Michael Harding

Michael Harding is the main protagonist of the 2009 thriller-slasher film The Stepfather. He has just returned home from a stint in military school due to his history of causing trouble and hopes for a fresh start. However, he soon becomes suspicious of the mysterious man his mother has recently become engaged too. 
He was portrayed by Penn Badgley, who also played Dan Humphrey in the CW series Gossip Girl.
== History ==
Michael fell into the wrong crowd and became an unruly teenager,, causing multiple problems for his mother and thus, she was forced to send him to military school in order to discipline him. A year later and he returns, reconnecting with is girlfriend Kelly and hoping for a fresh start with his mother, Susan. At a 'Welcome Home' barbecue, Susan introduces Michael to David Harris, her fiancé who she has only known for six months.
Michael is immediately suspicious of David, which starts when he mixes up the name of his supposed deceased daughter and also face suspicions from an elderly neighbor who believes David looks like a serial killer in a police sketch of one of America's most wanted criminals. Michael raises his suspicions with his mother and girlfriend, but they both dismiss him and think he's acting crazy.
Things get worse when the elderly neighbor dies in an 'accident' and David refuses to provide his employer (Susan's sister) with a photo ID and information about his past. Feeling the cold shoulder from both his girlfriend and mother, Michael tries to let his obsession with David go and hopes for a fresh start. However, David's behavior grows even more concerning and Michael continues to investigate and sees the police sketch, which only makes him even more concerned over who David truly is.
In the middle of a storm, Michael uses this opportunity to break into the garage (which has been locked by David) in hopes to see what he's hiding in there while Kelly is outside on the lookout. Michael finds his father's cellphone and continues to search his belongings. He is shocked to discover the dead body of his father in the freezer and before he can gather himself, hear's Kelly (who has come to look for him) scream in horror after being knocked out by David who then seals the garage shut.
Michael scrambles to find a way out of the garage, especially upon hearing his mother upstairs being chased by David. He breaks free and goes to help Kelly then his mother, who has just stabbed David with a piece of glass. David has survived and fights with Michael, first in the attic which then escalates onto the roof until both of them fall from it and are knocked out on the ground below.
1 month later and Michael wakes up from a coma to see Kelly and his mother comforting him. He asks where David is and Susan tells him he fled the scene before the police arrived and is still on the run.
Category:Horror Heroes
Category:Thriller Heroes
Category:Male
Category:Selfless
Category:Protectors
Category:Falsely Accused
Category:Fighters
Category:Lawful Good
Category:Loyal
Category:Paranoid
Category:Mischievous
Category:Misguided
Category:In Love