The Bad Seed/YMMV


 * Adaptation Displacement: More people know the movie than the play or the book.
 * Alternative Character Interpretation: The film pushes the question whether Rhoda's sociopathy is influenced by her serial killer grandmother's genes or from being spoiled rotten all her life, though more likely it's a combination of both; her genes may have not affected her so much had she not been spoiled and led to believe she should have anything that she wants. Christine, after all, has those same genetics and turned out fine.
 * Complete Monster: Rhoda is definitely one.
 * High Octane Nightmare Fuel
 * Selfish Evil: Rhoda has neither conscience nor empathy and has no issues with killing to get what she wants.
 * She's Just Hiding: We never do see Rhoda's body after the lightning strikes the pier.
 * The Woobie: Christine, and especially Mrs. Daigle, who only has vague suspicions about what really happened to her son that no one takes seriously.