When the Bough Breaks Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A couple hires a surrogate who’s just a *tad* too into the husband, leading to some seriously awkward family dinners and a very aggressive game of hide-and-seek.

🍿 When the Bough Breaks: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Couple’s Desperate Wish

John and Laura Taylor, a successful professional couple, desperately desire to have a child but are unable to conceive after multiple miscarriages. Exhausting all other options, they decide to pursue surrogacy, placing their hopes on finding the right candidate to carry their last viable embryo. This sets the stage for a high-stakes emotional journey, highlighting the couple’s vulnerability and determination to build a family.

Enter Anna: The Surrogate

Anna Walsh, a young woman with a troubled past, enters the Taylors’ lives as their surrogate. Initially, Anna seems like the perfect fit – kind, compassionate, and seemingly stable. However, her charming facade hides a darker side. Unbeknownst to John and Laura, Anna is entangled in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Mike, adding another layer of complexity to her already complicated life. As Anna’s pregnancy progresses, her connection with the Taylors deepens, blurring professional lines and setting off warning signs.

Obsession and Deceit

As Anna becomes more enmeshed in the Taylors’ lives, her behavior takes a disturbing turn. She develops a dangerous obsession with John, making increasingly aggressive advances and attempting to seduce him. Her actions disrupt the Taylors’ marriage and jeopardize John’s career, as Anna’s erratic behavior spills over into his professional life. Meanwhile, Anna’s abusive boyfriend, Mike, continues to exert control over her, further complicating the situation and escalating the tension.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• John Taylor (Morris Chestnut): A successful lawyer desperate to have a child, leading him to make questionable decisions regarding their surrogate.
• Laura Taylor (Regina Hall): A driven chef and John’s wife, she is willing to go to extreme lengths to fulfill her dream of motherhood.
• Anna Walsh (Jaz Sinclair): The young surrogate who becomes dangerously obsessed with the husband, leading to a series of violent events.
• Mike Mitchell (Theo Rossi): Anna’s abusive boyfriend who initially schemes to exploit the Taylors’ situation.
• Roland White (Michael Kenneth Williams): John’s private investigator friend who helps uncover the dark secrets of Anna’s past.
• Todd Decker (Romany Malco): John’s professional rival whose character is related to external plot development.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Mike Mitchell: “Did you know that you have their only embryo?” – Mike tries to manipulate Anna into understanding that she holds all the power.
• Mike Mitchell: “I’m the brains on this. You’re just the uterus.” – Mike cruelly reduces Anna to her reproductive function, highlighting his manipulative nature.
• Anna Walsh: “It’s a baby now.” – Anna expresses her changing feelings about the baby she’s carrying.
• Laura: “I’m so sick of this bitch!” – Laura, enraged by Anna’s actions, decides to take drastic action.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $29,747,603
• Worldwide Gross: $30,658,387

💥 When the Bough Breaks Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a typical Lifetime-movie-esque thriller. And, well, I got that. Regina Hall and Morris Chestnut do what they can, but the plot is just…out there. That whole ‘Anna sends John videos’ scene? So awkward! I found myself laughing more than being scared. Honestly, I was waiting for Regina Hall to break out into her ‘Scary Movie’ persona because the over the top drama reminded me of that type of comedy.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of psychological thrillers.”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about surrogacy and family dynamics.”
  • “Those who enjoy suspenseful movies with a focus on obsession.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Disturbing images”
  • “Abuse”
  • “Brief nudity”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “This thriller follows the well-worn path of obsessive stalker movies, delivering few surprises and even fewer genuine thrills. While the cast does their best, the predictable plot and lack of originality make it hard to recommend.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Despite the best efforts of Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall, ‘When the Bough Breaks’ struggles to break free from its genre clichés, offering a predictable and uninspired take on the psycho-thriller formula. It has some good moments but is mediocre overall.
• RogerEbert.com: “A dull and predictable thriller that wastes the talents of its cast. Its failure to generate tension or provide any new perspective on the genre makes it a forgettable experience.

Audience Reactions

Some viewers found the movie entertaining despite its predictability, enjoying the performances of the lead actors.: While many found the plot predictable, some viewers appreciated the performances and suspenseful moments.

The film’s over-the-top drama and questionable plot twists provided unintentional comedic relief for some viewers.: Many felt the movie was reminiscent of a Lifetime movie, with all the associated tropes and melodrama.

Overall Consensus: Overall, ‘When the Bough Breaks’ is a predictable and uninspired thriller that fails to deliver genuine scares or originality. While the cast is talented, the weak plot and over-the-top drama make it a forgettable experience.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film’s title is derived from the nursery rhyme ‘Rock-a-bye Baby,’ which hints at the instability and danger within the story.”
• “Although set in New Orleans, Louisiana, the movie aims to create a sense of unease and psychological tension, moving beyond the typical thriller tropes.”
• “Regina Hall, Romany Malco, and Morris Chestnut had previously worked together in the movie ‘Think Like a Man,’ bringing an existing chemistry to the set.”

🖥️ How to Watch When the Bough Breaks?

When the Bough Breaks is available to rent or purchase on various platforms. You can find it on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. Physical copies (DVD/Blu-ray) are also available for purchase from major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed When the Bough Breaks, you might like these similar films:

• Fatal Attraction (1987): Classic thriller about a married man whose brief affair turns into a terrifying obsession.
• Obsessed (2009): A woman develops a dangerous infatuation with her colleague, threatening his marriage and career.
• The Hand That Rocks the Cradle (1992): A seemingly perfect nanny harbors a dark secret and seeks revenge on the family she works for.
• Unforgettable (2017): A divorced woman becomes obsessed with her ex-husband’s new fiancée, leading to dangerous consequences.

🛒 When the Bough Breaks Related Products

• When the Bough Breaks (DVD): Own the film on DVD and add it to your collection. Great for fans of Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall and for those who like to compare different movies of the same genres.
• Official Movie Poster – When the Bough Breaks: A high-quality print poster featuring the original artwork. A simple, direct design that highlights the stars of the film and showcases the essence of what’s happening.
• Pregnancy Journal: A Keepsake for The Expectant Mother: Document your pregnancy journey. Keep memories of a very special event. It is also a great gift to the expectant mother or for those who want to document their pregnancy.
• Regina Hall Autographed Photo: A professionally printed photo signed by Regina Hall. Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. A must-have for collectors of her work.

🎧 Soundtrack

When the Bough Breaks features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Real Love” – performed by Sunsun

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

When the Bough Breaks – Movie Review

Curious what the critics thought? Chris Stuckmann breaks down ‘When the Bough Breaks’ in this concise review. His points are pretty spot-on, give it a watch and see if you agree!

Morris Chestnut & Regina Hall Share The True Story Behind ‘When The Bough Breaks’

Want to know the real story behind ‘When the Bough Breaks’? Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall spill the beans in this fun interview. You might even find out about their hidden talents!

‘Sully’ And ‘When the Bough Breaks’ | On Cinema Season 8, Ep. 8 | Adult Swim

Need a good laugh? ‘On Cinema’ hilariously reviews ‘When the Bough Breaks’ alongside ‘Sully’. Prepare for some unconventional opinions and a whole lot of popcorn bags!

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