What the Peeper Saw, a film from the 70s, takes us on a suspenseful journey of a stepmother’s growing suspicion towards her stepson. Directed by James Kelley, this film is a classic example of vintage softcore, filled with steamy and explicit scenes that will surely leave you on the edge of your seat.
The film starts with Sarah, mother of 12-year-old Marcus, dying mysteriously while taking a bath. Her husband, Paul, later marries Elise, a 22-year-old woman. Three months into their marriage, Marcus returns home from boarding school, and Elise suspects him of stealing money from his father’s study. As the story unfolds, Elise’s suspicion towards Marcus grows, and she begins to uncover his dark secrets.
Marcus, played by Mark Lester, is portrayed as a troubled young boy with a twisted fascination for violence and sex. His behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and he takes a sexual interest in his stepmother, Elise, played by Britt Ekland. The audience is left questioning Marcus’s innocence, as Elise uncovers his obsession with torturing and killing animals and his stalking crimes at school.
Elise, played by Britt Ekland, is the protagonist of the film. She is a young, beautiful woman who is struggling to accept her husband’s son into her life. As she uncovers Marcus’s dark secrets, she becomes increasingly paranoid and suspicious of him. Her character development is one of the strongest aspects of the film, as she transforms from a naive stepmother to a determined woman seeking the truth.
