Early on my husband and I commented about the bad writing and acting. Yet, we agreed to keep watching it despite the flaws. It got a bit better and we watched to the end, we are just glad that it was on Netflix so we didn't have to pay for it.
Secrets of My Stepdaughter
2017
Action / Thriller
Plot summary
A mother protects her stepdaughter after the teenager witnesses the murder of her best friend, but is soon forced to come to grips with the terrifying possibility that her stepdaughter may be the real killer.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
Oddly entertaining
Loving Child, Honors Student, and Role Model
Young Rachel Kent has come to live with her father and stepmother after growing up with her mother, Martha. After three months in residence in the Kent household, Rachel is involved in an apparent robbery at the clothing store where she works. Her best friend, Leslie Miles, is killed, but Rachel survives with some minor injuries. But there are deep, dark secrets at the heart of the story of Rachel Kent.
The dramatic action is anchored by Cindy Kent, the stepmother of Rachel and the spouse of Greg, a high-profile attorney. Unfortunately, Greg is so deeply attached to Rachel and too guilt-ridden for not being a part of her past life that he cannot see the danger signals in his daughter's disturbing behavior. Even when Cindy is verbally and physically abused by Rachel, Greg comes to the daughter's defense.
The role of Cindy was played by Josie "Lifetime" Davis, a great fan favorite. She brings a warmth and sensitivity to the role of the kind stepmother. Everyone wants to see Josie act in more Lifetime pictures.
The rest of the cast admirably performed their roles with one of the standouts the wily Detective Pam Cherfils. Early on, Detective Cherfils recognized that Rachel's story about the robbery did not hold up. Yet she received no support from the top brass, especially her by-the-book supervisor Lieutenant Brian Smith, who chose to pursue a flimsy case against Aaron Barker, an acquaintance of the decedent, Leslie Miles. Leslie's dear mother Tess also provided helpful clues about the girls stealing from the clothing store.
A couple of the defining moments in the film were when Cindy observed Rachel priming before a mirror and rehearsing the sob story that she would deliver to the media. In another fateful moment at the Crestview Motel, Rachel's birth mother, Martha Cook, is working as a maid. She informs a shocked Cindy that for fifteen years, she had been a prisoner in her own home.
Armed with that knowledge, Cindy then moves into action to see to it that she will not be a similar prisoner and that the color of orange befits Rachel in her new jumpsuit at the state asylum for mentally disturbed criminals.
it's Lifetime
Rachel (Tiera Skovbye) has been living with her father Greg, stepmother Cindy Kent (Josie Davis),and stepsister Addy for three months after her biological mother disappeared. Greg is away for business. Cindy is concerned when Rachel doesn't contact her after work. She assumes that Rachel is staying with her best friend Leslie. The next day, Cindy goes to the store to find Rachel unconscious and Leslie dead beside her. After a few incidents, Cindy starts to suspect that Rachel may actually be the killer.
The alternative title is A Murderer Upstairs which reveals the big twist. I do wonder about Tiera's long term viability as a leading lady. She's definitely pretty enough to have a long Hollywood career. She could be a villain. She has the icy cold stare but her crazy needs a bit of work. It's scatter work and unrefined. It's a little awkward.
This is a Lifetime movie and the female protagonist has to be alone against the world. That would explain the weak pathetic husband. "I can't do this", is a recurring refrain as the characters walk away. Addy is also dumb but at least, she has the excuse that her mother never says that Rachel is dangerous. There is a good fun section as she starts unraveling the secrets. In the end, it's only Lifetime and it has a few too many eye-rolling moments.