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Bad Ronald

1974·Movie
1h 14min·NR

Where to watch

No stream option in US yet.

Links go to licensed services. Data from JustWatch and TMDB.

Bad Ronald fingerprint

High energy, no humor.

Energy

Terrifying and tense

Builds slowly, so the intensity comes in waves.

  • Scare9
  • Tension8
  • Violence7

Heart

Emotionally reserved

Much of it is about family.

  • Family Dynamics7
  • Melancholy6
  • Pathos5

Humor

A little humor

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Dark Humor3
  • Situational Comedy1
  • Wit & Wordplay1

World

Everyday modern life, the mind, and crime

  • World Immersion7
  • Dialogue Centrality6
  • Novelty6

Craft

Solid, not remarkable

  • Intrigue8
  • Direction7
  • Acting7

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Cinematography6
  • Editing6
  • Visual Stylization6

Who it's for

AdultsFriends NightSolo WatchThought-Provoking

Skip it if

You need an uplifting moodGraphic violence bothers youYou scare easily

Find more like it

Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every movie. Select a row to see all of them.

About

The Wood family doesn't know it. But the old house they've just bought is already occupied... by a psychopathic killer.

When awkward teen Ronald Wilby accidentally kills a young girl whose sister rejected his affections, his overbearing mother decides to hide him from the law by creating a concealed room in their home for him to live.
Psychological HorrorHidden RoomDysfunctional FamilySocial OutcastTeenage ViolenceMother-Son RelationshipClaustrophobic AtmosphereDisturbing SecretsUnsettling Isolation

Crew

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Bad Ronald

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Bad Ronald legally?

You can rent or buy it from Amazon Video. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Bad Ronald worth watching?

64
DecentGoodWatch score

Opinions are mixed, with a GoodWatch score of 64/100 (IMDb 6.5 and Rotten Tomatoes 67%). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Bad Ronald rated?

NRViolenceDisturbing imagery

It's rated NR in the United States. Content advisories: violence and disturbing imagery.

How long is Bad Ronald?

1 h 14 min

Bad Ronald runs 1 h 14 min.

Is Bad Ronald based on a true story?

No. It's adapted from a novel.

Do critics and audiences agree on Bad Ronald?

Critics67
Audiences61

Yes. Critics average 67 and audiences 61 out of 100, so both groups see Bad Ronald much the same way.

What language is Bad Ronald in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Bad Ronald?

3GBGGUS

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Bad Ronald in 3 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Bad Ronald use?

Go Mad from the IsolationThe Pig-PenSecret SquatterI Want My Mommy!Berserk ButtonNosy NeighborLoser ProtagonistFinal GirlPolice Are UselessAccidental MurderBig EaterLighter and Softerand 19 more

TV Tropes lists 31 storytelling tropes for Bad Ronald, including Go Mad from the Isolation, The Pig-Pen, Secret Squatter.