Don’t Trust the Girls Upstairs – Review

Don’t Trust the Girls Upstairs – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Ashley gets a call from police officers. Her sister, Courtney, drowned in her pool after a fall. Courtney leaves behind her daughter Serena. Serena’s father, Bobby, died 8 months ago. Ashley tells police that she will be there tomorrow to collect Serena. Ashley hangs up the phone, and her husband, Elliot, wonders if that’s a good idea. She and Courtney haven’t spoken for over a decade because Courtney had a volatile temper. He fears letting a stranger into their house, risking the safety of their children, Luna and Max. Ashley reiterates that family isn’t strangers.

Ashley arrives at Courtney’s home and finds police tape. While they believe she got drunk, slipped, and fell into the pool, they still want to investigate and do a toxicology report. Ashley goes upstairs to find Serena. Serena keeps her distance and questions where Ashley’s been. Ashley explains her complicated past with Courtney and brings Serena home. When they arrive, Ashley gives Serena the loft bedroom. That doesn’t sit well with Luna because her mother promised it to her when she turns 16 in a few weeks. Ashley tells Luna to be considerate of her cousin’s plight. Ashley believes it will take time for Serena to become acclimated to their family’s way of life. However, she will do everything to make Serena feel comfortable and wanted. When strange stuff starts happening, Ashley believes Serena has Courtney’s anger issues. But Serena says she’s not the cause. As Serena and Luna become friends, Ashley questions if Serena is a bad influence. Or worst, Luna is the ring leader. Who can Ashley trust?

Based on My Sister’s Daughter by Liv Constantine, this film is a lesson in misdirection (FTC Affiliate Disclaimer). It leads Lifetimers down the trope rabbit hole. It’s not long before you suspect everyone. This film’s pacing is solid with no wasted scenes. If an eagle-eyed viewer watches, they can spot the breadcrumbs leading to the killer. Also, the natural lighting and clean text on the screen make it easy for Lifetimers to see and read information that’s important to the plot. While the acting feels flat at times, the well-written story stands out. This film deserves a second viewing.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

I hope you’re okay with that – Ashley

I’ll protect you. You’re safe – Serena

I don’t know what you are talking about – Luna

Do we really want to subject our children to this – Elliot

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Who Killed My Husband’s Mistress – Review

Who Killed My Husband’s Mistress – LMN – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Megan believes she knows her husband’s affair partner, Lisa, although her husband, Nathan, denies it. She calls her sister, Molly, while she sits outside Lisa’s home. She plans to meet Lisa and have a civil conversation. However, Megan watches someone push Lisa off her balcony. Megan runs over to Lisa and calls 911 for help. After the police question her, Megan returns home. She finds the strength to confront Nathan. He tries to convince Megan that she’s insecure, but Megan doesn’t fall for it. Nathan leaves and stays with his stepmother, Gabrielle.

Megan works with a lawyer to draw up a divorce decree. She travels to Gabrielle’s home and presents it to Nathan. As Nathan sneers at Megan with contempt, she steps to the side, and a bullet goes through the window and into Nathan’s chest. Nathan dies on the scene, and a detective interviews Megan again. They uncover Lisa and Nathan’s affair along with Lisa’s pregnancy. The test revealed that Nathan was the father. This gives Megan a motive, plus she was at both crime scenes. Megan swears she didn’t do it. It was a case of wrong place, wrong time. The detective can’t hold her but asks her not to leave the area.

Megan informs her assistant, Molly, that she needs to take time off from work to handle Nathan’s affairs. Nathan’s partner, Alberta, will get his half of their company. And Megan has control of Nathan’s estate, including Gabrielle’s home. As police look into her, she uncovers Nathan’s secrets. However, it’s not long before the killer targets her. Can Megan find out who killed Nathan and Lisa before someone ends her life?

