Stephanie (2017)

Simply A Masterpiece

The biggest problem with this movie is it’s a little better than you think it might be, which somehow makes it worse. As in, it takes itself a bit too seriously, which makes most of the movie feel kind of dull.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This feels like a prequel for Elfen lied. it is the same story, same powers, on girls too, Like the anime could have happen in the same time or after they're released. Anyone else felt this?

I genuinely enjoyed this movie. It was a bit different than I expected -- the reviews I read described scenes that are no longer in the film. Apparently the movie initially cut back and forth between Stephanie at home alone, and what was happening in the outside world. Limiting the story to the house and to Stephanie is a definite improvement. Heck, just watching little Stephanie preparing her meals in the adult-supervision-definitely-required kitchen was terrifying. At least one review on here mentions unresolved plot lines that were most definitely covered, so I wonder if even the reviews here are spanning different versions. Personally, I thought it was an enjoyable movie. Sure, the story has been told before, but it's a good story, told well. I thought things began to drag a bit once Stephanie's parents arrived and tried to bring things back to normal, but not so much that I lost interest in what was happening. I was particularly impressed by the acting of her mother (Anna Torv). Frank Grillo as the father struck me as rather wooden and one-note in his role, especially when it was time for his character to show some genuine pain and sorrow. And Shree Crooks was incredible -- particularly given that a goodly portion of this film is a one-kid show... just her, the stuffed toy turtle Francis and... well... ugh. You'll have to watch it to find out who else (or what else) might be keeping sweet little Stephanie company.

As a horror film, "Stephanie" was very slow in developing as it opened with a protracted sequence of a little girl struggling in the kitchen to make a smoothie in a blender. In appeared as though she might be a latch-key child and that this film would be recycling "Home Alone." Then, there was a plot twist that turned this bizarre drama into a most unpleasant film viewing experience.If there is a theme to the film, it might be summarized in the expression "the beast within." Apparently, a worldwide epidemic of monsters has invaded the psychés of young kids, destroying the moral and physical fabric of planet earth in the shape of what should be our future: our children. Much of the film's action is left vague with the nebulous "protocol" that is recommend for parents to deal with their unruly children. Other loose plot strands included what ever happened to Mr. Hooper? And why did little Stephanie suddenly turn on her little bro Paul?The film is worth comparing to a far superior Twilight Zone episode from 1961. The program is titled "It's a Good Life," and it includes an unforgettable performance by little Billy Mumy as a child with vast mental powers and who is not afraid to use them. This 30-minute television episode packed a greater emotional punch than the entirety of "Stephanie." The main difference was that in the creepy Billy Mumy character, we had a springboard for transforming the adults into exactly what they deserve, such as the memorable jack-in-the-box man. By contrast, the poor mother and father of "Stephanie" are victims who are more sinned against than sinning.The most interesting character in the film was the father figure, who genuinely cared about his daughter. In ancient Greek drama and mythology, there were timeless stories about parents and their children that resonated with universal psychological insights, such as the Oedipus archetype. "Stephanie" included no insights. It was pure sensationalism, superficial, and forgettable.

This film failed to deliver as a whole but there are aspects of this movie that showed great promise. The acting was above par along with cinematography and special effects but the storyline and sequences unfold so slow I mean the little girl is basically alone and talking to herself for the first half of the movie. We get a lot of character study but not much character building. It's not a scary film as hard as it tries everything just comes across as imaginary. Way to many scenes that weren't needed. I would have to say this film isn't something worth watching.. I give it a POOR MOVIE RATING.