The Paperboy

The movie follows Johnny, a paperboy around his neighborhood. He seems friendly for the first few minutes, but then we see that this kid shouldn't be allowed in public areas. He becomes obsessed with a mom and her daughter, constantly visiting and giving them gifts. They're like the family he never had, only they know he's friggin' nuts. Johnny does everything he can to keep the mom (Melissa) in the state to have her near him at all times. One day, she comes home only to find Johnny in the kitchen making an apple pie. He had the keys when he used to bring papers in the house when she was out of down. She kicks him out, and goes to talk to his dad about how Johnny needs an adult to look up to. Well, his dad goes to talk to Johnny and gives him an early birthday present- golf clubs. Yeah, when I saw that I got this dumb look on my face and sighed happily "oh you're just asking for it now". *CRACK CRACKA* goes the dad.

Johnny also finds out that Melissa has a boyfriend around, and of course, he gets jealous. Get this- he has one of those baby walkie talkie things set up in their house so he can hear everything that goes on. And well, he hears a passionate moment between the two and goes hell bent on desstruction. Melissa's daughter, Cami, is told that Johnny has "the mark of Kain" by an old woman whom they usually refer to as a witch. Johnny finds out, and makes his way over to her house with a baseball bat and a bag. I won't ruin this part since it actually surprised me, but Johnny is just the biggest bastard for what he did here. It was just...eh, you'll see. Screw feeling sorry for the kid, I wanted to see this kid get taken out at the end.

It's a good movie. Not great, and not average, but it's a good solid little movie. It does seem low budget, and I don't know if it was a made for tv movie or what, but I'd get it if it came out on dvd with some decent extra features (because that'll happen. Absolutely). The ending could've been better though. Maybe they should make a sequel and let me write the ending. Heck, I'll write an ending for this movie right now. I'll throw myself in it, and it'll kick Ewok-ass.

But yeah, watch the movie if it's on tv or anything. The acting was great, especially Marc Marut as Johnny. It was funny how he did the usual puberty squeaks when screaming. And the next time you ever play Paperboy on the NES, die a lot on purpose, pretending it's Johnny.


The funniest movie I have ever seen!   May 26, 2000
Kristyl (Lafayette, Louisiana)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Ok, I know this is supposed to be a scary flick, but oh my gosh it isn't! If you are looking for some good laughs, see The Paperboy! My sisters and I rent it ALL THE TIME and watch it. We can almost recite the whole film! It's not gorey or anything, my 8 year old brother watches it with us and we all get a BIG kick out of it. Marc Marut is the PERFECT paperboy. He is actually a good actor. He is VERY dramatic. And of course everyone knows Alexandra Paul, she was on Baywatch. She is also good in this movie. Please see this movie. I am urging you to! I'm not saying its a bad movie because it is funny and not scary, I'm saying its an even BETTER movie. It is our most favorite movie of all time! It is not really comicly funny, its just intended to be scary, but it turns out funny. But not in a bad way. Its hard to explain so I guess I won't anymore. Just please see tthe Paperboy!


Brilliant!   February 19, 2004
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

I have seen this film time and time again and I have never got bored of it. Marc Marut is brilliant in the part of an evil 12 year old. Do yourself a favor and get The paperboy. You won't regret it!


PSYCHOTIC DELIVERY   May 27, 2004
Michael Butts (Martinsburg, WV USA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful

Marc Melut is THE PAPERBOY, and has our screenwriter given us the most fiendish HUMAN child demon on the screen since Patty McCormack's BAD SEED. Marc is a 12 year old who has a fascination with his next door neighbor's daughter. He wants a family, and Melissa Thorpe is his ideal mommy. So he suffocates the mother, necessitating Melissa's return from Boston to her hometown in Ohio. Melissa arrives with her young daughter and meets what appears to be a remarkably nice and attentive young boy. However, Johnny's dementia is deep; he's killed his mother, and his father is a gold equipment salesman who has no time for him. So Johnny decides to become a member of Melissa's family and look out to anyone who stands in his way.
THE PAPERBOY is a tragic, and at times, melodramatic movie. However, Marc's performance is so youthful and sincere that you ALMOST feel sorry for him. There is no excuse for the murders and agony he brings those he feels will keep him from Melissa.
Alexandra Paul (Baywatch) plays Melissa with a quiet intensity, and does very well. Brigid Tierney as her daughter Cammie is very good, too. William Katt (House) is the resident stud who is getting too close to Melissa for Johnny's liking.
The direction keeps things moving and the ending doesn't cop out on you. A decent thriller, it probably lost a lot of marketing due to the premise of having a child killer.


Good Horror/Thriller   January 16, 2007
amy lynn (pennsylvania United States)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

When a young divorcee returns to her hometown to settle her mothers estate she and her daughter are befriended by a 12 yr old boy named Johnny McFarley. He looks like a normal kid but Melissa, 'The Mother', has no idea whats shes getting herself into by befriending this kid.

Johnny lives next door with his dad whos never around. There are also rumors about what happened to his mom and whether or not he had something to do with her death. It dosent take long to see how twisted and mixed up this kid is and soon the 'friendship' with the mom and daughter turns into obsession and now both are concerned and soon fearing for their lives. This kid wants a family of his own and will stop at nothing to get it.

The actor who plays 'Johnny' is perfect for this role. Totally convincing. This movie will definitely have you watching to the end and interested in what might happen next. Its a made for tv movie or B movie so dont expect a masterpiece. But overall its a good edition to the genre and the guy who plays the role of Johnny is the perfect 'disturbed kid'. He makes the movie.