Actually, the best actor in the movie was Christine herself.
"People knockin' but they can't come in!"

I thought Keith Gordon held his own as Arnie fairly well, but the others didn't leave much of an impression.

I wouldn't call them 'weak' but none of them really stand out as strong actors. The chemistry between Arnie and Leigh is missing entirely. I did like the relationship between Arnie and Dennis.

the actress who played Leigh was awful
so many movies, so little time

Alexandra Paul was bad, but everyone else was fine.

I very much disagree with this topic. Shallow and pedantic.
Keith Gordon was outstanding. His transformation has not received the notoriety it should have. Robert Prosky creates a very memorable character in a bit part. In fact, many of the small parts were very well acted. Harry Dean Stanton, Roberts Blossom, and William Ostrander all stand out. The scene when Arnie attacks his father is very chilling. That meek little nerd now has his dad by the throat calling him a mofo? What movie were YOU watching?
People sometimes overlook that was a John Carpenter movie. He usually was able to coax believable performances from actors in well crafted genre films.
They're in the
yard
not too
far
from the
car

That scene towards the end where he's driving with Dennis & talking about how deep his love for Christinetotally his best scene in the film. His whole demeanor was truly scary in that scene. Keith Gordon is an amazing actor!

I disagree. Keith Gordon showed he has enormous range and with no formal training he rose to the challenge.
Christine destroyed the chemistry between his best friend and his girl friend, nothing was going to get in the way of Arnie and Christine. I thought that dynamic was fairly obvious, no?
It's all a deep end.

Agree, ccr I particularly liked the scene with Junkins questioning Arnie about Christine getting trashed. Gordon was convincingly intense, and more than held his own with HDS.
As silly as this movie sometimes is, I can watch it anytime.

When I was younger, I remember thinking his mother was a total b*tch. But upon watching the blu-ray a couple times (once for the movie and once for the commentary), I actually saw a bit of humanity out of her, especially when she expressed human concern with Dennis in the driveway after Arnie ditches him and she talks about the death that happened in Christine.
There is a short deleted scene of her crying and showing concern for Arnie while he is sleeping that I think should have been left in to further humanize her.

I like all the acting. Years ago, when I 1st saw the movie, I thought Arnie's mom was a little over the top, but after re watching, I've changed my mind. She's very convincing as the control freak who's losing control.

Not many. he plays the nerd and cool guy with equal conviction. That's good acting.

Rubbish. Keith Gordon is a terrific actor who did a fine job of transitioning from the hopelessly awkward class dork to a slick and callous bastard. The scene where Arnie is having it out with his parents at the dinner table and his father chases him down after he told them to f'off, and Arnie grabs him by the throat and says "Get your mitts off me mutherf'ker," that's great acting. Completely believable and better than anything a phony like Leonardo DiCaprio could ever have mustered in his 20s. Gordon delivers his lines with real conviction. I'd really love to hear suggestions of current generation actors between 20-30 who would've done a more credible job.

Totally disagree, I think that the acting and character relations are the films strongest suit in an otherwise ridiculous premise.

I cracked up at Arnie's goofy facial expressions during that scene.

Totally agree. Especially the scene towards the end when Arnie and his friend are driving, the actor try to look scary and it is honestly laughable. It looks like a parody.