It was clear that the filmmakers wanted to dramatize how a vulnerable teenager may come under the influence of a troubled peer which results in a series of life-damaging consequences. The character of Olivia is one of those predators who carefully select the most sensitive person and proceed to suck the life out of the victim in order to placate their insatiable sense of neediness.
Unfortunately, the character of Deandra Laird had enough backbone and the kind of self-confidence that made it unconvincing that she would fall under the spell of the deranged Olivia.
The most outlandish moment was when Olivia entered into Deandra's room while she was sleeping and instantly convinced her to leave school and run away to New York. The two young women simply start walking and hitch a ride!
The backstory of Olivia was also not very well detailed. In the film's opening scene, we witness one of Olivia's outbursts with her friend Liberty, who topples over a bridge and falls to her death. But the story of what happened to Olivia's mother was never made clear. Apparently, Olivia was present when the mother committed suicide. If that is the case, Olivia never lifted a finger to try to save her.
The most sympathetic character was Deandra's mother Renée, a single parent and a nurse. The mother moved to a new city after Deandra had behavioral problems in school. But the move did not make a difference in large part due to Deandra's sullen and ungrateful attitude. One feels more for the mother than for the bratty kid.
The film is noteworthy for a raucous and wild motel bathroom scene in which the true colors of Olivia finally become apparent to young Deandra. But in the end, this was a depressing film evidently based on true events. The film's denouement implied that Olivia has not yet received the help she so desperately needs, as she has singled out a vulnerable patient in a nut house who will be her next victim.
Unfortunately, the character of Deandra Laird had enough backbone and the kind of self-confidence that made it unconvincing that she would fall under the spell of the deranged Olivia.
The most outlandish moment was when Olivia entered into Deandra's room while she was sleeping and instantly convinced her to leave school and run away to New York. The two young women simply start walking and hitch a ride!
The backstory of Olivia was also not very well detailed. In the film's opening scene, we witness one of Olivia's outbursts with her friend Liberty, who topples over a bridge and falls to her death. But the story of what happened to Olivia's mother was never made clear. Apparently, Olivia was present when the mother committed suicide. If that is the case, Olivia never lifted a finger to try to save her.
The most sympathetic character was Deandra's mother Renée, a single parent and a nurse. The mother moved to a new city after Deandra had behavioral problems in school. But the move did not make a difference in large part due to Deandra's sullen and ungrateful attitude. One feels more for the mother than for the bratty kid.
The film is noteworthy for a raucous and wild motel bathroom scene in which the true colors of Olivia finally become apparent to young Deandra. But in the end, this was a depressing film evidently based on true events. The film's denouement implied that Olivia has not yet received the help she so desperately needs, as she has singled out a vulnerable patient in a nut house who will be her next victim.
