Publication Date: 12-15-2025

Stand By Me (1986) review

Dir. Rob Reiner

By: Steve Pulaski

Rating: ★★★★

Remembering Rob Reiner

1947 – 2025

Rarely does a film make me fall in love with the characters, have sympathy for them, and actually crave to see more out of them. Stand By Me is a must see, endearing film based on the novella by horror author Stephen King. It seems like it would take the direction of a horror movie, or get easily sidetracked, when it takes the route of an extremely interesting drama film. The drama in this movie is realistic fiction about four boys coping with extreme home life troubles, and their only source for hope is in each other.

The plot: Four boys; Gordie, the bookworm from a careless family (Wil Wheaton), Chris, the stereotyped delinquent (River Phoenix), Teddy, a boy who’s ear was badly burned because of his father (Corey Feldman), and Vern, a chubby, picked on fellow who means nice at heart (Jerry O’Connell). All have strict home lives as you can imagine, and when Vern overhears his brother talking about the location of a corpse who has been looked for all over town, he rounds up the gang and they walk to the location of the body.

Along the way to try and find the body, the four friends gather more information about each other and uncover more mysteries about their home lives. They are each victims to both physical and emotional abuse. Gordie, whom is a good writer, is ignored at home, and is unappreciated by either parent. Chris’ parents are alcoholic and in the nuthouse leaving him to be the subject of an unproven stereotype. Teddy’s dad is a violent drunk who nearly caused Teddy to go deaf in one ear by burning it on a stove. And Vern’s family is never really revealed, but is expected to be the same sort of deal.

The film is narrated by a grown Gordie played by Richard Dreyfuss. His voice adds a nice tone to the film, and adds to the film’s creepy and unsettled atmosphere. It’s such a unique addition. Not to mention, Stand By Me makes one reflect upon the adventures they had with kids in their neighborhood. It’s When a film makes you feel old and make you look like you’ve not done a thing with your life, by showcasing characters who are young and adventurous who are not to far off from your age is a pure accomplishment.

Without a doubt, Stand By Me is among my favorite Stephen King movie adaptations. Wil, River, Corey, and Jerry all give their performances of a lifetime in this movie that maybe twenty-four years old, but still is recognized today. It may be one of a kind, but it makes me cry like many.

Starring: Wil Wheaton, River Phoenix, Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell, and Kiefer Sutherland. Directed by: Rob Reiner.