Watch The Stepford Wives
- PG
- 1975
- 1 hr 55 min
-
6.9 (19,905)
The Stepford Wives, released in 1975, is a science fiction thriller film directed by Bryan Forbes and based on the novel by Ira Levin. The movie stars Katharine Ross, Paula Prentiss, and Peter Masterson. The story begins with Joanna Eberhart (Katharine Ross), a successful photographer, moving with her husband Walter (Peter Masterson) and their two children to Stepford, a suburban town in Connecticut. Upon arriving, Joanna becomes suspicious of the bizarre behavior of the town's wives, who seem to be perfect homemakers, always cheerful and obedient to their husbands. Joanna befriends Bobbie (Paula Prentiss), another newcomer to the town, and together they investigate the strange goings-on in Stepford.
As Joanna and Bobbie dig deeper into the town's secrets, they discover that the husbands of the Stepford wives have created robotic duplicates of their spouses, replacing them with these submissive androids. The men of Stepford have set out to create the "perfect" wives who will obey their every command and fulfill their every desire.
As the plot unfolds, Joanna realizes that she too may be in danger of becoming a Stepford wife. She must fight against the conspirators to save herself and the other women in the town from being turned into emotionless automatons.
The Stepford Wives is a thought-provoking commentary on gender roles and the expectations placed on women in the 1970s. The film explores the idea of the "perfect" wife and the lengths some men will go to achieve it. The movie raises questions about the complexities of human relationships, the dangers of conformity, and the loss of individuality.
Katharine Ross delivers a fantastic performance as the inquisitive Joanna, who questions the town's methods and fights to uncover the truth. Paula Prentiss is also brilliant as Bobbie, who provides some comic relief in an otherwise tense film. Peter Masterson also delivers a strong performance as Walter, Joanna's husband, who is initially supportive but later reveals his darker side.
The movie has a creepy, unsettling atmosphere throughout, with a tense soundtrack and eerie lighting that heightens the suspense. The film's stunning cinematography captures the perfect facade of the town and the fear lurking just beneath the surface.
Overall, The Stepford Wives is a classic example of a well-crafted thriller that keeps audiences captivated from start to finish. It sheds light on the societal pressures of the 1970s and explores themes that are still relevant today. The film's enduring popularity is a testament to its timeless message and its ability to scare and entertain audiences for decades.
The Stepford Wives is a 1975 mystery with a runtime of 1 hour and 55 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9 and a MetaScore of 54.