A Killer in the Family (1983): Cast & Plot
A Killer in the Family is a 1983 drama thriller directed by Richard T. Heffron, starring Eric Stoltz as Ricky Tison, James Spader and Lynn Carlin. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Richard T. Heffron
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Stan Margulies Productions
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is A Killer in the Family About?
The premise of A Killer in the Family without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A father and his two teenage sons become entangled in a shocking crime spree that captured the nation’s attention. The boys daringly break their incarcerated father from prison, only to learn that he is a cold‑blooded, murderous sociopath. The film dramatizes the harrowing true events that unfolded.
A Killer in the Family Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- barefoot on street
- sleeping shirtless
- sleeping in underwear
- casa grande arizona
- quartzsite arizona
- arizona desert
- arizona state prison
- florence arizona
- male wears underwear
- man wears a tank top
- man wears eyeglasses
- chased by police
+38 more Show fewer
- jail
- cell mate
- killing spree
- wanted man
- teenager
- coming of age
- prison
- newspaper
- policeman
- running from the police
- bechdel test failed
- pointing a gun at someone
- terrorism
- terror
- terrorist
- gangster
- gang member
- gang
- criminal as protagonist
- school
- thief
- blood stain
- blood
- death by gunshot
- death
- loss of son
- loss of brother
- death of brother
- death of protagonist
- shootout
- shooting
- gun
- robber
- armed robbery
- robbery
- chase
- tank top
- barefoot male
A Killer in the Family Cast & Characters
Eric Stoltz leads the cast as Ricky Tison, with James Spader as Donny Tison and Lynn Carlin as Dorothy Tison. Directed by Richard T. Heffron; 26 actors are credited in all.
- Director Richard T. Heffron
-
Eric Stoltz as Ricky Tison -
James Spader as Donny Tison - Lynn Carlin as Dorothy Tison
- Catherine Mary Stewart as Carol
Also Starring in A Killer in the Family
· 22 more- Robert Mitchum Gary Tison
- Lance Kerwin Ray Tison
- Stuart Margolin Randy Greenawalt
- Arliss Howard John Lyons
- Amanda Wyss Dannelda Lyons
- Susan Swift Teresa
- Craig Clyde Prison Guard
- Salome Jens Alice Johansen
- Scott Wilkinson Officer at Trailer
- Ted White Officer
- Michael Ruud Customer
- Russ McGinn Security Guard
- Walt Field Sheriff
- Tip Boxell Tower Guard
- Michael Stanley Gas Station Attendant
- Spencer Alston Mark
Show all 26 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Nolan Adams Gas Station Attendant
- Philip Halstead Store Clerk
- C. Michael Henry Prison Guard
- Richard Mitchell Prison Guard
- George Strine Prison Guard
- George K. Sullivan Lieutenant
More from Richard T. Heffron
More films directed by Richard T. Heffron, best-rated first: Futureworld, Deadly Family Secrets, No Greater Love and The French Revolution.
A Killer in the Family Plot Summary
What happens in A Killer in the Family from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Donny Tison James Spader is a pre-law student, deeply committed to a loving relationship with his high school sweetheart, Carol Catherine Mary Stewart. He is the most steady of Gary Tison’s three sons, but his brothers—Ray [Lance Kerwin], a hard-working farm laborer, and Ricky [Eric Stoltz], who spends his days drifting—grow restless and become convinced that their father must be freed from prison. Donny, torn by duty and family, privately threatens to turn them in to the police even as he weighs the risky path they’re about to undertake. Yet, seeing their resolve, he ultimately agrees to join the plan, convinced that Gary cannot be broken out without his help.
Full summary
The whole story of A Killer in the Family, scene by scene
A Killer in the Family Videos
The clip of A Killer in the Family.
How Well Do You Know A Killer in the Family?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Which veteran Hollywood actor portrays family patriarch Gary Tison?
A Killer in the Family Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “迷离杀手” and “Un asesino en la familia”.
- Also known as
-
- 迷离杀手
- Un asesino en la familia
- Um Assassino na Família
Seen A Killer in the Family?
Movies Like A Killer in the Family
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including In Cold Blood, Deadly Family Secrets and To Catch a Killer.
A Killer in the Family FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of A Killer in the Family, each answered in a sentence.
How long is A Killer in the Family?
A Killer in the Family runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was A Killer in the Family released?
A Killer in the Family was released on October 30, 1983.
Who directed A Killer in the Family?
A Killer in the Family was directed by Richard T. Heffron.
More films by Richard T. Heffron Who is in the cast of A Killer in the Family?
A Killer in the Family stars Eric Stoltz as Ricky Tison, James Spader as Donny Tison and Lynn Carlin as Dorothy Tison, among 26 credited actors.
Does A Killer in the Family have a post-credit scene?
No. A Killer in the Family has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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