Last night's fare was two Lifetime movies, one called "Don't Wake Mommy" which had had its "world premiere" the night before, and another called "Bad Sister" which was having its "world premiere" last night. "Don't Wake Mommy" was written and directed by one Chris Sivertson but followed the Christine Conradt formula so closely he (or she?) might as well have called it "The Perfect New Mom." The gimmick is that Donna (Reagan Pasternak) and her husband, firefighter Brad (the genuinely hot Dean Geyer — at least Sivertson did not follow the usual Lifetime convention of casting good-looking men only as villains!), are about to have a baby girl, Ava. Meanwhile, Beth (Sara Rue, whose IMDb.com head shot shows her in a nurse's uniform even though her character, though established as a nurse, isn't shown working as one) is introduced threatening the married (to someone else) doctor who fathered her child-to-be, a boy named Robert. She, the doctor and his wife have a confrontation in which Beth takes out a large kitchen knife and threatens to kill either the other two or herself, but she eventually slinks away in frustration and logs on to a Web site for new mothers, where she and Donna meet. The two women ultimately meet face-to-face and become friends, and use each other as baby sitters as needed. Only, since Sivertson's script has already established that Beth is crazy, we're bracing ourselves for the eventual (and inevitable) scenes in which Beth starts manifesting her craziness around Donna and gets in the way of Donna, Brad and their kid. "Don't Wake Mommy" — a rather confusing title — is Lifetime at its most routine, a by-the-numbers psycho thriller in which Sara Rue doesn't even achieve the appealingly chilly psychopathology of her predecessors in this sort of role (she makes Ashley Dulaney's performance as the analogous character in "The House Sitter" look better by comparison than I thought Dulaney was when I watched that film) and the denouement is all too predictable — indeed, throughout this movie we're anticipating each turn of the plot at least two commercial breaks ahead, evoking memories of Dwight Macdonald's praise of the 1941 version of "The Maltese Falcon" for keeping us a beat or two behind the director (the young John Huston, making his first film) instead of always ahead of him!
11 Reviews
**
edwagreen9 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
It's wild and wacky to the core.
We're led to believe that a woman got pregnant from a doctor, the doctor she worked for as a nurse and that he wanted nothing to do with her and the baby.
She then proceeds to me a new mother on the internet who has just given birth and is suffering from post-having a baby depression. What she does to this woman, besides killing her friend, who finds out about her, is enough to drive anyone up the wall.
Wait until you meet the girl's mother. The girl, if possible, seems normal compared to the mother, who is totally off the deep end. No wonder the daughter, who took the little boy she claims that is hers, is quite a nut job.
Notice the film takes the Lifetime trend of someone coming into your life and posing as someone else or just normal and in the meantime, they absolutely reek havoc on all concerned.
The problem with this film is just that's it's so off the wall with unbelievable sequences, you can get lost in all this. In fact, it's better if you do.
We're led to believe that a woman got pregnant from a doctor, the doctor she worked for as a nurse and that he wanted nothing to do with her and the baby.
She then proceeds to me a new mother on the internet who has just given birth and is suffering from post-having a baby depression. What she does to this woman, besides killing her friend, who finds out about her, is enough to drive anyone up the wall.
Wait until you meet the girl's mother. The girl, if possible, seems normal compared to the mother, who is totally off the deep end. No wonder the daughter, who took the little boy she claims that is hers, is quite a nut job.
Notice the film takes the Lifetime trend of someone coming into your life and posing as someone else or just normal and in the meantime, they absolutely reek havoc on all concerned.
The problem with this film is just that's it's so off the wall with unbelievable sequences, you can get lost in all this. In fact, it's better if you do.
Thriller that Explores Covert Narcissism
stpaulllpm19 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
I noticed a number of reviews on this from politically-minded types internalizing any and all displays of female fragility displayed in this film as evidence of "misogyny" on the part of the writer, director, etc, which I found incredibly irrational, and likely an admission of some deep insecurities that this movie must have triggered in certain viewers.
In reality, this film is an entirely competent, if relatively unoriginal, little drama/thriller that escalates in tension and whose story unfolds in a kind of detective fashion that I quite enjoyed. I will say, the chemistry between the main actress and her husband felt off, but other than that, I found the performances quite realistic.
If you're interested in psychology, it's especially satisfying in how this film effectively showcases the personality of a typical female covert narcissist, and how they incrementally dominate emotionally vulnerable people through love-bombing and deception.
Other complaints that I saw were people dismissing the plot as "absurd", "ridiculous", and "farfetched", but there are people in the world who behave this way, they're not incredibly common, but they absolutely exist. I've met them, and anyone else who has will appreciate the disordered pathology addressed in this film.
