Sweet Evil (1996)

This movie is pretty much like any other thriller/drama...a pretty woman shows up and wreaks havoc on an unsuspecting family. However, this was a lot better than Poison Ivy or the Hand That Rocks the Cradle because the reason the main character (Bridgette Wilson) hates the family is rather compelling. It appears that the husband as a teenager was involved in a car accident that killed Bridgette's parents. After they were killed, she was forced to live with a family where her foster dad was a pervert and repeatedly raped the girl (When she was somewhere between 12 and 15) and impregnated her, then she miscarried. Her anger is directed not only at her foster dad (who she kills as a teen), but at the man she feels is responsible for placing her in that situation--the other driver. This twist is about the only good thing in this slow movie--instead of showing her wandering around acting psychotic, they should have done more with this.

Don't be fooled and don't waste your time. This movie was SOOO bad that I don't even want to waste time writing about it. This is only a warning to others not to see it unless you enjoy bad writing, blood and a full-on loony as the main character. Peter Boyle and Scott Cohen are too fine of actors to put their energies into such a pathetic film. What were they thinking?

After watching quite a few of these TMC late night movies, it dawned on me- a simple formula. Such a formula made famous by Poison Ivy (an actually good movie) and taken to the limits with different types of women, dysfunctional couples and the disappointments that can happen in life.The formula is as follows:1.) Start the movie off with one of the main characters (usually the beautiful "evil" girl) as a child. Show what horrible thing happened to them, therefore leading to their psychosis.2.) Show the unsuspecting souple (widower and daughter, divorcee and daughter, husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend) who somehow became entangled with the "evil" girl, and cant escape.3.) Introduce the "friend" of the family or couple (this can be a best friend, boss, maid, boyfriend) who suspects the bad girl all along. When they find out a little too much, have them killed. Have the bad girl "comfort" them.4.) Show how the bad girl seduces one half of the family or couple- all the while having something to hold over the other one's head. Have just one gratuitous sex scene.5.) Have a bloody conclusion, where the now happy couple move to the suburbs.I love Bridgette Wilson as an actress, and she did a good job with what she was given.

Ths movie is thrilling enough to keep you glued to your seat to its (predictable and disappointing) end. What makes it worth watching is a fine performance by Bridgette Wilson who has to lead an otherwise pretty mediocre cast. Peter Boyd and Seiko Matsuda at least manage to look desperate enough to give their characters some credibility. Direction and script are also not really inspired but provide the suspense necessary to keep you thrilled right to the end. Photography and music are above direct to video standard.