Problem Child
Problem Child

Movie spotlight

Problem Child

1990
Movie
81 min
English

Ben Healy and his social climbing wife Flo adopt fun-loving seven year old Junior. But they soon discover he's a little monster as he turns a camping trip, a birthday party and even a baseball game into comic nightmares.

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes10%
Metacritic16/100
Google Users63%
Director: Dennis DuganGenres: Comedy, Family

Plot Summary

A childless couple adopts a seven-year-old boy, Junior, hoping for a dream child. However, Junior turns out to be a mischievous and destructive terror, whose antics escalate from minor pranks to dangerous mayhem. The couple struggles to cope with his behavior, leading to chaotic and often hilarious situations as they try to find a way to handle their "problem child."

Critical Reception

Problem Child was widely panned by critics for its crude humor and perceived endorsement of child abuse, though it achieved considerable commercial success due to its appeal to younger audiences. Despite the overwhelmingly negative critical reviews, it became a cult favorite for some, largely due to its over-the-top comedic elements.

What Reviewers Say

  • Relies heavily on slapstick and gross-out humor that often crosses into mean-spirited territory.

  • The film's depiction of a child's destructive behavior was seen by many as disturbing rather than comedic.

  • Despite critical derision, its outlandish premise and juvenile humor resonated with some younger viewers.

Google audience: Google users generally found the movie to be a silly, over-the-top comedy with some funny moments, particularly appreciating the physical humor and John Ritter's performance. However, many acknowledged its simplistic plot and predictable gags.

Awards & Accolades

None notable.

Fun Fact

The film's original script was considered too dark and violent, leading to significant rewrites to make it more of a family comedy, though many critics felt it still retained a disturbing edge.

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