Deadly Friend
A robotics prodigy resurrects his brain-dead neighbor with an artificial-intelligence chip, unleashing a tragic suburban nightmare.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Graphic
- eerie
- tragic
- disturbing
- late night horror
- 1980s horror marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly viewed the film as an uneven and uninspired mixture of science fiction, teenage romance, and horror that never sustains its atmosphere.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Paul implants BB's circuit chip into Samantha's brain after she is left brain-dead on life support.
Samantha's abusive alcoholic father repeatedly harms her, and her resurrection is followed by violent consequences.
Paul develops BB and experiments with its technology while living beside Samantha in a seemingly ordinary residential neighborhood.
Paul's attachment to Samantha motivates an unauthorized hospital rescue and a dangerous brain-implant procedure.
Films like Deadly Friend, and why
Frankenstein
shared science fiction horror premise involving artificial intelligence, resurrection, and escalating bodily threat
A Nightmare on Elm Street
shared teen horror atmosphere, suburban setting, supernatural violence, and coming-of-age romance
The Bride of Frankenstein
shared blend of adolescent romance, mad-science experimentation, and tragic transformation
The Gate
shared 1980s teen horror setting, outsider protagonists, and grotesque genre spectacle
Movie Details
- Director
- Wes Craven
- Release Date
- 1986-10-10
- Runtime
- 91 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (275)
Cast
- Matthew Labyorteaux
- Kristy Swanson
- Michael Sharrett
- Anne Twomey
- Anne Ramsey
- Richard Marcus
- Russ Marin
- Lee Paul
- Andrew Roperto
- Charles Fleischer
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Deadly Friend about?
- A robotics prodigy resurrects his brain-dead neighbor with an artificial-intelligence chip, unleashing a tragic suburban nightmare.
- What is Deadly Friend like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Deadly Friend as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Deadly Friend violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Deadly Friend as graphic.
- What did critics think of Deadly Friend?
- Critics broadly viewed the film as an uneven and uninspired mixture of science fiction, teenage romance, and horror that never sustains its atmosphere.
- Which films are like Deadly Friend?
- Films with a similar feel include Frankenstein, A Nightmare on Elm Street, The Bride of Frankenstein, and The Gate.
- How long is Deadly Friend?
- Deadly Friend runs 91 minutes.
- Where can I watch Deadly Friend?
- In United States, Deadly Friend is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
