The Stepfather (1987) – WTF Really Happened to This Horror Movie?

It’s time for a new episode of the video series WTF Really Happened to This Horror Movie?, and in this one we’re looking into the disturbing, tragic real world events that inspired the classic 1987 horror thriller The Stepfather (watch it HERE). To find out all about it, check out the video embedded above.

WTF Really Happened to This Horror Movie? is sort of a spin-off from our show WTF Happened to This Horror Movie. WTF Really Happened to This Horror Movie? dives into movies that were based on or “inspired by” true stories, real people, and actual historical events so we can try to separate fact from fiction.

Directed by Joseph Ruben from a screenplay by popular crime novelist Donald E. Westlake (who crafted the story with
Carolyn Lefcourt and Death Wish author Brian Garfield), The Stepfather has the following synopsis:

Jerry Blake is a family man, but he happens to have a series of families, with each one on the receiving end of his murderous ways. When Jerry sets his sights on a lovely widow named Susan and her headstrong daughter, Stephanie, it appears that his brutal pattern of killings will continue. However, Stephanie begins to suspect that there’s something wrong with the seemingly well-adjusted Jerry, and a violent confrontation is inevitable.

Terry O’Quinn plays the title character and is joined in the cast by Shelley Hack, Jill Schoelen, Charles Lanyer, Stephen Shellen, Stephen E. Miller, Robyn Stevan, and Jeff Schultz.

This episode of WTF Really Happened to This Horror Movie was Written and Narrated by Andrew Hatfield, Edited by Mike Conway, Produced by Lance Vlcek and John Fallon, and Executive Produced by Berge Garabedian.

The previous episodes of this series focused on Jaws, The Exorcist, The Town That Dreaded Sundown, The Sacrament, The Conjuring 2, and Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer and you can watch a couple of them below. To check out the other shows we have on the JoBlo Horror Originals YouTube channel, head over to the channel – and subscribe while you’re there!

What do you think of The Stepfather? Share your thoughts on this film by leaving a comment!