A cul-de-sac in an oppressive suburb becomes a literal dead end for wife and mother Karen Christianson when she is brutally murdered in her own home. In the wake of the event, Karen's teenage daughter Ellie begins to exhibit bizarre behaviors as she slowly acquires her mother's demeanor and mannerisms. Meanwhile, Karen's husband Ben nurtures a less-than-innocent interest in the family's sultry live-in nanny, Lena.
Acting
Julia Stiles commits to full unhinged sociopath.
Writing
Wildean-level family dysfunction, zero subtlety.
Production
Nineties suburbia shot like a funeral home.
Director
Michael Steinberg
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Julia Stiles filmed this at 16, same year as her breakout in 10 Things I Hate About You.
Part of a weird 90s wave of 'evil teen girl' thrillers—think The Crush, Poison Ivy, Wild Things.
US
