Infamousta brilliant actors, brilliant editing

Dynamixor The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

Cassandra Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Jerrie It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

moonspinner55 Abysmal follow-up to 1987's critically-acclaimed sleeper hit (with a title which might be read as "Stepfather Eleven" if one is not too careful) has Terry O'Quinn's serial "family killer" escaping from the loony-bin and setting up shop in Southern California under the guise of a home therapist. As written by John Auerbach, this cool-and-cruel, potentially magnetic character has uncomfortably taken on some Freddy Krueger-like characteristics, tossing off dark-humored quips while dispatching the suspicious. O'Quinn plays the part like a warped variation of Pat Boone (he even sounds like Boone!)--yet, without a taut script, he is stranded in a juiceless suburban rut. The opening moments at the Pugent Sound mental institution are almost a complete loss (with ugly sets), and the scenario hardly improves from there. Performances supporting O'Quinn are fine, while the star is worth watching even if the flick is ultimately a dud. *1/2 from ****

acidburn-10 The first Stepfather film is a classic in the slasher/thriller genre thanks mainly to it's incredible performance from Terry O' Quinn, and coming back for more in this fun ride.The plot = Not all that different from before, The Stepfather now sitting comfortably in an insane asylum, breaks loose and sets his sights on a new family."Stepfather II" is a mixed bag in my opinion, although it is fun but could have been better, The plot is somewhat thin and follows too closely at times along the same path as the original film and the pacing is a little off at times, but this movie still manages to be interesting at the same time and boasts a decent cast with strong supporting performances from Meg Foster who plays the new would be wife with her stunning blue eyes and is always a delight to watch and Caroline Williams as the best friend, giving a really likable performance and has great chemistry with the cast and even the late Jonathan Brandis who plays the sun really shines in one of his early Roles, but off course is Terry O-Quinn who steals the show yet again.Another aspect I liked that this time round the body count is upped, But unfortunately lacks anything stands out and the pacing is drawn out Too much and the plot wasn't developed as well as it could have been. It Did face production constraints, but it's too similar to the original Film, but the ending was interesting, the wedding scene is definitely a Stand out and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time.All in all a decent follow up not quite on the level of the first one but overall a decent follow up, could have been a lot worse.

wes-connors Seeking new blood after "The Stepfather" (1987), marriage-minded Terry O'Quinn (as Jerry Blake) escapes from a Washington insane asylum and takes on the identity of a cozy Southern California psychiatrist. Feeling neighborly, Mr. O'Quinn (as Gene F. Clifford) warms up attractive divorcée Meg Foster (as Carol Grayland) and cute skateboarder son Jonathan Brandis (as Todd). After O'Quinn gets rid of young Brandis' returning father Mitchell Laurance (as Phil Grayland), it looks like a new family will form, but Ms. Foster's suspicious pal Caroline Williams (as Matty Crimmins) smells a rat... ***** Stepfather II (11/3/89) Jeff Burr ~ Terry O'Quinn, Meg Foster, Caroline Williams, Jonathan Brandis

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!