An overstressed suburbanite and his neighbors are convinced that the new family on the block is part of a murderous Satanic cult.An overstressed suburbanite and his neighbors are convinced that the new family on the block is part of a murderous Satanic cult.An overstressed suburbanite and his neighbors are convinced that the new family on the block is part of a murderous Satanic cult.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Theodore Gottlieb
- Reuben Klopek
- (as Brother Theodore)
Nicky Katt
- Steve Kuntz
- (as Nick Katt)
Billy Stevenson
- Ricky's Friend
- (as Bill Stevenson)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWalter's toy poodle Queenie was played by the same dog that played Precious in The Silence of the Lambs (1991).
- GoofsAt the end of the film, Ray comments on Carol's shorter haircut. In her last scene, her hair is back to its original length.
- Quotes
Mark Rumsfield: Klopek... what is that, Slavic?
Reuben: NO.
Mark Rumsfield: 'Bout a nine on the tension scale, Reub.
- Crazy creditsAfter the Universal Studios logo appears, the camera zooms into Earth and to where the film takes place.
At the end of the film, the effect is played in reverse.
- Alternate versionsThere were three filmed endings to the movie. The first is the one that is in the normal release of the movie both domestic and international. The second, available as the 'alternate ending' on the DVD version, follows the path of the first one, but is slightly different and does not contain the sequence in which the ambulance crashes into the house or the part where Mark Rumsfield slide tackles Hans Klopek. It does have a few more scenes which include Hans being interrogated by the police, Dr. Werner Klopek giving a speech to the police on what is wrong with the suburbs, and Ruben telling Ray that he was going to enjoy having him over for their final dinner. The third (and most downbeat) ending, which has not been released in any form officially, is supposed to have Ray get killed in the ambulance by Werner, the Klopeks are pronounced innocent, and garbage bags are found bound and gagged in the Klopek's car trunk. The last ending follows the original ending contained in the script.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Siskel & Ebert: Oscar Surprises for 1988 (1989)
- SoundtracksMachine
Written by Alex Mitchell, Ricky Beck Mahler & Gary Sunshine
Performed by Circus of Power
Courtesy of RCA Records
Featured review
Underrated
One of the most underrated and funniest movies of the 80's.
helpful•111
- HAL9090
- Jul 13, 2020
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Life in the Burbs
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $18,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $36,601,993
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $11,101,197
- Feb 20, 1989
- Gross worldwide
- $49,101,993
- Runtime1 hour 42 minutes
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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