , is just downright tremendous , and most choose to hazard it never happened . Neither continuation was really necessary , and their very existence negated the original movie ’s great ending .
The Stepfather’s Perfect Ending Was Ruined by Pointless Sequels
For those unfamiliar , The Stepfatherstars O’Quinn as a in series killer in search of the stark family , which he weigh to be something resembling how the fifties are portrayed in pop culture . The slayer , who goes by the name Jerry Blake in the film , although that ’s revealed to be one of many false name he ’s used , charms his elbow room into the lives of a exclusive mamma . Things then go well for a while , but since people are n’t perfect , Jerry eventually grows discomfited , and takes out his anger by defeat his current kin , interchange up his appearance , make a novel identity , and doing the whole bicycle all over again . He ’s already gone through multiple kin by the meter the photographic film begins .
Near the oddment ofThe Stepfather , Jerry ’s charade is beginning to settle aside , thanks to a rebellious and inquisitive stepdaughter named Stephanie , and Jim Ogilvie , the brother - in - law of one of his past victim . In preparation for his coming change to yet another identicalness , Jerry set out seeing a new single mom in a nearby surface area , calling himself Bill Hodgekins . At one point he blank out which identity he ’s supposed to be at that moment , and attack his current wife Susan in a paroxysm of rage . To further rarify things , Jim shows up just long enough to be killed by Jerry , Dick Hallorann - style . Jerry then sets out to begin toss off Susan and Stephanie , only for Susan to shoot Jerry with Jim ’s gun , and Stephanie to stab him straight in the dresser with a knife . He blend in falling backwards down the step , and is very understandably dead .
Jerry ’s death at the hands of his latest would - be victim was a great close toThe Stepfather ’s story , bring in the film full circle , as it began with Jerry leaving behind the blinking aftermath of his premature family . It ’s hard to imagine a better , more definitive conclusion toThe Stepfather , but unfortunately the desire for money won out , andStepfather 2happened . While O’Quinn is still adept in it , as is a youngJonathan Brandis , the film is an almost note for annotation retread of the first motion-picture show , this clock time with a Logos rather of a daughter . It also lazily retcons Jerry ’s onscreen dying , having him locked in an mental institution after " somehow " surviving being stabbed and bourgeon , despite being a non - supernatural baddie . Stepfather 3muddies things further , explaining O’Quinn ’s absence with plastic surgery . Hollywood really need to con to leave well - enough alone .
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