This film will get you, and all the clues were there. The writer played on Lifetimers expertise to predict the most likely suspect. And you will be wrong. Every character has a secret, suspicious behavior, and a link to Nathan. And Nathan used everyone in his orbit to advance his selfish needs. You won’t feel bad that he’s gone, but don’t give up on this mystery. While the pace is extremely slow, the final reveal makes it all worth it. So give this film a chance and put on your thinking cap.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

It’s so weird to hear her voice – Megan

You know I’m a good person – Alberta

If it makes you feel weird, I’ll stop – Molly

Molly’s behavior has nothing to do with you – Hannah

I was cleared by the police – Gabrielle

It’s complicated – Lisa

It makes you a failure – Nathan

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Ex Door Neighbor – Review

Ex Door Neighbor – Lifetime – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Imani excitedly drags her fiancé, Dean, to their condo appointment. The building has an extensive waiting list, so she is happy to see it. Attorney Deon is more concerned with work than the viewing. She fears he has cold feet, but he assures her he’s ready for this next step. The doorman, Teddy, gives them an abrupt greeting while the property manager, Nicolette, shows them the apartment. Deon wonders why an apartment is suddenly available. Imani pulls him aside and urges him to get over his fears. They sign the contract and purchase the condo.

After they move in, Imani’s sister, Jada, visits. Jada isn’t fond of Deon but respects Imani’s decision to marry him. Later, Imani and Deon walk to the lobby, and someone calls Deon Woody. Dean turns to see his ex-wife, Tamera. The building owner, Arthur, is her client, and Arthur wanted to settle things after his sister, Madeline, died. Tamera introduces herself, but Imani doesn’t like her hands-on approach. She warns Deon to keep his distance. However, it won’t be easy after Arthur dies and Tamera rent his old unit. This ex-wife wants her husband back and has a plan to destroy Imani. Who will win?

This film has a complex and intriguing storyline. The opening starts with Madeline’s murder. So viewers don’t know how it ties into the plot until later. The writer left several breadcrumbs for you to piece the story together. However, there’s so much scandal that it’s easy to ignore. The culprit’s monologue carefully weaves this tale together and leaves your jaw on the floor. This movie will throw any experienced Lifetime for a loop, and its careful framing draws you into every scene. It won’t be long before you are yelling at the screen. This compelling thriller is worthy of your time.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Something’s off – Deon

I’m not going to sit here and act fake – Jada

Well, I am the queen of surprises – Tamera

Why does she still have your last name – Imani

I was attacked – Nicolette

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Texas Two-Step – Review

Texas Two-Step – Hallmark – 2 hours and 0 minutes

Olivia pushes her workaholic boss, Meryl, out to the spa so she can start her vacation. As she gets Meryl into her car, Olivia’s cousin, Mason, calls. Her aunt Ruby had a dizzy spell and injured herself. Mason worries that running Sweetwaters will exacerbate her condition, but he begs Olivia to visit and stay mum about his call. Olivia tells her friend, June, that she has to cancel their vacation plans. June arrives at Olivia’s doorstep with her bags packed. She can’t wait to see Olivia’s hometown and the bar she raved so much about.

Olivia and June arrive at Sweetwaters and meet the Sugarfoots band. For Olivia, the local tavern looks, smells, and feels the same. Then, Mason arrives with Ruby. Ruby nicknames June Junebug and opens the front door. The patrons rush inside to eat, drink, and two-step. Olivia sees that her aunt is in high spirits. She feels the same until she sees a stack of letters on Ruby’s dining room table. It’s from a wealthy tech tycoon, Bryan, and he wants to buy Sweetwaters. Ruby wouldn’t dream of selling the business she and her late husband, Pete, built. However, Sweetwaters is in trouble. Pete missed several tax filings and owes $47,000. If they don’t pay, Ruby could lose Sweetwaters forever. Can Olivia rescue it?

Unlike other hallmark movies, this film takes its time revealing the conflict. That’s because it focuses on Olivia choosing between Bryan and her high-school love, Luke. That’s supposed to be the focal point of the film. However, Hallmarkies know who she will choose. So, the constant back and forth distracts from the film’s heart: Ruby and Junebug. Ruby and Junebug play a pivotal role in this film and offer wisdom to everyone. Ruby is smart, kind, and welcoming. It’s easy to see why Junebug is instantly enamored with her. The writers made Junebug Olivia’s point of truth. She always says what Olivia hides. This film’s western feel is fun, but viewers will be more interested in the subplots than the love story.

I give it 3.5 out of 5 stars

I’m going to 100% commit crimes with that woman – June

Yeah. This is heaven – Olivia

If you can find joy, grab a hold of it and don’t let it go – Ruby

I don’t think she can take on much more right now – Mason

You really are persistent – Luke

I might need a bit of a clean up – Bryan

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