The Stepfather 1987

The film commences in a quiet Bellevue neighborhood, where Henry Morrison, a calculating serial killer with a talent for deception, meticulously prepares to shed his former identity. In the midst of this transformation, he nonchalantly passes the gruesome remnants of his slaughtered family - Vicki, Jill, and two adult relatives - whom he had brutally murdered earlier. As he exits his house, the weight of his past actions seems to be momentarily lifted, as if the very act of leaving it all behind has allowed him to momentarily forget the horrors he has committed.

Fast-forward one year, and Henry (now posing as Jerry Blake, a mild-mannered real estate agent) has married Susan Maine, the widow of his previous victim. His relationship with her teenage daughter Stephanie is strained, as she remains deeply suspicious of her new stepfather’s intentions, despite his occasional displays of kindness - such as gifting her a puppy. After a session with her psychiatrist, Dr. Bondurant, who advises her to give Jerry a chance, Stephanie is driven home by him, where he suggests they work together to strengthen their bond and improve her academic performance at school, where she’s been struggling.

Meanwhile, in Seattle, Jim Ogilvie, a vigilante drifter and amateur detective, who happens to be the brother of one of Henry’s previous victims - Vicki - convinces a reporter to run an exposé on the serial killer responsible for his sister’s demise. Back at home, Jerry is hosting a neighborhood barbecue when he stumbles upon the article, his eyes widening with unease as he reads about his own crimes. Excusing himself from the festivities, Jerry retreats to the basement of the house, where he begins to mutter to himself, lost in thought (possibly recalling the traumas of his unhappy childhood). Unbeknownst to him, Stephanie has slipped into the basement unnoticed, only to discover her stepfather’s dark past and the true identity of Henry Morrison. As Jerry emerges from his reverie, he dismisses his outbursts as mere stress relief, but it’s clear that the walls are closing in around him.

As the mail arrives at their doorstep, Stephanie’s curiosity gets the better of her. She pens a letter to the local newspaper, requesting a photograph of Henry Morrison, but little does she know that Jerry has already gotten his hands on it. With cunning precision, he hides the photo from her, opting instead to conceal the truth while she’s occupied with Dr. Bondurant. Meanwhile, Jerry’s own psyche is in turmoil as he contemplates taking drastic measures against Susan and Stephanie, but the sound of Susan’s voice calling out to him, announcing a phone call from Dr. Bondurant, snaps him back to reality.

Jerry’s instincts tell him that something is amiss, so when Dr. Bondurant calls again, this time under an assumed identity as Ray Martin, Jerry is wary. As they schedule a meeting at the real estate agency, Stephanie unwittingly stumbles upon a fabricated photo of Henry Morrison, carefully planted by Jerry to mislead her. Her suspicions are effectively neutralized, and she remains oblivious to the truth.

As Jerry’s meeting with Dr. Bondurant progresses, his mistrust grows. The psychiatrist’s probing questions about his home life only serve to heighten Jerry’s suspicions, leading him to confront the man who claims to be Ray Martin. In a sudden and brutal outburst, Jerry delivers a vicious beating with a 2”x4” board, ultimately killing Dr. Bondurant.

As news of the doctor’s supposed car accident spreads, Jerry seizes the opportunity to present himself as the grieving stepfather. He shares the tragic news with Stephanie, who is devastated by the loss. As they bond over their shared sorrow, Jerry’s relationship with his stepdaughter begins to flourish, but it ultimately proves fleeting.

The revelation of Stephanie and her boyfriend Paul Baker’s intimate moment sets off a chain reaction of events that leaves Jerry feeling betrayed and enraged. His accusations against Paul lead to a heated argument between the trio, resulting in Stephanie storming off. Realizing all hope of a harmonious life with Susan and Stephanie has been extinguished, Jerry abandons his job and creates a new identity for himself as Bill Hoskins.

He sets his sights on a fresh start, applying for an insurance agency position in another town. As he begins to woo a new widow, Jerry’s mind remains consumed by his desire to rid himself of Susan and Stephanie, plotting their downfall with calculated precision.

As Jim Ogilvie’s relentless search for his estranged brother-in-law reaches its climax, he finally tracks Jerry down to their shared hometown. With Susan’s unwitting assistance, Jerry becomes aware of Jim’s inquiry, only to feign confusion and innocence when confronted about his whereabouts. But as the facade begins to crumble, Jerry’s dual identities - Jerry Blake and Bill Hoskins - become increasingly muddled, leading him to lash out at Susan in a fit of rage. Following this brutal outburst, Jerry sets his sights on the family puppy, but instead finds himself preparing to strike Stephanie when she returns home.

Jim’s timely arrival at the doorstep sparks a chain reaction of events that plunges the household into chaos. As Jim enters the house, Jerry seizes the opportunity to ambush him, exploiting the familiarity between them to deadly effect. The sudden turn of events leaves Jim reeling, and as he falls victim to Jerry’s brutal attack, Susan - who had miraculously regained consciousness - finds herself in a desperate bid to intervene.

As Jerry corners Stephanie in the attic, his malevolent intentions are thwarted once more by Susan’s valiant efforts. With Jim’s gun now in her possession, Susan fires twice at Jerry, striking him with precision. But even as he lies wounded, Jerry still manages to muster one final assault on Stephanie, only to be met with a swift and merciless counterattack. As the dust settles, Jerry utters a haunting declaration of love to his stepdaughter before succumbing to his injuries, his descent down the stairs marking the end of a reign of terror that will forever scar those who survived it.

In the aftermath of this brutal confrontation, Stephanie takes a moment to reflect on her tumultuous relationship with Jerry, finding solace in the simple act of cutting down the birdhouse they had once shared. As the credits roll, the haunting legacy of Jerry’s destructive path continues to reverberate, leaving behind only the faintest glimmer of hope for redemption and healing.