The Stepfather

Henry Morrison, a maniacal serial killer, begins his story in his bathroom, meticulously preparing to leave his life behind. He shaves, changes his appearance, and packs a suitcase, tragically revealing he has just murdered his wife, daughter, and other relatives.

After completing his gruesome tasks, Henry calmly departs his home, deliberately walking past the remains of his family. He takes a ferry and discards his suitcase into the ocean, symbolizing his attempt to erase his past.

One year later, Henry has assumed a new identity as Jerry Blake, now a real estate agent married to Susan Maine, a widow. Jerry presents himself as a mild-mannered man, but beneath the facade lies a dark past.

Jerry attempts to bond with Susan's teenage daughter, Stephanie, who remains suspicious of him despite his gestures of goodwill, such as giving her a puppy. Their strained relationship becomes the focal point of Jerry's attempts to integrate into the family.

In pursuit of the truth, James 'Jim' Ogilvie, the brother of one of Jerry's victims, begins investigating the whereabouts of his sister's killer. He captures media attention by persuading a local newspaper to write about the elusive murderer.

During a neighborhood barbecue, Jerry discovers the article about himself, leading to a wave of panic and paranoia. Seeking an escape from his overwhelming feelings, he retreats to his basement where his erratic behavior is witnessed by Stephanie.

Stephanie's suspicion of Jerry deepens when she discovers an article about Henry Morrison, fueled by her mother's outdated warnings. She begins to collect information, convinced that Jerry is hiding his violent past.

As tensions mount, Jerry confronts Dr. Bondurant, who has contacted him under a false identity. This encounter escalates into violence when Jerry, fearing exposure, brutally kills the psychiatrist to protect his secrets.

After murdering Dr. Bondurant, Jerry informs Stephanie of the psychiatrist's supposed accident, using the news to manipulate their relationship further. He aims to create a sense of trust to maintain control over her.

Jerry's paranoia escalates after witnessing Stephanie share a kiss with her boyfriend, Paul. Unable to cope with his fears of losing control, he lashes out, leading to a heated conflict with both Susan and Stephanie.

In a desperate attempt to escape his unraveling life, Jerry adopts a new identity as Bill Hoskins in hopes of starting fresh elsewhere. However, he remains fixated on eliminating Susan and Stephanie to ensure his new life remains uncontested.

Jim Ogilvie, determined to find justice for his family's tragedy, tracks Jerry down to his new location. He starts to dig further into Jerry's new life, uncovering signs that could link him to the murders.

In a gripping climax, Jerry ambushes Jim when he arrives at the house, fatally stabbing him. As the chaos ensues, Jerry turns his fury toward Stephanie, leading to a brutal struggle that tests their limits.

In a moment of unexpected bravery, Stephanie fights back against Jerry, injuring him. The chaotic struggle propels them into the attic, where Jerry's relentless pursuit continues until an accident brings him down.

In a thrilling conclusion, Susan awakens, armed with Jim's gun, and shoots Jerry, saving Stephanie. The final confrontation sees a defiant Stephanie stab Jerry with his own knife, symbolizing her reclaiming her power over the terrifying ordeal.