So, you're looking for the rock paper scissors cast, and honestly, it’s a bit of a maze. If you head over to IMDb or search results, you might get a little turned around because there are a few projects with similar titles. But usually, when people are digging into this, they’re talking about the 2017 horror-thriller Rock, Paper, Scissors (sometimes stylized as Rock Paper Dead). It’s one of those movies that flew under the radar for some but became a cult curiosity for horror buffs because of the heavy hitters involved behind the scenes.
It’s weird.
You have Tom Holland—no, not the Spider-Man guy, the legendary director of Child's Play and Fright Night—at the helm. Then you’ve got a script co-written by Victor Miller, the man who literally gave us Jason Voorhees in the original Friday the 13th. With a pedigree like that, you’d expect a massive blockbuster, but it ended up being this gritty, psychological indie project that really relies on its small, tight-knit cast to carry the tension.
The Core Players in the Rock Paper Scissors Cast
The movie centers on a serial killer named Peter Harris, who returns to his ancestral home after being released from a state hospital. Luke Macfarlane takes on the role of Peter. If he looks familiar, it’s probably because he’s a staple in Hallmark movies and starred in the rom-com Bros. Seeing him go from "charming leading man" to "recovering psychopathic killer" is a massive tonal shift. He plays it with this quiet, unsettling energy that makes you wonder if he’s actually reformed or just waiting for the right moment to snap.
Michael Madsen is also in this. Yeah, that Michael Madsen. The Reservoir Dogs icon plays Detective DeGauilo. Madsen basically carries a specific kind of gravelly-voiced authority into every scene he’s in. He’s the one hunting Harris, and his presence adds a layer of "old school" grit to the film.
Then there’s Tatum O’Neal.
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She plays Dr. Evelyn Bauer. O'Neal, of course, is the youngest person to ever win an Academy Award, and in this film, she provides the psychological weight. Her character is trying to navigate the mess that is Peter Harris's mind. It's an interesting dynamic. You have this legendary Oscar winner acting alongside a Hallmark star in a movie directed by the guy who made Chucky. It’s a wild mix.
Supporting Roles That Fill the Gaps
Jennifer Titus plays Ashley Grant, a character who finds herself in the crosshairs of Peter’s complicated past. Her performance is vital because she represents the "now"—the reality that Peter is trying to integrate into while his past demons (and his sister) keep pulling him back.
Speaking of the sister, Anna Margaret plays Victoria "Vicky" Harris. Her role is crucial because the "Rock, Paper, Scissors" of the title refers to a game the siblings played as children—a game that was tied to their father’s abusive and murderous tendencies.
- Luke Macfarlane as Peter Harris: The protagonist/antagonist struggling with his past.
- Michael Madsen as Detective DeGauilo: The seasoned investigator on his trail.
- Tatum O’Neal as Dr. Evelyn Bauer: The psychiatrist.
- Jennifer Titus as Ashley Grant: The neighbor/target.
- Anna Margaret as Victoria: The haunting sister.
- Maureen McCormick as Nurse Lynn: Yes, Marsha Brady herself makes an appearance!
Why the Casting Choices Matter for the Vibe
Honestly, the rock paper scissors cast feels like a fever dream of 70s, 80s, and modern TV stars. Think about it. You have Marsha Brady (Maureen McCormick) in a horror movie directed by the Fright Night guy. That’s not an accident. Tom Holland (the director) has always been great at taking familiar faces and putting them in dark, uncomfortable situations.
The chemistry—if you can call it that in a thriller—is intentionally jagged. Macfarlane is very polished and "clean," which makes his character's internal rot feel more pronounced when he's sharing a screen with someone as weathered and cinematic as Madsen.
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The film relies heavily on "The Serial Killer's House" trope. When the cast is confined to one primary location, the acting has to be top-notch or the whole thing falls apart. While the movie received mixed reviews from critics, the consensus was often that the cast did the best with what they had. They took a script that could have been a generic slasher and turned it into a weird, psychological character study.
Common Confusion: Is There Another Rock Paper Scissors?
You’ve gotta be careful when searching for the rock paper scissors cast because "Rock, Paper, Scissors" is also a 2017 South Korean drama (a "K-Drama" short film) and a 2013 short film by various creators.
The 2017 US film is the one people usually mean when they talk about the "cast" because of the celebrity names involved. If you see people talking about a "Rock, Paper, Scissors" movie involving a mysterious virus or a high-stakes gambling match, they might be talking about something else entirely, like the Chinese film Animal World, which is based on a manga where Rock, Paper, Scissors is a life-or-death game.
But for the Tom Holland/Victor Miller project, the list above is your definitive group. It’s a very specific "Who’s Who" of cult cinema and television history.
The Legacy of the 2017 Film
It didn't set the box office on fire. It didn't win any Oscars. But for fans of the genre, the rock paper scissors cast represents a specific moment in indie horror where legends of the craft (Holland and Miller) got together to play with the tropes they helped create.
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There's something almost nostalgic about seeing Michael Madsen and Tatum O'Neal in a room together. It feels like a late-night cable movie that you'd stumble upon at 2:00 AM and find yourself unable to turn off. The acting is far better than the budget might suggest. Macfarlane, in particular, proved he could handle much darker material than the "boyfriend in a Christmas sweater" roles he's usually known for.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Researchers
If you're planning on watching this for the cast or researching it for a film project, here are some things to keep in mind:
- Check the Title Variations: Depending on your streaming service, it might be listed as Rock Paper Dead. Don't let that throw you off; it's the same movie.
- Watch for the Cameos: Beyond the main stars, look for Nurse Lynn. Seeing Maureen McCormick in this environment is a trip for anyone who grew up with The Brady Bunch.
- Analyze the Directing Style: If you're a fan of Child's Play, look for Tom Holland's signature camera movements and how he builds suspense in tight hallways.
- Compare Performances: If you've only seen Luke Macfarlane in romantic comedies, watch this alongside one of his Hallmark films. The contrast is a masterclass in how an actor can use their "innocent" look to create something creepy.
- Contextualize the Writer: Keep in mind that Victor Miller wrote this. Look for the themes of family trauma and "the sins of the father," which are huge in the Friday the 13th mythos he started.
The movie serves as a reminder that a cast can make or break a small-budget thriller. Without the gravitas of Madsen or the vulnerability O'Neal brings, it might have been forgettable. Instead, it’s a weird little piece of horror history.
To get the most out of your viewing, look for the unrated version if possible, as the theatrical cuts sometimes trim the tension-building scenes that let the actors really breathe in their roles. Whether you’re a Michael Madsen completionist or a horror nerd following Tom Holland’s career, this cast offers a lot more than your standard B-movie lineup.