Disturbing Behaviour (1998)
"Disturbing Behavior" (original title)

The new kid in town stumbles across something sinister about the town's method of transforming its unruly teens into upstanding citizens.

Director:

David Nutter

Writer:

Scott Rosenberg

Stars:

James Marsden, Katie Holmes, Tobias Mehler

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James Marsden	...	Steve Clark
Katie Holmes	...	Rachel Wagner
Tobias Mehler	...	Andy Effkin
Nick Stahl	...	Gavin Strick
Steve Railsback	...	Officer Cox
Bruce Greenwood	...	Dr. Edgar Caldicott
Katharine Isabelle	...	Lindsay Clark
William Sadler	...	Dorian Newberry
Ethan Embry	...	Allen Clark
Terry David Mulligan	...	Nathan Clark
Susan Hogan	...	Cynthia Clark
A.J. Buckley	...	Charles 'Chug' Roman
Robert Moloney	...	Ferry Guy
Derek Hamilton	...	Trent Whalen
Dan Zukovic	...	Mr. Rooney

Storyline

After the suicide of the teenager Allen Clark, his family decides to move from Chicago to the quiet Cradle Bay Island seeking a peaceful life for the siblings Steve and Lindsay Clark. When Steve joins the local high-school, the outcast Gavin Strick befriends Steve and introduces his also rejected friend Rachel Wagner to the newcomer. Gavin exposes to Steve in the refectory the punks, the nerds and the different tribes of the school and he defends the weird theory that a sinister force changes the behavior of the annoyingly perfect "Blue Ribbons", a group of good students that wear identical jackets and gather in the Yogurt Shoppe. Further he tells that he had witnessed the blue ribbon Andy Efkin killing their schoolmate Mary Jo that is missing and the local Officer Cox covering the murder. Steve does not believe on Gavin words, but when his friend is submitted to the treatment of Dr. Edgar Caldicott and immediately changes his behavior, joining the Blue Ribbons, Steve and Rachel ...

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Plot Keywords:

high school | jock | blue ribbon | jacket | teen | 

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Taglines:

In Cradle Bay... there's nothing more frightening than perfection.

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Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence, sexuality, language, and drug content

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

Australia USA Canada

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Perturbados

Filming Locations:

Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$7,070,714 (USA) (24 July 1998)

Gross:

$17,411,331 (USA) (25 September 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Village Roadshow Pictures, Hoyts Film Partnership

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dorian Newberry has a copy of "Slaughterhouse 5" by Kurt Vonnegut in his pocket. In Vonnegut's short story "Harrison Bergeron", the plot involves mind control in the form of head bands to obtain equality.

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Goofs

When Gavin leaves the building after seeing his parents want him go join the club. He is walking on a log and talking but his mouth does not move.

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Quotes

Dickie Atkinson the Mechanic: [awkwardly] You had friends in Chicago?
Steve Clark: Yeah.
Lorna Longley: You can have friends here.

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Crazy Credits

Voices at the end of the credits say Main Commands of Dr. Caldicott's Program: "Let the light get into you... yes, slowly". BETTY CALDICOTT: "Meet the musical creatures that hide in the flowers". LORNA LONGLEY: "Treat yourself".

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Connections

References Caddyshack (1980)

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Soundtracks

"Million Rappers"
Written by Phunk Junkeez
Performed by Phunk Junkeez
Courtesy of Trauma Records

User Reviews

Some solid paranoia!

Although it was a flop with both critics and audiences upon its release in 1998, in retrospect Disturbing Behavior is actually one of the smarter teen thrillers to follow the massive success of Scream (1996).

Newcomer to a small town high school finds himself menaced by a group of 'disturbingly perfect' students who would like nothing better than for him to become part of their way of life.

Disturbing Behavior may owe much of its premise to such classic films as Clockwork Orange (1971) and The Stepford Wives (1975), but it still stands as a clever and entertaining thriller. Rather than attempt to be the usual teen scare flick, this film relies far more on its brooding, paranoid atmosphere to be compelling and it works. The subject matter alone is enough to stir chills without having to resort to bloody violence. Still there's a fair amount of action to be had in this unsettling tale. David Nutton's direction is well-handled and the filming locations are beautiful. Mark Snow's music score is also nicely moody, and there's a slick rock soundtrack to boot.

The cast is also pretty good. Katie Holmes is fetching as a rebel girl. Nick Stahl is likable as a teen stoner. Best of all though is star James Marsden as our heart-felt hero.

It's easy to dismiss Disturbing Behavior as just another teen thriller, but it packs more intelligence than most of its kind. It's a movie that reminds us to be an individual.

*** out of ****