Common Sense Media Review
By Kat Halstead
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Underwhelming teen thriller has violence, language, sex.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Disturbing Behavior
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In DISTURBING BEHAVIOR, new kid Steve (James Marsden) moves to Cradle Bay, where he attends the local high school. Teens are separated into familiar stereotypical groups, but the clique known as the Blue Ribbons seem more of a threat than the usual popular crowd. As he gets to know rebellious fellow students Gavin (Nick Stahl) and Rachel (Katie Holmes), he starts to get suspicious about how perfect the Blue Ribbons are, and whether there's something more sinister beneath the surface.
Is It Any Good?
There's an awful lot of brooding in this teen thriller that highlights the murky underworld beneath perceived perfection in middle America. Holmes isn't particularly well cast as a mysterious rebel in Disturbing Behavior—she was about to win hearts as the wide-eyed Joey in Dawson's Creek—but she does her best with very little here. Marsden is reliably watchable, but again isn't exactly challenged in his role of clueless newcomer turned mystery solver. The setup is a familiar body snatcher scenario (think The Faculty), only this time it's achieved through mind control rather than any alien invasion. The movie unfolds with a decent level of tension, and has messages beneath the surface that remain relevant today, but the execution is a little too navel gazey (literally—expect to see a lot of teen belly buttons) to make a lasting impact.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the concept of perfection in Disturbing Behavior. What behavior is celebrated and what's punished? What are some of the dangers of prioritizing conformity and outward perfection over individuality and other positive traits, like kindness and empathy?
Discuss the violence in the movie. Do you think it was the right level or was there too much? What are some of the moments that stood out as particularly scary or gory for you? Would the movie be as impactful without the violence?
Why do you think a high school setting is particularly fitting to explore this kind of topic? Why is it often important to feel that you fit in while growing up? Can you think of times you've felt pressure to conform rather than be yourself?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the story? Is a certain kind of language expected in a film like this?
How was sex portrayed in the movie? Was it affectionate? Respectful? Parents, talk to your teens about your own values regarding sex and relationships.
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 24, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : January 5, 1999
- Cast : James Marsden , Katie Holmes , Nick Stahl
- Director : David Nutter
- Studio : MGM
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 84 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong violence, sexuality, language, and drug content
- Last updated : October 6, 2026
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