Deadly Friend (1986)

0% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(3,114 ratings)

With the over-the-top gruesomeness of The Re-Animator to compare it to, Wes Craven's Deadly Friend limps into the second tier, coming across as a Frankenstein tale lost on Elm Street. Paul (Matthew Laborteaux) is a teen computer genius who has recently moved to a new town. The quiet and peaceful… More With the over-the-top gruesomeness of The Re-Animator to compare it to, Wes Craven's Deadly Friend limps into the second tier, coming across as a Frankenstein tale lost on Elm Street. Paul (Matthew Laborteaux) is a teen computer genius who has recently moved to a new town. The quiet and peaceful milieu permits him to continue experimenting with his life's work -- a human-like robot named Bee Bee. But Paul becomes smitten with the comely girl next door, Samantha (Kristy Swanson). For Samantha, however, the small-town life is less than quiet and peaceful; she is the victim of an abusive father, who she dreams of killing. During an argument, her father pushes her down the stairs, and she lapses into a coma. Paul, with the help of local paperboy pal Tom (Michael Sharrett), decides to implant Bee Bee's microchips into Samantha's brain to re-animate her back to life. But Samantha, restored to life and with the strength of an inhuman robot, decides to exact vengeance upon her father and the rest of the townspeople who have done her wrong. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 31 min.
Directed By: Wes Craven, Peter Graupner
Written By: Bruce Joel Rubin
Genres: Drama, Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Oct 10, 1986 Wide
On DVD: Sep 25, 2007
Studio: Warner Home Video

Critic Reviews

Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
A Wes Craven misfire in nearly every area.
Blake Davis, KFOR Channel 4 News
One of Wes Craven's worst movies.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Goofball turkey from Wes Craven.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lafe F

Unbelivable, cheesy, tragic and fascinating! An electronics geek (Matthew Laborteaux from "Little House on the Prairie") tries to bring his deceased girlfriend (Kristy Swanson) back to life with parts from his robot project. The life-giving experiment turns her into a… More
Unbelivable, cheesy, tragic and fascinating! An electronics geek (Matthew Laborteaux from "Little House on the Prairie") tries to bring his deceased girlfriend (Kristy Swanson) back to life with parts from his robot project. The life-giving experiment turns her into a monstrous creation to be dealt with named "Bee-Bee". Gosh, this movie has a silly Frankenstein-esque premise, which delivers a cool 80's horror experience. Wes Craven actually directed this post-Elmstreet, so it deserves some attention.
Dr Blood

Very much part of the Frankenstein-genre, this Wes Craven effort is often strangely touching and almost sickly compared with his usual fare.
Dean M

A midding Wes Craven effort, half ingenious <i>Frankenstein</i> re-hash, half-silly teen horror.
Quinto W

I'm sorry, I just can't hate something this cheesy, I don't have it in me. The stupid plot, the awful acting (Kristy Swanson's hands are hilarious) and everything laughable about it just adds to the charm for me.
Lee K

This one that i categorize as my own kinda cheese! U know movies that are over the top cheesy but we love em anyways for some unknown reason? I'm pretty sure however that my main reason here is for Kristy Swanson!
Anthony V

Nice cross between Frankenstein and 80's teen flick, but continues for a bit after it should have ended.
Christopher B

God, Wes Craven sucks. Not even a head being thrown against a wall and smashing like a ripe melon can save this turd. You suck Craven!