In reality, this film is an entirely competent, if relatively unoriginal, little drama/thriller that escalates in tension and whose story unfolds in a kind of detective fashion that I quite enjoyed. I will say, the chemistry between the main actress and her husband felt off, but other than that, I found the performances quite realistic.
If you're interested in psychology, it's especially satisfying in how this film effectively showcases the personality of a typical female covert narcissist, and how they incrementally dominate emotionally vulnerable people through love-bombing and deception.
Other complaints that I saw were people dismissing the plot as "absurd", "ridiculous", and "farfetched", but there are people in the world who behave this way, they're not incredibly common, but they absolutely exist. I've met them, and anyone else who has will appreciate the disordered pathology addressed in this film.
The worst
denisesiegelwriter22 January 2016
Hey lifetime hire someone with lady parts to write your scripts. a monkey could have written a more insightful story about a barnacle. Besides be incredibly slow, the underlying misogyny oozing from every pore of this film was distressing. How could a channel meant for women make a film that was offensively ignorant of what being a mother, wife, woman, human, living creature be? I have never seen anything so insanely 2-dimensional and lacking in insight or even entertainment value. I felt very badly for the actresses who had to try to give life to this absolutely inane script. I hope lifetime learns a lesson from this - the lesson is simple. Women are people too.
LMN does it again
geoffox-766-41846725 August 2016
Sorry but I found this one not only far fetched but actually silly. The story was predictable. The characters so outlandish I actually felt sorry for the actors having to portray them. Choice of casting was okay but for leading lady played by Ashley Bell. She was nuts. She played her role as if she were mentally ill. Too much. Sara Rue did somewhat better as the bad guy. Just enough phony smiles and evil glances to make her a threat. The usual baby scare, abduction, unattended mother with problems as an easy target for the evil guy. What annoyed me most is the unsuspecting mother hadn't a clue when it was so obvious as to her lying friend.
The ending was not satisfying enough. The evil person should have gone through more torture for the torture she caused her friend. Oh, yes, the babies were wonderful and natural. Best casting of the film.
The ending was not satisfying enough. The evil person should have gone through more torture for the torture she caused her friend. Oh, yes, the babies were wonderful and natural. Best casting of the film.
Watchable thriller, though very generic and predictable...
paul_haakonsen17 May 2021
Well, I had the opportunity to sit down and watch the 2015 thriller "Don't Wake Mommy" (aka "Dark Intentions") here in 2021. And since it was a movie that I hadn't already seen, of course I did sit down to watch it.
And I have to admit that the fact that the movie had Sara Rue, Ashley Bell, Denise Crosby and Harry Van Gorkum on the cast list definitely helped to win me over. Just a shame though, that Denise Crosby and Harry Van Gorkum had so very little on-screen time in the movie.
It was nice to see Sara Rue in a movie such as "Don't Wake Mommy", and she really performed quite well in the movie, with her portrayal as Beth - a deranged woman. She really made the movie well-worth sitting through, together with the performance of Ashley Bell.
Sure, the storyline told in "Don't Wake Mommy" was as predictable as they come, but there still was something about it that just worked. It was perhaps a combination of an adequate storyline, albeit generic and predictable one, mixed with some interesting characters and some good acting performances.
While "Don't Wake Mommy" was watchable, writer and director Chris Sivertson hardly managed to deliver a movie that can sustain more than just a single viewing. Yeah, there just isn't enough contents to the storyline to make it a movie you'd watch more than once.
I did, however, actually enjoy this movie and it turned out better than I had anticipated it would. Hence, I am rating "Don't Wake Mommy" a six out of ten stars.
And I have to admit that the fact that the movie had Sara Rue, Ashley Bell, Denise Crosby and Harry Van Gorkum on the cast list definitely helped to win me over. Just a shame though, that Denise Crosby and Harry Van Gorkum had so very little on-screen time in the movie.
It was nice to see Sara Rue in a movie such as "Don't Wake Mommy", and she really performed quite well in the movie, with her portrayal as Beth - a deranged woman. She really made the movie well-worth sitting through, together with the performance of Ashley Bell.
Sure, the storyline told in "Don't Wake Mommy" was as predictable as they come, but there still was something about it that just worked. It was perhaps a combination of an adequate storyline, albeit generic and predictable one, mixed with some interesting characters and some good acting performances.
While "Don't Wake Mommy" was watchable, writer and director Chris Sivertson hardly managed to deliver a movie that can sustain more than just a single viewing. Yeah, there just isn't enough contents to the storyline to make it a movie you'd watch more than once.
I did, however, actually enjoy this movie and it turned out better than I had anticipated it would. Hence, I am rating "Don't Wake Mommy" a six out of ten stars.
Don't bother
phd_travel29 January 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of those lifetime movies that isn't worth tuning into.
