Deadly Innocents

My review was written in August 1990 after watching the movie on Quest Entertainment video cassette.

Ingenious plot devices energize the thriller "Deadly Innocents", a Florida-made gothic recently released to video stores.

Young Amanda Wyss gives an uninhibited performance as Angela, a woman raised by her religious fanatic dad as a boy (Andy) but given to an active fantasy life in which she dresses up in feminine garb and makeup.

Following her dad's opening-reel death of a heart attack she begins coming out of her shell.

Parallel scripting teams Wyss up with another schizo character, Mary Crosby, whose timid gal personality, Beth, is dominated by murderous Cathy, latter getting Crosby thrown in an asylum. Crosby escapes and hides out in Wyss' attic, befriending the youngster.

With several scenes reminiscent of the classic "Diabolique", the film segues to clever final-reel twists and a campy ending.

Crosby throws herself into the dual role with relish and is more amusing than scary as a femme fatale. Wyss is poignant and Bonnie Hellman scores.