When it comes to teen flicks from the ’90s, a good majority of them either explored slashers, romances, or drama in a way that made each topic feel fresh and — dare we say it — fun.
Somewhere along the way between the “Screams” and the “Cruel Intentions” movies of the ’90s and early 2000s, one particular movie called “Disturbing Behavior” seems to have gotten lost in the shuffle. You rarely tend to hear about it, and it’s a bit of a rare find on streaming services, at least until recently. But Prime Video has it now, and it’s well worth exploring a different kind of teen flick that has a unique premise involving mind control. And not the supernatural kind, which makes it a much more interesting venture.
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What is ‘Disturbing Behavior’ about?
High school senior Steve Clark (James Marsden) moves with his family to Cradle Bay, Washington after losing his brother. At his new school, Steve befriends outcasts Gavin (Nick Stahl) and Rachel (Katie Holmes), who warn him about the “Blue Ribbons,” a clique of perfectly groomed, super-smart students who all seem eerily similar to each other.
Disturbing Behavior (1998) – Official Trailer (HD) – YouTube
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Gavin suspects the Blue Ribbons are part of a sinister mind-control experiment run by the school psychologist, Dr. Caldicott (Bruce Greenwood). Although Steve is initially skeptical, he becomes convinced after witnessing the Blue Ribbons having some weirdly violent outbursts triggered by sexual thoughts and seeing them go back to normal after being exposed to a certain frequency.
What’s causing all the weirdness with the Blue Ribbons, and how does Gavin stop it? Worse, will he have to succumb to the experiment as well if he gets too close to the source?
Why you should stream ‘Disturbing Behavior’ on Prime Video
With big names like James Marsden and Katie Holmes, the star power for this movie might just be reason enough to dive in and see what it’s all about. The pair more than carry “Disturbing Behavior,” but if you don’t check it out for them alone, it’s worth it to see them at their prime in a movie that doesn’t feel as color-by-numbers as others of its era.
(Image credit: Alamy)
Interestingly enough, the movie was directed by “The X-Files” director and producer David Nutter, while screenwriter Scott Rosenberg of “Con Air” and “Gone in 60 Seconds” fame penned the script.
While critics didn’t take to the film, it’s become a cult classic over the years, yet it’s actually difficult to find on Blu-ray in some markets. Having it available on streaming makes it much easier to watch.
If you’re into this very particular genre of film, you’ll find “Disturbing Behavior” a breath of fresh air. If you’re not (teen movies can admittedly be a bit bland), stick around and see how it plays up its mind control story. You might end up enjoying the weirdness. Either way, it’s always fun to see big names in Hollywood back when they were on the rise.
Stream “Disturbing Behavior” on Prime Video
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