This film was far too violent. It started with a realistic premise of spousal abuse when Sara Hansen decides to fake her death and assume a new identity by moving from Tacoma, Washington to Turlan, West Virginia. Early in the film, Sara confidently tells her boss Christine that "I can change him," when referring to her deranged husband Ryan. But that never happens in a film that turns into a little shop of horrors.

Ryan Hansen, the villain of the film, is a character who appears to do very little work for his company. Rather, his life is devoted to tormenting his wife. Ryan's moods can change on a dime. Finally, Sara decides to stage her death in a remote cave in the Pacific Northwest. But she leaves behind a telltale sign in the form of bank papers and a brochure on how to change one's identity.

Ryan discovers the evidence and makes a beeline to West Virginia after killing in cold blood the private investigator he hired to locate Sara. He then kills Sara's best friend Karen and a kind farmer who welcomed him into his home to use the telephone.

The actress playing Sara was successful in creating a complete transformation of her meek and mild character Sara to a liberated and enthusiastic "Julie" in the West Virginia scenes. But to the bitter end, the film was too unpleasant, especially with the final "meltdown" of Ryan in a tub of hot acid! Only the denouement offered an uplifting moment when Christine receives a letter indicating that her old friend Sara is alive and well in Turlan, West Virginia.

It matters little how the cast looked or how old they were ... the theme was right on ... not only do i deplore spousal abuse, stalking as well and this film had both ... this type of behavior cannot be condoned by anyone from the human race .. showing the effects is just the education idiots that chastise women deserve ... i vote for stringing them up by their pinkies and letting the judge wield the razor

Found movie to be riveting enough to follow through to conclusion. Topic is relevant & not surprising to see what a victim is forced to do to survive. Having attractive leading ladies doesn't hurt film either. Found supporting actors adequate for desired effect. Not having seen Sleeping with the Enemy, I found film worthy of a view.