Appropriate sparks are flying, somebody cue the power ballad.
Look at him, he's killing his hard-on.
Mr. Newberry here has got the full-on Boo Radley, village idiot, Quasimoto thing going, don't you Mr. Newb?
The Yogurt Shop, Yogurt Shoppe, what the fuck's a Shoppe?
[sees Andy Effkin being talked to by police] Andy Effkin toasts with the most.
[Blue Ribbons circle around Steve] Ice Ice Baby.
It's not like you think. It's a whole new kind of cool. Everything's beautiful, man.
I had no idea the evil was this pervasive.
[shouts] You signed me up for the program?
Be the ball.
Disturbing Behavior is a 1998 thriller
science fiction filmScience fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
starring
James MarsdenJames Paul Marsden is an American actor, singer and former Versace model. He is known for playing the superhero Cyclops in the first three X-Men films and for his roles in other commercially successful films such as Hop, Superman Returns, Hairspray, Enchanted, The Box, and 27 Dresses.-Early life...
,
Katie HolmesKatherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
, and
Nick StahlNicolas Kent "Nick" Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face and then embarked on a successful career as a child actor...
. The film was released on July 24, 1998. The plot follows a group of high school outcasts who are horrified by their "Blue Ribbon" classmates. Director
David NutterDavid Nutter is an American television and film director and television producer. He is best known for directing pilot episodes for television series, being known as "the pilot whisperer."-Career:...
was a director and producer of
The X-FilesThe X-Files is an American science fiction television series and a part of The X-Files franchise, created by screenwriter Chris Carter. The program originally aired from to . The show was a hit for the Fox network, and its characters and slogans became popular culture touchstones in the 1990s...
as well as a director and co-executive producer of
MillenniumMillennium is an American television series created by Chris Carter, creator of The X-Files. Millennium aired on the Fox Network from 1996 to 1999. The series was filmed in Vancouver, British Columbia, though most episodes were ostensibly set in or around Seattle, Washington...
.
Plot
Steve Clark (
James MarsdenJames Paul Marsden is an American actor, singer and former Versace model. He is known for playing the superhero Cyclops in the first three X-Men films and for his roles in other commercially successful films such as Hop, Superman Returns, Hairspray, Enchanted, The Box, and 27 Dresses.-Early life...
) is a high school senior whose family moves to Cradle Bay, a picturesque coastal town. Steve soon befriends three outcast students, Gavin Strick (
Nick StahlNicolas Kent "Nick" Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face and then embarked on a successful career as a child actor...
), U.V. (
Chad E. DonellaChad E. Donella is a Canadian actor who has appeared in several movies and television shows.-Life and career:He attended the Arts York Drama Program, in which he participated in such plays as Oedipus Rex, Waiting for Godot, and The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. He has performed at Toronto's...
), and Rachel Wagner (
Katie HolmesKatherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
).
Gavin tries to tell Steve that he believes there is something evil about the "Blue Ribbons"—students taking part in a program led by the school psychologist, Dr. Caldicott (
Bruce GreenwoodBruce Greenwood is a Canadian actor and musician. He is generally known for his roles as U.S. presidents in Thirteen Days and National Treasure: Book of Secrets and for his role as Captain Christopher Pike in the 2009 Star Trek film...
). Steve is understandably skeptical. The following day at lunch, Gavin walks in looking like a Blue Ribbon. When Steve tries to confront Gavin, he gets punched in the stomach for his impertinence. Now Steve and Rachel must try and save the rest of the school before its too late. They find a disc that Gavin hid for them in the boiler room, before his "transformation," which tells them about the club.
During this, Steve also befriends Dorian (
William SadlerWilliam Thomas Sadler is an American actor who works in film and television. His television and motion picture roles have included Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller in The Pacific, Luther Sloan in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sheriff Jim Valenti in Roswell, convict Heywood in The Shawshank Redemption,...
), the school janitor, who appears to be mentally handicapped and hunts rats for the city. Dorian demonstrates a device called an E-Rat-icator which emits a soft, high pitched whine that is supposed to be innocuous but annoying to rats, which is an abysmal failure. Steve discovers that Dorian is actually highly intelligent, and carries classical literature pieces with him, and that he's hiding because he wishes to be left alone. During an encounter where a Blue Ribbon assaults Rachel, the E-Rat-icator goes off, and immediately sends the student into a psychotic fit, driving him away.
