Wicked Stepmother (1989)

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A mother/daughter pair of witches descend on a yuppie family's home and cause havoc, one at a time since they share one body & the other must live in a cat the rest of the time. Now it's up to the family's mother, a private detective, and a suspended police officer to try and stop the witches.

Film Overview
"Wicked Stepmother" is an American comic horror movie, launched in 1989, directed and composed by Larry Cohen. The eccentric motion picture is commonly identified for its casting of veteran Hollywood actress Bette Davis in her last movie function. A substantial part of the movie's entertainment value depends on its hilarious take on dream, funny, and horror genres intertwining to narrate a quirky tale of magic, deception, and familial turmoil.

Plot Summary
The plot loosens up with a twist on the timeless enchantress trope, featuring Bette Davis as the electrifying witch Miranda Pierpoint. Jenny Fisher and her husband Steve return home from trip, only to find their daddy Sam (played by Lionel Stander) wed to the mysteriously enchanting Miranda (Bette Davis). The couple finds unexpected changes in their home decoration that show odd, witchy indicators, spurred on by Miranda's existence.

Jenny, pregnant and instinctive, senses Miranda's strange ways and gets suspicious about her intentions. After a dust-up with the brand-new stepmother, followed by Miranda's abrupt disappearance, a feline called Felicia appears in your house. The family strongly suspects Miranda developed into Felicia, which ends up true, as she still undoubtedly controls happenings in the Fisher family from her feline form.

Character Analysis
The leading lady in 'Wicked Stepmother,' Bette Davis, brilliantly represents the eccentric witch, Miranda. Her impeccable blending of wickedness and appeal becomes a peak of the movie, introducing a rejuvenating perfectly sinister, and at times hilarious, stepmother character. Jenny is illustrated as a strong, undaunted lady who attempts to protect her household from Miranda's malefic intents.

Steve, Jenny's hubby, perfectly slides into the function of a supportive spouse, though hesitant about Jenny's assumptions about Miranda. Sam, the senior, love-struck hubby of Miranda, is largely oblivious to her wicked witchy actions and stands as a comedic relief through his naivety.

Unique Features and Reception
Bette Davis's unexpected exit from the film midway (due to health factors) is a substantial point in 'Wicked Stepmother.' The smart script writing and direction, making Davis's character change into a black cat, made sure the story flowed remarkably well regardless of the obstacle.

Nevertheless, regardless of the special plot and Bette Davis's strong efficiency, the movie didn't fare well with critics, getting typical evaluations. The abrupt exit of Davis is thought to have actually triggered the decrease in the film's momentum, resulting in a lower impact than at first anticipated.

Conclusion
In conclusion, 'Wicked Stepmother' is a special analysis of the classical stepmother trope, blending comedy and horror elements into a fantastical, intriguing plot. The highlight of the film is undoubtedly Bette Davis as Miranda, whose unnerving character tickles one's funny bone while also keeping the suspense alive. In spite of its absence of critical praise, the movie remains remarkable as the last cinematic affair of the incredible actress, Bette Davis.

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