October Horror Challenge - Disturbing Behavior (1998)

For the "Teen Angst" prompt I thought I'd go with one of my favorite 90's teen horror/thrillers. I was initially going to go with The Faculty, I decided to go with a movie I feel is underrated, Disturbing Behavior. 

Plot

After his brother's suicide, Steve Clark (played by James Marsden) and his family move to the town of Cradle Bay. He soon realizes something is off. A high school club called the Blue Ribbons seem like the perfect students and kids, but something is off about them. When his new friend, Gavan, joins their ranks he teams up with their mutual friend Rachel to discover the truth.

Review

This movie is more thriller than horror, but still quite entertaining. There are definitely some nods to films like The Stepford Wives. I love the cast. James Marsden is a good likable guy. Nick Stahl is fantastic as his misfit turned Blue Ribbon new best friend. Honestly he's the true highlight of the movie. Katie Homes is a nice love interest, though its weird to see her as "trash." Two standouts to me are Bruce Greenwood as the evil Doctor Caldicot, the creator of the Blue Ribbon's perfection, and William Sadler as the school's janitor. Sadler's character appears to have a developmental disability, but he's actually quite brilliant and and just pretends to be slow. He has one of my favorite lines in the flick:

Haven't you ever wanted to just disappear, lunch boy? Poof, you're gone? You'd be surprised how interesting people become when they think you're really stupid.

The actors playing the Blue Ribbons are all menacing and play the part well. Oh and a young Katharine Isabelle (Ginger Snaps, American Mary) plays Steve's young sister.

The flick has a great soundtrack which includes Flagpole Sitta.

The movie isn't perfect though. I have a lot of questions about the ending. What happens to the town? There's a high body count. Also, Steve and the teens that escape aren't adults. How are they going to start a new life? She went willingly, but technically he kidnapped his little sister. These bits aside, I think this is a fun creepy movie. It's not brilliant, but it's enjoyable.

In Your Game

The film ends showing Nick Stahl's Gavin Strick has survived and become a teacher. I've thought it would be cool to incorporate him into a game. For the purposes of these stats we assume that Gavan felt education wasn't enough to change students for the better and started studying medicine. This led him to getting Doctor Caldicott's research and recreating the Blue Ribbons technology. 

Gavin Stick (Humanoid)
Armor Class: 14

Hit Dice: 40 HP (5 HD)

Move: 12

Actions: 2
Attack: Handgun (d6+1)

Special:  Blue Ribbon Technology, outsmart (2/day)

Bonuses: +2 to Melee attacks

Alignment: Righteous (in his own mind at least)

Morale: 8

Madness: 4 (12)

Terror: -
HDE: 2

Items: Nice clothes, pistol, laptop

Blue Ribbon Technology: When sexually aroused Gavan must make a Mental Saving Throw or go into a psychotic rage lasting for 1d6 rounds. During this time he has advantage on all Melee attacks and rolls related to Strength. He also gains Toughness +3.

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First Time View: 2

Total Watched (Including Non-Challenge Horror Movies): 9