Post partum depression is the subject here. Could have been very interesting if they had done it about how a crazy mother acts out and endangers loved ones including her baby. Instead it's about a depressed mother who meets a wacko who carries around a fake baby! Don't care for the motivations of the wacko played annoyingly by Sara Rue. The mother isn't that sympathetic either. The opening scene wacko freak out is badly directed too.
Don't bother with this one. The cast isn't appealing and it's lazily written stuff.
Post partum depression is the subject here. Could have been very interesting if they had done it about how a crazy mother acts out and endangers loved ones including her baby. Instead it's about a depressed mother who meets a wacko who carries around a fake baby! Don't care for the motivations of the wacko played annoyingly by Sara Rue. The mother isn't that sympathetic either. The opening scene wacko freak out is badly directed too.
Don't bother with this one. The cast isn't appealing and it's lazily written stuff.
Post-Partum Depression Film
lavatch27 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
On one level, "Don't Wake Mommy" (a.k.a., "Dark Intentions") is a potboiler about a psycho named Bethany (Beth), who is suffering from paranoid and delusional behavior to the degree that she believes she can steal babies. But on a more profound level, the film is about Molly's struggle with post-partum depression and her natural inclination to latch on to someone like Bethany.
Molly has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Ava. While both Molly and Brad are proud parent, they recognize that Molly is struggling to cope with life after the birthing experience. The nice nurse named Julia recommends that Molly seek professional guidance from Dr. Maya Popovic. But Molly refuses to acknowledge that anything is wrong with her. Instead, she enters onto a website named "Today's New Moms," where she meets the effervescent Bethany.
A shortcoming of the film was the slow both Molly and Brad were to recognize that Bethany is a complete psycho. A crucial moment occurred when Bethany had a meltdown in a bar. Yet Molly and Brad still allowed her into their home and called upon Bethany to babysit little Ava. Of course, Bethany has her sights set on kidnapping Ava.
Molly's bestie and co-worker named Susan Baxter immediately recognized danger signs with Bethany. She investigated, and the troubling background she discovered was that Bethany could not have children and was dissembling in claiming that little Robert was her baby. In fact, she stole Robert from a nice couple in the neighborhood.
If Susan could see through Bethany's game, why were Molly and Brad incapable of doing the same? It was especially troubling that Molly failed to recognize that Bethany was drugging her, making her lethargic, and setting her up for the right moment to swipe the kid.
Then, when she discovered Susan Baxter's corpse in her closest, Molly suddenly had a burst of energy after being drugged and made a beeline to Bethany's mother's house to confront the kidnapper. It was totally unbelievable that Molly would be transmogrified in an instant from a sleeping zombie to Wonder Woman.
While the intentions of the filmmakers were good in attempting to shine the light on post-partum depression, the execution of the film was a little lame in the area of credibility when it came to the Molly's placing so much trust in the psychotic enabler she met online.
Molly has just given birth to a beautiful baby girl named Ava. While both Molly and Brad are proud parent, they recognize that Molly is struggling to cope with life after the birthing experience. The nice nurse named Julia recommends that Molly seek professional guidance from Dr. Maya Popovic. But Molly refuses to acknowledge that anything is wrong with her. Instead, she enters onto a website named "Today's New Moms," where she meets the effervescent Bethany.
A shortcoming of the film was the slow both Molly and Brad were to recognize that Bethany is a complete psycho. A crucial moment occurred when Bethany had a meltdown in a bar. Yet Molly and Brad still allowed her into their home and called upon Bethany to babysit little Ava. Of course, Bethany has her sights set on kidnapping Ava.
Molly's bestie and co-worker named Susan Baxter immediately recognized danger signs with Bethany. She investigated, and the troubling background she discovered was that Bethany could not have children and was dissembling in claiming that little Robert was her baby. In fact, she stole Robert from a nice couple in the neighborhood.
If Susan could see through Bethany's game, why were Molly and Brad incapable of doing the same? It was especially troubling that Molly failed to recognize that Bethany was drugging her, making her lethargic, and setting her up for the right moment to swipe the kid.
Then, when she discovered Susan Baxter's corpse in her closest, Molly suddenly had a burst of energy after being drugged and made a beeline to Bethany's mother's house to confront the kidnapper. It was totally unbelievable that Molly would be transmogrified in an instant from a sleeping zombie to Wonder Woman.
While the intentions of the filmmakers were good in attempting to shine the light on post-partum depression, the execution of the film was a little lame in the area of credibility when it came to the Molly's placing so much trust in the psychotic enabler she met online.
Wake Up, Mommy!
wes-connors16 January 2016
In the opening minutes, we meet overly perky brunette Sara Rue (as Beth). Obviously pregnant, the ex-nurse visits an older couple. The man wants to stay with his wife, leaving Ms. Rue to struggle as a single mother. Rue furiously grabs a kitchen knife and goes "Lifetime TV movie" psycho. We don't know if she's going to slash her wrists, kill the prospective father, or plunge the knife into her own fetus. You'll have to see for yourself. The action quickly switches to wrung-out blonde Ashley Bell (as Molly). A new mother, Ms. Bell may be suffering from postpartum depression. After conferring with her hunky Los Angeles fireman husband Dean Geyer (as Brad), Bell decides to join an Internet support group for new mothers...
