A Daughter's Nightmare

In a mournful opening scene, pretty blonde daughter Emily Osment (as Ariel Morgan) and likewise pretty blonde mom Victoria Pratt (as Dana) attend the funeral of their father and husband. Nearby, recent widower Paul Johansson (as Adam Smith) places flowers on his wife's grave. He has recently moved from Seattle into the neighborhood, with handsome stepson Gregg Sulkin (as Ben Woods). The younger man has bountiful lips and mismatched socks, which are noticed by Ms. Osment. They attend the same college. The sock notice given to Mr. Sulkin is one in a pattern of oddities which provide the most intrigue in this otherwise routine TV movie. You do get the feeling writer Shelley Gillen and director Vic Sarin are trying to make it interesting...

Another highlight is the color photography, also credited to Mr. Sarin. The attractive leading players are given good support, especially by veterinarian Richard Karn (as Cameron Morgan). The keenly observant neighbor kid, young Jaden Rain (as Brooks) seems to have some ties with the whole "A (family member)'s Nightmare" series, from Sarin and company. Alas, this story's weakness is difficult to overcome – the characters often lapse into amnesia. They don't seem to catch on to events, from scene to scene. Most irritating example of this is the Dixie Chicks "birthday concert" segment, which should have revealed something serious was amiss. Good thing mother and daughter don't investigate the mix-up, or we might have only half a movie.

***** A Daughter's Nightmare (5/3/14) Vic Sarin ~ Emily Osment, Victoria Pratt, Paul Johansson, Gregg Sulkin

The thing I love most about this movie is how natural the acting is. Emily Osment just have this easy-going approachability thing about her. She seems so down to earth and delivers her lines and performance with such ease.

I like how Emily and Victoria Pratt interact with each other. They seem like a real mother & daughter duo that has a wonderful & healthy relationship. The way they talk to each other is so nice to watch. It makes the movie seem realistic and easy to view. Even though there are some heavy situations going on in the film, the daughter portrays strength & common sense and you just have faith that they're going to get through it. Emily's character is very savvy. Finally a character in a Lifetime movie that has a clue! I like the fact that this movie isn't too heavy and there are no scenes that make you roll your eyes due to "lifetime ridiculousness" (extreme over-acting of a character, plot holes, terrible camera work, flat acting) Although the villain is extremely annoying to me.

This is the perfect movie to relax on the couch with a blanket and some snacks. Not too exciting but definitely not ridiculous. Very much worth a watch! One of my favorites.

Wasn't bad but it's just like most lifetime movies I see

Ariel (Emily Osment) loses her father and her mother Dana (Victoria Pratt) is struggling. At college, Ariel is befriended by Ben (Gregg Sulkin) who seems to be an obsessive volatile stalker. Dana is befriended by Ben's stepfather Adam (Paul Johansson) who seems to be a nice guy at the widowers' support group. Cameron (Richard Karn) is the brother of Dana's late husband Jack. Ariel is suspicious of Adam as he gets closer to her mother.

This is a perfectly Lifey Lifetime movie. There are women in danger and scary threats are lurking behind every male character. It's all very lifeless with a tired tension running through the movie. There is a nice misdirection throughout but the movie does not take advantage of it. It should be ramping up to a great action thriller but it flatlines into bland TV movie of the week.

What more can I say other than someone should teach the dumb, dumb mother how to row! The daughter is the only one with gumption and smarts. If this was reality, the lame-ass boyfriend would have been caught long ago. It doesn't get much worse than this.