'Stepfather' rings in Halloween season

A remake of a 1987 film of the same name, "The Stepfather" delivers thrills and slight scares, just in time for the Halloween season.

The film stars Michael (played by Penn Badgley of "Gossip Girl"), who has recently returned from a stint in military school only to find his mother (Sela Ward) with her new husband-to-be, the amicable but mysterious David (played by "Nip/Tuck's" Dylan Walsh). All seems well as Michael tries to become friendly with his stepdad-to-be; but, that would be a boring film, wouldn't it? Instead Michael, along with his girlfriend Kelly (played by Amber Heard) and his father Jay (played by Jon Tenney), discovers that the mysterious David may have a sordid past, that could endanger all of their lives.

Though the set-up of the film seems to resemble that of "Disturbia," "The Stepfather" moves along a more traditional route than "Disturbia"'s voyeuristic one. The film's plot goes from the average introductions of soon-to-be-stepfather and son, to suspicion that David's not who he says he is. Like all thriller films, Michael must overcome everyone's perceptions of David to reveal the truth about him, but of course is met with obstacles. Then at last, villain David's series of psychotic behavior finally comes out and proves the hero in a dramatic climax. Although the film's setup of events, the action sequences prove to be intense and somewhat inventive especially with the dangling circular saw.

The film's ending doesn't tie up the film with a nice little bow, but suggests that the pattern of David's deceptive ways can live on to haunt another family, which, depending on whether one enjoys this film, could be a good thing. After all, the original 1987 film spawned two sequels.

The performances in this film, as with all formulaic thriller films, prove to be only so-so, with Badgely as the relatable, down-to earth teenage boy, Heard as the hot girlfriend and Ward as the blissfully, unaware mother. But, the performance that draws the most attention here is definitely Walsh, who channels a "Jack Torrance" type of performance as a crazed man set on getting what he wants, and even more set on getting rid of those in his way. There is even a moment in the film's climax where you can imagine Walsh's David to scream "Here's Johnny!" But his performance definitely is entertaining role, especially when he acts circles around the other characters.