Yep, Bell hooks up with perky mama Rue from the opening scene...
"Don't Wake Mommy" is a routine entry in the psycho mother genre. Many scenes work, but there are major problems as characters move too quickly in the editing room. It gets difficult in the second half. At times, it seems like parts of the story are missing. Once, after a commercial break insert, a fairly large chunk of story appears to be missing. Characters move around illogically. One of the final scenes is mind-boggling as it suggests a character has completed an impossible crawl. Alex Essoe (as Susan Baxter) does well in the predictable best friend role and Mads Heldtberg's music is a strength. Alas, writer-director Chris Sivertson may not have had enough time or support to turn in a more acceptable product.
*** Don't Wake Mommy (2015/11/09) Chris Sivertson ~ Ashley Bell, Sara Rue, Dean Geyer, Alex Essoe
Yep, Bell hooks up with perky mama Rue from the opening scene...
"Don't Wake Mommy" is a routine entry in the psycho mother genre. Many scenes work, but there are major problems as characters move too quickly in the editing room. It gets difficult in the second half. At times, it seems like parts of the story are missing. Once, after a commercial break insert, a fairly large chunk of story appears to be missing. Characters move around illogically. One of the final scenes is mind-boggling as it suggests a character has completed an impossible crawl. Alex Essoe (as Susan Baxter) does well in the predictable best friend role and Mads Heldtberg's music is a strength. Alas, writer-director Chris Sivertson may not have had enough time or support to turn in a more acceptable product.
*** Don't Wake Mommy (2015/11/09) Chris Sivertson ~ Ashley Bell, Sara Rue, Dean Geyer, Alex Essoe
Average entertaining LFMC
bt698nhj20 June 2023
I like many lifetime movies. This was on par with most.
ABOUT MY REVIEWS:
I do not include a synopsis of the film/show -- you can get that anywhere and that does not constitute a meaningful review -- but rather my thoughts and feelings on the film that hopefully will be informative to you in deciding whether to invest 90-180 minutes of your life on it.
My scale: 1-5 decreasing degrees of "terrible", with 5 being "mediocre" 6- OK. Generally held my interest OR had reasonable cast and/or cinematography, might watch it again 7 - Good. My default rating for a movie I liked enough to watch again, but didn't rise to the upper echelons 8- Very good. Would watch again and recommend to others 9- Outstanding. Would watch over and over; top 10% of my ratings 10 - A classic. (Less than 2% receive this rating). For Lifetime Movies for Chicks (LMFC), drop the above scale by 3 notches. A 6 is excellent and 7 almost unattainable.
ABOUT MY REVIEWS:
I do not include a synopsis of the film/show -- you can get that anywhere and that does not constitute a meaningful review -- but rather my thoughts and feelings on the film that hopefully will be informative to you in deciding whether to invest 90-180 minutes of your life on it.
My scale: 1-5 decreasing degrees of "terrible", with 5 being "mediocre" 6- OK. Generally held my interest OR had reasonable cast and/or cinematography, might watch it again 7 - Good. My default rating for a movie I liked enough to watch again, but didn't rise to the upper echelons 8- Very good. Would watch again and recommend to others 9- Outstanding. Would watch over and over; top 10% of my ratings 10 - A classic. (Less than 2% receive this rating). For Lifetime Movies for Chicks (LMFC), drop the above scale by 3 notches. A 6 is excellent and 7 almost unattainable.
This movie knows what I want and gives it to me
devonglenn-4748012 August 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I liked all of it: the babies, the betrayals, the big tantrums, and the mom who just wanted to take a nap. The postpartum depression angle worked for me. It started with something relatable and spun it into something completely bonkers. When Molly (Ashley Bell) shook the walls of her craftsman bungalow yelling "Will you stop trying to fix everything!!!" , it fixed the part of my soul that had forgotten how to have a good time. When Beth (Sara Rue) rolled her eyes and told Susan (Alex Essoe), "At least you gave her a rock," I spit out my Chex mix into my champagne and drank it anyway. This movie should win an Emmy for Best Performance by an Amethyst. Sure, there was an outdoor scene where everyone sounded like they were hanging out inside a seashell, but so what? If you go into this movie looking for realism, you will miss the fact that there is a club called "bumpers" or something where women put water balloons in their shirts and go out as pregnant ladies, although some prefer to use other materials. Why aren't more people talking about this? Personally, I love the psycho friend trope, and this is one of the best representations of the genre that I've seen in years.
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