They try to find out what has been happening to these kids, which leads them to a mental hospital called Bishop Flats. They learn that mind control was used to make depressed and awkward teens become perfect so they can function properly in life, but the programming has some glitches that lead to momentary relapses. Also at Bishop Flats, they find Caldicott's daughter, Betty (Julie Patzwald), who spends her time repeating the same phrase: "Meet the musical little creatures that hide among the flowers".
When Rachel and Steve return, they plan to get out of town along with Steve's little sister, Lindsay (
Katharine IsabelleKatherine Isobel Murray , better known by her screen name Katharine Isabelle, is a Canadian actress, best known for her portrayal of Ginger in Ginger Snaps, and as Gibb in Freddy vs. Jason.-Biography:...
), but when they get back, Steve's parents (
Terry David MulliganTerry David Mulligan is a Canadian actor and radio and television personality based in Vancouver, British Columbia.Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Mulligan's first career was as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer in Olds, Alberta and Red Deer, Alberta from 1960 through 1964...
and Susan Hogan) reveal they had him signed up for the program. Steve and Lindsay try to get out but they get ambushed by a group of blue ribbons waiting for them. They drag Steve and Rachel to the programming center, but Steve escapes and rescues Rachel. They try to get out of town again with Lindsay and U.V., but the Blue Ribbons and Caldicott are waiting for them near the ferry out of town. When hope seems lost, Dorian the school janitor drives up, his car hooked up with E-Rat-icators that scramble the mind control tech inside the blue ribbons' heads. They chase after him and try to destroy the E-Rat-icators, but, having been fatally wounded by Caldicott, he drives off a cliff with the blue ribbons on it. This leads to a final battle between Steve and Caldicott, which Steve wins by kicking Caldicott off the cliff. Steve and Rachel then leave town.
The final scene shows a classroom in an urban high school with kids playing loud music, cursing, and acting up. They are informed that they have a new teacher. The well-kept sub turns around, and it's Gavin, with the blue ribbon "twinkle" still active in his eye.
Cast
- James Marsden
James Paul Marsden is an American actor, singer and former Versace model. He is known for playing the superhero Cyclops in the first three X-Men films and for his roles in other commercially successful films such as Hop, Superman Returns, Hairspray, Enchanted, The Box, and 27 Dresses.-Early life...
as Steve Clark
- Katie Holmes
Katherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
as Rachel Wagner
- Nick Stahl
Nicolas Kent "Nick" Stahl is an American actor. Starting out as a child actor, he gained recognition for his performance in the 1993 film The Man Without a Face and then embarked on a successful career as a child actor...
as Gavin Strick
- Bruce Greenwood
Bruce Greenwood is a Canadian actor and musician. He is generally known for his roles as U.S. presidents in Thirteen Days and National Treasure: Book of Secrets and for his role as Captain Christopher Pike in the 2009 Star Trek film...
as Dr. Edgar Caldicott
- William Sadler
William Thomas Sadler is an American actor who works in film and television. His television and motion picture roles have included Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller in The Pacific, Luther Sloan in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sheriff Jim Valenti in Roswell, convict Heywood in The Shawshank Redemption,...
as Dorian Newberry
- Steve Railsback
Steve Railsback is an American theatre, film and television actor, born in Dallas, Texas.-Personal life:Railsback was born Stephen Hall Railsback, in Dallas, Texas, the son of Emerett Spencer and Clyde Webb Railsback.-Career:Railsback was a student of Lee Strasberg and the Actors Studio and in...
as Officer Cox
- Chad E. Donella
Chad E. Donella is a Canadian actor who has appeared in several movies and television shows.-Life and career:He attended the Arts York Drama Program, in which he participated in such plays as Oedipus Rex, Waiting for Godot, and The Collected Works of Billy the Kid. He has performed at Toronto's...
as U.V.
