Disturbing Behavior (1998)

32% of critics liked it
(34 reviews)
42% of users liked it
(44,402 ratings)

David Nutter made his directorial debut with this fantasy thriller, attempting a switch on The Stepford Wives premise. The Clark family moves from Chicago to Cradle Bay, and Steve Clark (James Marsden) is cautioned by Gavin Strick (Nick Stahl) about the separating factions at the local high school,… More David Nutter made his directorial debut with this fantasy thriller, attempting a switch on The Stepford Wives premise. The Clark family moves from Chicago to Cradle Bay, and Steve Clark (James Marsden) is cautioned by Gavin Strick (Nick Stahl) about the separating factions at the local high school, where the Blue Ribbons, a club of robotic perfect students, rule. Gavin claims a conspiracy is afoot, and sure enough, he turns into an ultra-perfect himself. Rachel Wagner (Katie Holmes) joins Steve in investigating, and they soon suspect school psychiatrist Dr. Caldicott (Bruce Greenwood), a neuropharmacology specialist. The soundtrack contrasts alternative rock with tunes by Barry Manilow, Wayne Newton, and Olivia Newton-John. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 23 min.
Directed By: David Nutter
Written By: Scott Rosenberg
Genres: Horror, Mystery & Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy

In Theaters: Jul 24, 1998 Wide
On DVD: Aug 14, 2001
Studio: MGM Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Kevin Fiddler, Henderson Home News (Henderson, NV)
Cool kids go crazy -- why don't the nerds ever rise up?
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
Put together by some of the production team responsible for "The X Files," "Behavior" frequently captures the same weird/wacky atmosphere found in some of that series' more lighthearted episodes.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
You know a film's in trouble when it's more fun writing about it than watching it.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

J P

Nothing more than a guilty pleasure. Plus James Marsden was so hot at 22.
Jason S

One of the many teen horror movies to come out after the popularity of Scream. It was ok but nothing memorable.
Dean !

This is a cool teen thriller. Suprised it's not more well know as I only saw it through a recommendation. It's good fun if predictable. Very similar to The Faculty and with a strong cast.
Dean M

Freakish and thriller with a terrifying way to turn its rebellious teens into model citizens - weird!
Deb S

"Hey Teacher! Leave those kids alone!" A handsome young student Steven (James Marsden) who is still suffering from the untimely death of his older brother and his family have just moved from Chicago to an idyllic village in the northwest. As he starts school, Steve finds… More
"Hey Teacher! Leave those kids alone!" A handsome young student Steven (James Marsden) who is still suffering from the untimely death of his older brother and his family have just moved from Chicago to an idyllic village in the northwest. As he starts school, Steve finds the usual cliques, the strangest being a group called "the Blue Ribbons;" they're the handsomest jocks and most beautiful co-eds and seem perfect but have a bad habit of beating people up - and getting away with it. Steve is befriended by a stoner (Nick Stahl) and a punk girl (Katie Holmes) who shares his suspicions about the Blue Ribbons. Once the three realize the reason for the abrupt behavior changes, they must find a way to stop it, before they are next.
Quinto W

I'm sure that when first released in 1998 this movie was just merely awful; now, however, it has the added value of being awfully dated.
Donna D

The movie was ok! Just some weird happenings with Students that are making them elite in some sinister way to unruly teens. Kept me guessing throughout the whole movie, but in the end it was cool.
Ira Z

Nice premise and the movie looked good enough visually. But, as the curse of all teen-centered casts, this movie fails due to B-grade acting.
Lee K

this movie was way cool and kinda had katie holmes fresh from her dawson creek fame as a kinda bad girl, something i would klike to see more from her in the future
Adam M

Nice little indie-ish thriller.