Strange Behavior (1981)
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67% of critics liked it
(6 reviews) -
34% of users liked it
(463 ratings)
Dead Kids, aka Strange Behavior, is a creepy exercise from director Michael Laughlin--who conceived this as part one of an abortive "Strange Trilogy" which also included 1983's Strange Invaders. Although lensed in New Zealand, the film is set in a sleepy American town, in which a… More Dead Kids, aka Strange Behavior, is a creepy exercise from director Michael Laughlin--who conceived this as part one of an abortive "Strange Trilogy" which also included 1983's Strange Invaders. Although lensed in New Zealand, the film is set in a sleepy American town, in which a series of gory murders committed by local teenagers are linked to a twisted brainwashing scheme by a deranged behavioral psychologist (note irony please). Despite some humorous details (e.g. one killer dons a Tor Johnson mask) and a nostalgia for '50s pulp horrors (not to mention a fondness for splattery death scenes), the disparate plot elements don't come together as well as they should, failing to live up to the premise's potential for guilty chuckles or gasps of horror. Fiona Lewis is sexually menacing as the mad doc's assistant, but Louise Fletcher's wasted role may make viewers pine for Nurse Ratched. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi
- Directed By
- Michael Laughlin
- Genres
- Mystery & Suspense, Horror
R,
- In Theaters
- Oct 16, 1981 Wide
- On DVD
- Dec 9, 2003
- Studio
- Rhino Home Video
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Both grisly and absurd.
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Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
...a campy B-horror movie with some very funny moments.
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Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
Director Michael Laughlin knows how to set up good, pleasant scares, and the acting is solid.
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Andreas Samuelson, Slasherpool
Oddball, well-made and original take on the 80s teen-slasher genre
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Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
We need more dance numbers. We need more Tangerine Dream.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
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Cast
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Michael Murphy
as Brady
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Louise Fletcher
as Barbara Moorhead
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Dan Shor
as Pete Brady
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Fiona Lewis
as Gwen Parkinson
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Arthur Dignam
as LeSange
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Scott Brady
as Shea
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Dey Young
as Caroline
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Marc McClure
as Oliver
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Charles Lane
as Donovan
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Elizabeth Cheshire
as Lucy
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Beryl TeWiata
as Mrs. Haskell
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Jim Boelsen
as Waldo
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John Clarke
as Alvin
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Sue Moore
as Steak-'n-Shake Waitress
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Lulu Sylbert
as Oliver's Sister
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William Hayward
as Robinson
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Richard Moore
as 1st Construction Worker
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Terry Donovan
as Mr. Brown
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Andrew Glover
as 2nd Construction Worker