- Tobias Mehler
Tobias Mehler is a Canadian actor who has appeared in film and television productions. Some notable roles include d'Artagnan on Young Blades, Zak Adama on Battlestar Galactica and Lieutenant Graham Simmons in Stargate SG-1...
as Andy Effkin
- Katharine Isabelle
Katherine Isobel Murray , better known by her screen name Katharine Isabelle, is a Canadian actress, best known for her portrayal of Ginger in Ginger Snaps, and as Gibb in Freddy vs. Jason.-Biography:...
as Lindsay Clark
- Ethan Embry
Ethan Philan Randall , although he is known and usually credited as Ethan Embry, is an American film and television actor. He is known for his role as Declan Giggs on the Showtime television series Brotherhood.-Personal life:...
as Allen Clark
- Terry David Mulligan
Terry David Mulligan is a Canadian actor and radio and television personality based in Vancouver, British Columbia.Born in New Westminster, British Columbia, Mulligan's first career was as a Royal Canadian Mounted Police officer in Olds, Alberta and Red Deer, Alberta from 1960 through 1964...
and Susan Hogan as Nathan and Cynthia Clark
- Peter LaCroix and Lynda Boyd
Lynda Boyd is a Canadian actress, singer, dancer, musician, and writer. She is perhaps best known for her roles in the Hollywood films Final Destination 2 , An Unfinished Life , She's the Man , and On Thin Ice, with Diane Keaton...
as Dan and Lucille Strick
- Jay Brazeau
Jay Brazeau is a notable Canadian actor and voice actor. He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.-Career:His credits include voicing Richard Condie's Oscar-nominated animated short La Salla. He also appeared in two of the first season episodes of Highlander: The Series in 1992...
as Principal Weathers
- A.J. Buckley as Charles "Chug" Roman
- Derek Hamilton as Trent Whalen
- David Paetkau
David E. Paetkau is a Canadian actor known for his roles as Evan Lewis in Final Destination 2 , Beck McKaye in Whistler , and Sam Braddock in the CTV television series Flashpoint ....
as Tom Cox
- Daniella Evangelista
Daniella Evangelista is a Canadian actress and model.- Biography :Her early work in television commercials and modeling included national campaigns for Benetton and worldwide exposure through Japanese calendars and other promotions...
as Daniella
- Julie Patzwald as Betty Caldicott
Box office
The film opened at #7 at the North American box office making $7 million USD in its opening weekend. It had a 57% decline in earnings the following week, falling to #12.
Alternate versions
The DVD release features 11
deleted sceneIn Entertainment, especially the film and television industry, Deleted scenes are parts of a film removed or censored from or replaced by another scene in the final "cut", or version, of a film...
s featuring more story and character development, including a deleted love scene between Steve and Rachel (which was present in the theatrical release), an alternate ending where Gavin meets a different fate than the theatrical ending and the revelation the program is assisted by a shadowy government organization. In the film commentary, the director complained that he objected to the particular scenes being removed from the film, but that the editors overrode his objections and removed the scenes anyway.
U.S. cable network Syfy Universal has been known to air a somewhat unofficial
director's cutA director's cut is a specially edited version of a film, and less often TV series, music video, commercials, comic book or video games, that is supposed to represent the director's own approved edit...
of the film with the deleted scenes reinstated (though the film is still shown with the theatrical ending).
Love scene
As they are leaving Bishop Flats, Steve makes the decision to return to Cradle Bay to rescue his sister, which upsets Rachel. Rachel then tells Steve that all her ambitions of escaping Cradle Bay and going to college have now evaporated with their new revelations about the blue ribbon program, and implores him to simply escape with her. When he insists on returning for his sister, Rachel relents and goes with him.
This scene was removed from all subsequent versions of the film, after the 2000 DVD release; however, it was included on VHS copies and the theatrical version of the film. On the ferry back to Cradle Bay, Steve and Rachel use the time to have sex in Rachel's truck.
Alternate ending
Gavin is not affected by the E-rat-acator, because he is wearing his headphones. He confronts Steve and his group on the ferry. Still a friend, Steve pleads with Gavin that they need to get him some help. Gavin refuses on the false belief that everything helped him without the realization of the program's effects which cause him to react. He tries to shoot Steve with a shotgun and UV shoots him three times with his own gun that Steve took away from him. As he lay dying on the ground, Gavin escapes out of his hypnosis to chastise a heartbroken UV (for not being able to kill him in fewer than three shots) while the others tend to him. His dying words are a sarcastic remark that his death will prevent him from meeting his pre-transformation idol,
Trent ReznorMichael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
. Despite having survived the events that preceded them, the group is reminded that they still lost a friend in the process as everyone starts to tear up.