Bad Ronald

Bad Ronald is a classic 1974 suspense-thriller film directed by Buzz Kulik from a screenplay by Andrew Peter Marin. The film is an adaptation of Jack Vance's novel of the same name, providing an enthralling psychological sojourn into the life of an odd and isolated character. The film features the actor Scott Jacoby in the titular role, flanked by Pippa Scott and John Larch, amongst others.

Set in a suburban neighborhood, the plot of Bad Ronald primarily revolves around the peculiar, introverted, and socially awkward teenager, Ronald, portrayed brilliantly by Scott Jacoby. The film begins establishing Ronald's character as highly talented yet eccentric, with his interests being firmly rooted in art and fantasy. He dreams of incorporating his artwork into a fantasy world story, the 'Atranta' series.

Ronald's peaceful, albeit odd life, takes a drastic turn when an unfortunate chain of events sets him off on the wrong path. In this unexpected twist, he accidentally causes the demise of a young girl during a heated argument. This unfortunate incident triggers a series of actions that Ronald and his overbearing, yet highly protective mother (played by Kim Hunter) take to prevent the truth from getting out.

Engulfed by fear and the instinctive desire to protect her son, Ronald's mother orchestrates a bizarre and elaborate plan to shield him from the law. With a combination of audacity and desperation, she imprisons him in their own home, locking him away in a concealed room of their house set behind a bathroom's sliding panel, unbeknownst to the world outside. She assures him this is a temporary arrangement until the heat around the incident simmers down.

However, upon the sudden death of Ronald's mother in a hospital, his life takes an even more peculiar turn. With no one aware of his existence in the hidden room, Ronald finds himself in an unusual bind, still holed up in the dark quarters of their house. His only company are the disquieting and fantastical characters birthed by his imagination, blurring the lines between reality and his hauntingly eerie fantasy world.

Adding further chaos into Ronald's obscure existence, the house gets new occupants - the unsuspecting Wood family consisting of a newly divorced mother, and four young, vivacious girls. Unaware of the secret lurking behind the walls of their new home, they settle into an ordinary suburban life even as Ronald attempts to sustain his hidden life without arousing suspicion.

Terror-stricken, yet fascinated by the girls' presence, Ronald's voyeuristic tendencies amplify, opening the door for unintended consequences that promise to leave audiences on the edge of their seats. Scott Jacoby does a commendable job portraying his character's mounting anxieties and struggles with reality, convincingly bringing to life this chilling narrative.

Bad Ronald is a chilling tale of isolation, psychological unravelling, and dire consequences of a series of unfortunate events. Director Buzz Kulik weaves this intriguing narrative with a masterful use of suspense, keeping the viewers engaged while playing with elements of psychological horrification and thriller.

Although produced in the seventies, Bad Ronald's stimulating storytelling and commendable acting performances have granted the film a cult-like status in the realm of psychological horror films. John Larch and Pippa Scott deliver strong performances, adding further substance to this nail-biting thriller.

Bad Ronald, with its twisting plot and shivering suspense, will appeal to fans of psychological horror and suspense genre. Its exploration of social isolation, a descent into psychosis and the struggle between reality and fantasies delivers a unique blend of terror, making it an unparalleled viewing experience.