[4]

Bill Condon (Gods and Monsters) co-wrote this low-budget horror flick that dovetails two storylines — one involving a scientist medically experimenting on teenagers to turn them into controlled assassins, and one about a widower sheriff trying to solve the mystery surrounding his wife’s death many years ago. Despite competent leads in Michael Murphy as the sheriff and Dan Shor (Tron) as his son-turned-assassin, and a tacked on supporting role filled by Oscar-winner Louise Fletcher, Strange Behavior never quite takes off the launching pad. Condon and director Michael Laughlin (Strange Invaders) do well within their budgetary constraints, turning would-be action scenes into character-driven dramatic moments, but the film often falls into a plodding pace. The scenes of medical experimentation come off laughable, the droning score is sleep inducing, and the third act suffers from both anti-climax and an abrupt ending. The best thing about Strange Behavior is easily an early shot of Dan Shor’s naked ass. It’s mighty fine.

With Marc McClure (Superman: The Movie) and Scott Brady (Gremlins).