IMDb 5.6 2009 HD

The Stepfather

The Stepfather

2009
Horror Thriller
101 min PG-13 USA
5.813 / 10
5.6 IMDB

Michael Harding returns home from military school to find his mother happily in love and living with her new boyfriend, David. As the two men get to know…

Personnel // Cast & Crew

Director Nelson McCormick / Mike Smith / Michael Lee Phillips Jr. / James Moran
Starring
Dylan Walsh / Sela Ward / Penn Badgley / Amber Heard / Sherry Stringfield / Paige Turco / Jon Tenney / Nancy Linehan Charles

How Viewers Describe This Film

Common themes and sentiments

suspenseful unsettling intriguing tense predictable well-acted chilling concerning dramatic effective standard

Reviews

S
Sophia Chen
May 1, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

In 'The Stepfather', the unsettling nature of a seemingly perfect new family member is brought to the fore. Penn Badgley as Michael Harding is the audience's eyes and ears, his growing suspicion of David, played by Dylan Walsh,…

C
Charles Peterson
May 1, 2026
4.0 / 5
4.0

A masterclass in building suspense, The Stepfather is a gripping watch that preys on our deepest anxieties about family and trust. Penn Badgley delivers a nuanced performance as Michael, the observant son who senses something is deeply wrong…

I
Isabelle Dubois
May 1, 2026
2.5 / 5
2.5

The Stepfather offers a familiar yet occasionally engaging exploration of familial distrust. Penn Badgley’s portrayal of a son harbouring deep suspicions about his mother's new boyfriend, David, is the film's strongest asset. Dylan Walsh brings a certain charisma…

M
Marcus Thorne
May 1, 2026
3.5 / 5
3.5

This iteration of The Stepfather delivers a solid dose of suburban dread. The central premise, a son's suspicion of his mother's charming new partner, is expertly handled, building tension with each seemingly innocent interaction. Dylan Walsh is compelling…

E
Eleanor Vance
May 1, 2026
3.0 / 5
3.0

The Stepfather attempts to rekindle the chills of domestic suspense, and for the most part, it succeeds. Penn Badgley anchors the film as the increasingly wary son, Michael, whose unease with his mother's new beau, David, played by…

FAQs

The narrative is largely driven by Michael's perspective, making his investigation into David the primary focus. While David is presented as a helpful and charming figure, the film's suspense comes from the audience questioning his authenticity. Therefore, the film offers a character study of David through the lens of Michael's growing distrust, gradually revealing layers that challenge initial perceptions rather than providing a straightforward exploration from David's point of view.