🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Askin
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller, Horror
- Release year: 2014
- Runtime (length): 1h 42min
- IMDb rating: 5.3/10 (14k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 36%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A woman finds out her husband is a serial killer and decides to solve the problem with a quick home improvement project.
🍿 A Good Marriage: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Perfect Marriage
Darcy and Bob Anderson are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. They appear to have a loving and successful marriage with grown children, Petra and Donnie. Bob is a tax accountant, well-respected in his community. Darcy seems content as a homemaker. However, under the surface of this idyllic life, something sinister lurks.

Discovery
While Bob is away on a business trip, Darcy searches for batteries in the garage. She accidentally uncovers a hidden box containing driver’s licenses of women who have recently gone missing and been murdered. She realizes her husband is a serial killer dubbed “Beadie” by the media.

Confrontation and Aftermath
Darcy confronts Bob upon his return. He admits to being Beadie, claiming another person inside him commits the murders. He pleads with Darcy to keep his secret for the sake of their family and marriage. Darcy is forced to decide whether to turn him in, protect her family, or take matters into her own hands.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Darcy Anderson (Joan Allen): A wife who discovers her husband’s dark secret after 25 years of marriage and must decide how to handle it.
- Bob Anderson (Anthony LaPaglia): Darcy’s husband, who hides a sinister secret beneath his charming exterior.
- Holt Ramsey (Stephen Lang): An investigator obsessed with tracking down a serial killer, unknowingly circling closer to the Andersons.
- Betty Pike (Cara Buono): Darcy’s best friend, who is unaware of the darkness lurking within her friend’s marriage.
- Petra Anderson (Kristen Connolly): Darcy and Bob’s daughter, who is planning her wedding, oblivious to her father’s true nature.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Bob Anderson: “Oh Darcy come on. Honey, this is not some, some movie where the psycho husband chases the screaming wife around the house.” – Bob tries to downplay the situation after Darcy discovers his dark secret, attempting to normalize his actions.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $4 million
- Domestic Gross: $0.02 million
- Worldwide Gross: $0.17 million
💥 A Good Marriage Reviews
Personal Review
I watched this expecting a thrilling ride, but it felt more like a slow burn. Joan Allen was fantastic as Darcy, and I really felt her confusion and fear when she discovered Bob’s secret. The scene in the garage was so intense! I found myself constantly wondering what I would do in her situation. It’s not a perfect movie, but it definitely made me think.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Stephen King adaptations”
- “Viewers interested in psychological thrillers”
- “Those who enjoy films with moral dilemmas”
- “Fans of Joan Allen and Anthony LaPaglia”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence”
- “Disturbing themes of serial killing”
- “Mild language”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb: “Allen delivers a compelling performance as a wife grappling with a horrifying discovery. While the plot is straightforward, Allen’s portrayal of inner turmoil elevates the film. The pacing is slow, and the ending may not satisfy all viewers, but the film raises thought-provoking questions about trust and morality.
- Rotten Tomatoes: “This Stephen King adaptation has a solid cast with Allen and LaPaglia, but the story feels like a made-for-TV movie. Despite the intriguing premise, the film lacks suspense and the emotional depth needed to truly resonate. It’s watchable but not memorable.
Audience Reactions
Joan Allen’s performance was captivating and carried the entire movie.: Most viewers agreed that Joan Allen’s acting was the strongest aspect of the film.
The movie raised interesting questions about marriage and trust.: Many people found the moral dilemma presented by the story to be thought-provoking.
Overall Consensus: A Good Marriage has a compelling premise and a strong lead performance, but lacks suspense and depth. While some viewers found it thought-provoking, others found it slow and unmemorable.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The novella was based on the BTK serial killings (by Dennis Rader) that occurred in Kansas from 1974 to 1991.”
- “Stephen King himself wrote the screenplay for this adaptation of his novella.”
🖥️ How to Watch A Good Marriage?
Currently, ‘A Good Marriage’ can be streamed on platforms like Tubi for free with ads. It’s also available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms like Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Amazon Prime Video and Vudu. Check JustWatch to find all viewing options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed A Good Marriage, you might like these similar films:
- Sleeping with the Enemy (1991): Features a similar theme of a woman discovering a dark side to her seemingly perfect husband, forcing her to take drastic action.
- Mr. Brooks (2007): Explores the double life of a seemingly normal man who is secretly a serial killer.
🛒 A Good Marriage Related Products
- Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King: The collection of novellas that includes “A Good Marriage,” exploring dark themes and suspenseful storytelling. It is available on Amazon as a Kindle or Audiobook.
- Stephen King’s IT (4K UHD): Experience the ultimate horror of Pennywise the Dancing Clown in stunning 4K resolution.
- Stephen King’s A Good Marriage Movie Poster: A high-quality poster featuring the movie’s original artwork.
- Mr. Mercedes: A Novel (The Bill Hodges Trilogy): Experience the thrilling first book of the Bill Hodges Trilogy by Stephen King and available on Kindle or Audiobook.
🎧 Soundtrack
A Good Marriage features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Yes, ‘A Good Marriage’ is loosely inspired by the real-life BTK serial killer, Dennis Rader. Stephen King drew inspiration from the fact that Rader lived a double life, deceiving his family and community for years.
A Good Marriage’ is currently available to stream on Tubi for free with ads. It can also be rented or purchased on digital platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play and Vudu.
“Beadie” is the name the media gives to the serial killer in the film. It’s later revealed that Bob, Darcy’s husband, is the killer known as Beadie.
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