The Bad Seed (1956): cast, story & where to watch
1956 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1956, The Bad Seed is a thriller, drama, crime and horror film directed by Mervyn LeRoy, running about 129 minutes. “For little Rhoda, murder is child's play.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. Air Force Colonel Kenneth Penmark and his wife, Christine, dote on their daughter, Rhoda -- as does their lonely landlady, Monica Breedlove. But self-centered Rhoda has a secret tendency for selfishness and loves to accumulate gifts, whether given or stolen, in her room. Christine keeps her knowledge of her daughter's darker side to herself, but when a schoolmate of Rhoda's dies mysteriously, her self-deception unravels.
Who’s in it. The Bad Seed stars Nancy Kelly as Christine Penmark, Patty McCormack as Rhoda Penmark, Eileen Heckart as Hortense Daigle and Henry Jones as Leroy Jessup, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, The Bad Seed has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies and YouTube. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The Bad Seed page.
If you liked it. Fans of The Bad Seed tend to enjoy The Dark Knight, Pulp Fiction, Parasite and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The Bad Seed (1956)?
- In US, The Bad Seed is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Google Play Movies. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The Bad Seed worth watching?
- The Bad Seed holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy thriller, drama, crime and horror. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The Bad Seed?
- The Bad Seed stars Nancy Kelly, Patty McCormack, Eileen Heckart, Henry Jones and Evelyn Varden.
- When was The Bad Seed released?
- The Bad Seed was released in 1956, with a runtime of about 129 minutes.