snarlingdogface I never quite understood the hype around the first Stepfather. It shows up on a lot of Top 50 horror lists like Entertainment Weekly. I find the second one to be far more realistic and truer to my own experience with my stepfather. The scene at the wedding was harrowing and definitely conjured up some of my past trauma, the sign of a good stepfather movie. The third one is even more realistic and relatable for me, especially the scene with the woodchipper, but that's a whole other story. In short, this is a strong underrated sequel and better than the original.

Koosh_King01 Despite seeming to be quite dead after being stabbed in the chest and taking a tumble down some stairs at the end of the first film, the titular stepfather, still using his most recent name "Jerry Blake," is incarcerated in an insane asylum. Needless to say, it isn't long before he escapes, murdering his psychiatrist in the process.The stepfather soon moves to California where he starts a new life for himself, and begins searching anew for his perfect family. Posing as a psychiatrist named Gene Clifford, the stepfather begins a romance with Carol Grayland, the real estate agent who sole him his new house. Carol is a recent divorcée with one son, Todd. Ideal for "Gene" to begin setting himself up as husband to Carol and stepfather to Todd.Everything is going swimmingly for Gene until Carol's ex-husband Phil returns and starts trying to get back with her, threatening to edge Gene out. In the meantime, Carol's friend Maddy is suspicious of Gene. She doesn't believe he's actually a psychiatrist, and begins trying to dig up his past. Things being unraveling quickly for him, all headed towards the inevitable disastrous, blood-drenched climax.This was a completely unnecessary (and theoretically impossible!) sequel. Fortunately, it's also quite good, thanks to a fairly good story and of course the acting. Terry O'Quinn returns as Jerry/Gene and delivers the same strong, terrifying-yet-sympathetic performance he did before, and Meg Foster and her gorgeous eyes as Carol is the other half of this doomed romance.

Coventry As far as rapidly produced sequels to unexpected 80's horror sleeper hits go, "The Stepfather II" is as good as it gets. And yes, I really meant that as a positive remark! The original was suspenseful, moody and even somewhat plausible. The sequel is outrageous, campy and absurd, but all that is completely acceptable because sequels are supposed to be like that. When the element of surprise is gone and the plot is as predictable as the weather forecast in Siberia, what else are you supposed to show except grotesque madness and nonsensical horror goodness? But, most of all, this is primarily Terry O'Quinn's big showcase movie. There were he was genuinely creepy and unpredictable in the first movie, he's a mad raving one-man-lunacy show here. The story logically continues where "The Stepfather" ended, only you'll have relish with some far-fetched things that may come across as unreal. Shortly after his initial murder spree, Jerry Blake is alive, kicking and institutionalized. Not only did he survive that stabbing at the end of the original, he only has the tiniest little scar on his chest even though I clearly remember that the blade of the knife was planted in his body for at least three quarters! His escape from the mental asylum is even more implausible, as the stupidest psychiatrist imaginable pretty much breaks all the safety rules ever written and literally begs to be massacred. He moves to a brand new neighborhood where he takes on the identity of a deceased family counselor and purchases a house. Jerry – or Gene, as he is calling himself now - may a lot more psychopathic than he used to be (whenever his anger gets the best of him, he retires to his basement to play with his buzz saw); he nevertheless remains a smooth talking guy who specializes in heartbroken women and confused kids of divorced parents. He seduces the lonely real estate agent Meg Foster (who looks like Kirstie Alley's identical twin sister) and befriends her teenage son in just a matter of days. His obsession to become a model family is interfered twice, though. First Carol's runaway husbands returns to revive their marriage and secondly there's the skeptical best friend Matty. I really liked her character, even though she should have gone to the police a bit quicker instead of playing Sherlock Holmes herself. "The Stepfather II" has a terrific climax! This was the best, hands down, wedding day sequence ever! The husband nearly kills his wife and together they practically destroy the whole building, yet none of the invitees notices a damn thing!

lastliberal I am sure Danny Thomas never thought that "Make Room for Daddy" would be the tag line in a film like this.Terry O'Quinn (John Locke from "Lost") is a slasher/serial killer in a mental hospital. He escapes, and tries to start a normal life.But, that old slasher brain can't handle stress, and his romance with Meg Foster ends badly for him.Not a whole lot of slasher action. Mostly just a small town romance story with a slasher angle that plays in a few times.I really don't know how it could have been done differently, but it just didn't have that sparkle.