Watch Stalking Laura

Starring Richard Thomas, Brooke Shields, and Viveka Davis, Stalking Laura is a 1993 suspense thriller directed by Michael Switzer. The story is about Laura Black (played by Brooke Shields), a woman who is stalked by a man named Harry Powell (played by Richard Thomas) who has been obsessed with her since high school. The movie is set in Sacramento, California, and is 93 minutes long.

The film begins with Laura Black being interviewed on a radio show about her high-profile career as a successful author of true-crime books. During the interview, she mentions the time when Harry Powell, a former classmate, had a crush on her in high school. As she details the events that happened back then, she gets a phone call from Harry. He tells her that he has just been released from prison and that he wants to see her. Laura is obviously unsettled by this, and from that point on, she becomes the victim of Harry's disturbing obsession.

Harry rents a room near Laura's apartment and installs hidden cameras to spy on her every move. He also plants a microphone in her house to listen to her conversations. Laura's boyfriend, Jack (played by Richard Burgi), is a district attorney who is investigating a murder case. Jack is initially dismissive of Laura's concerns about Harry's stalking, but later realizes the seriousness of the situation after Harry's obsession crosses several lines.

What follows is a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, where Laura tries to escape from Harry's clutches while Jack tries to catch him in the act. The tension and suspense build up as Harry becomes increasingly deranged and violent, leading up to a nail-biting climax.

One of the strengths of Stalking Laura is the performances by the lead actors. Brooke Shields, in particular, delivers a captivating performance as Laura Black. She manages to convincingly convey the terror and trauma of being stalked. Richard Thomas, known for his role in The Waltons, is appropriately creepy and menacing as Harry Powell, the obsessive stalker. Viveka Davis, who portrays Laura's assistant, provides comic relief in an otherwise intense movie.

The movie also touches on themes of voyeurism, obsession, and the power dynamics in relationships. Through Harry's character, the movie highlights the toxic and dangerous aspects of toxic masculinity and the entitlement men often feel towards women. The film also touches on the issue of victim-blaming, where society often blames the victim of stalking for the actions of the stalker.

In terms of the direction and cinematography, Stalking Laura is competent, but not groundbreaking. The movie is shot in a straightforward, no-frills style, with no major stylistic flourishes. The editing is tight and effective, which helps in building tension and suspense.

Overall, Stalking Laura is a well-made thriller that delivers on its promises. The movie is not groundbreaking in terms of its direction or storytelling, but the performances of the lead actors elevate the material to a higher level. With its themes of obsession, voyeurism, and power dynamics, the movie remains relevant even today, and is a stark reminder of the dangers that women face from stalkers.

Stalking Laura is a 1993 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.4.