Tubi Terrors - The Stepfather & Open 24 Hours

(Tubi Terrors is a somewhat reoccurring series about horror movies that can be streamed for free on Tubi.)

---

THE STEPFATHER

The first time I ever heard about The Stepfather was when I saw the remake in 2009. I remember thinking it was cool that it had been remade, and I probably told myself I’d seek out the original at some point. Nearly 12 years later, while scrolling through Tubi, I found the original and finally watched it.

Released in 1987 The Stepfather is about Jerry Blake who, after murdering his wife and children, changes his identity and remarries a single mother in the next town over hoping to create the perfect family with her and her daughter. The movie is loosely inspired by John List who murdered his family, fled, and did exactly what Jerry does in the movie: changed his identity and remarried. It wasn’t until an America’s Most Wanted episode aired 18 years later that List was arrested and charged.

Don’t go in expecting the The Stepfather to be a blood-filled slasher because it’s not. The movie is driven by the characters and not the kills, which is one thing I really like about it. The beginning of the movie starts with Jerry, known then as Henry, trimming a grown beard and cutting his hair. This newly clean cut looking man leaves a blood soaked house to start a new life elsewhere. There’s never a real answer given as to why he murdered them, only implied that they weren’t the perfect family. Now as Jerry’s new wife Susan and her daughter Stephanie begin to suspect there’s something wrong, his psyche begins to crumble and it builds suspense that is paid off with a creepy scene towards the end.

I can’t talk about this movie without discussing Terry O’Quinn’s acting as Jerry. There isn’t really much I can say other then that the role scared me, made me uncomfortable at times, and was perfect. The quick switch between being a psychopath and a family man all in one scene is impressive. If there’s one thing that makes me want to watch the movie again, it’s O’Quinn’s acting and the final delivery of lines from him in the movie.

The Stepfather has two sequels that are also available to stream on Tubi. The second brings back Terry O’Quinn and is basically a recycled plot of the first movie, but isn’t that bad. Beware of the third installment, and watch the 2009 remake at least once.

3.5/5

OPEN 24 HOURS

Premiering at Fantastic Fest in 2018, Open 24 Hours is a brutal horror movie that pushes the boundaries of what is and isn’t real.

After being released from prison for setting her murderer ex-boyfriend on fire, Mary gets a job at a 24-hour gas station with the help of her parole officer and support of her best friend. However throughout the day leading up to her first graveyard shift, it’s clear that Mary is still haunted by her past and this paranoia could have a serious affect on her new job. With help from a coworker, Mary learns the ins and outs of working the gas station overnight. During her first shift, Mary has to fight through hallucinations, prank phone calls, and figuring out what’s real and what isn’t, as she’s stalked by a hooded figure she assumes is her ex-boyfriend.

Open 24 Hours is a well acted movie with characters that you can sympathize with and root for, aside from one cringe-worthy parole officer. I liked this movie. There were times where it felt like it was too long and conflict wasn’t wrapping up as quickly as it should. The play into Mary’s paranoia, and psyche with having to continuously guess what’s real and isn’t was tense sometimes. Though it started to feel repetitive, which lead to that feeling of it lasting too long.

Open 24 Hours is filled with gore and has some good kills. Again, I liked the movie. There’s a sense of isolation since it takes place in one location and when you add the paranoia surrounding the lead character, it’s a good movie that just was a tad too long.

3.5/5

** The films listed above may, or may not still be available to stream on Tubi.