- Title: Disturbing Behavior
- IMDb: link
Playing with the idea of mind control at a remote high school on a Washington island community, 1998’s Disturbing Behavior begins with the arrival of Steve (James Marsden), his sister (Katharine Isabelle), and parents (Terry David Mulligan and Susan Hogan) to Cradle Bay. Running away from tough memories of his brother’s (Ethan Embry) suicide, the family attempts a new start in the picturesque surroundings that aren’t nearly as perfect as the local high school guidance counselor and mad scientist (Bruce Greenwood) would have you believe.
Dr. Caldicott (Greenwood) has been exposing problem kids to mind control, turning even the most antisocial outcast into a member of the preppy Blue Ribbons. Of course the process has side-effects the good doctor hasn’t worked out yet including cruelty to any student outside the clique and teen hormones occasionally driving the kids crazy.
Steve is introduced to the various factions of the school by burnouts Gavin (Nick Stahl), U.V. (Chad Donella), and Rachel (Katie Holmes, playing against type). Steve initially discounts Gavin’s conspiracy ideas about the Blue Ribbons, but after getting a taste of the crazy of what the town seems to accept as the new normal, Steve chooses to search for the truth.
Very much a product of its time, given its leads of James Marsden, Katie Holmes, and Nick Stahl, mainstays like Embry and Greenwood, and a soundtrack including music by The Flys and Harvey Danger, it’s hard to imagine a film being more 1990s. We also get Derek Hamilton, A. J. Buckley, Crystal Cass, P.J. Prinsloo, Tygh Runyan, and Michelle Skalnikas as the Blue Ribbons and William Sadler as the school’s janitor who Steve discovers isn’t as crazy as everyone believes.
Adapting the script by Scott Rosenberg, director David Nutter fought the studio who wanted something more like the popular Scream franchise than Nutter’s vision of an X-Files thriller. The studio eventually cut more than a half-hour of the film leading to mixed reactions from audiences and critics with many remarking it was derivative of much better films. However, as a 90s time capsule and teen thriller, it does have its moments where you can see Nutter’s original vision and commentary on teen conformity shinning through.
The film has been released on home video several times over the years and is also available on multiple streaming platforms. The new Blu-ray includes extras from previous releases including an alternate ending and audio commentary by the director.
