Flowers in the Attic Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Mom hides kids in the attic so she can get rich; the kids get hangry and decide to redecorate her face.

🍿 Flowers in the Attic: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Dollanganger Family’s Secret

Following the tragic death of their father, Cathy, Chris, Carrie, and Cory Dollanganger are forced to move in with their estranged, wealthy grandmother, Olivia Foxworth, at Foxworth Hall. Their mother, Corinne, hopes to secure her inheritance after being disinherited years prior for marrying Christopher, her half-uncle.

Life Locked Away in the Attic

The children are confined to a single room in the attic, promised that their stay is temporary until Corinne can win back her mother’s favor. Olivia is cruel and unforgiving, and the children are subjected to harsh treatment and religious extremism. As weeks turn into months, the children begin to realize the severity of their situation.

Desperation and Deceit

As time passes, the children’s health deteriorates, especially that of young Cory. Cathy and Chris begin to suspect their mother’s motives, realizing that she is more interested in regaining her inheritance than in their well-being. They discover that Corinne is being slowly poisoned by Olivia and that Cory is terminally ill.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Cathy Dollanganger (Kristy Swanson): The eldest Dollanganger child, she yearns for freedom and becomes increasingly protective of her siblings while enduring abuse in the attic.
• Christopher Dollanganger Jr. (Jeb Stuart Adams): The intelligent and supportive older brother, he attempts to maintain hope and protect his siblings during their imprisonment.
• Corinne Dollanganger Winslow (Victoria Tennant): The mother who imprisons her children in the attic in order to inherit her father’s fortune, gradually becoming consumed by greed and cruelty.
• Olivia Foxworth (Louise Fletcher): The cruel and religious grandmother who enforces the children’s confinement and inflicts emotional and physical abuse upon them.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Corinne Dollanganger: “I did it for you, my darlings, my children. For us!” – Corinne says this to her children to justify her actions of keeping them hidden in the attic for the inheritance.
• Cathy Dollanganger: “We’re not prisoners here; we’re family.” – Cathy tries to reassure her siblings that their mother still cares for them, despite their confinement.
• Grandmother Olivia Foxworth: “Sin is a terrible thing, child.” – The grandmother frequently says this to the children, emphasizing her rigid and harsh treatment.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5.8 million
• Domestic Gross: $15.6 million
• Worldwide Gross: $15.6 million

💥 Flowers in the Attic Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching this as a teen and feeling genuinely creeped out. The whole idea of being trapped and forgotten by your own mother was horrifying. While I know the movie took some liberties with the book, the attic scenes are still pretty unsettling. The ending definitely left me wanting more, but overall it’s a memorable, if flawed, thriller. I think I mostly liked it because of the cast.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of gothic horror”
  • “Readers of V.C. Andrews novels”
  • “Viewers interested in dysfunctional family dramas”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Child abuse”
  • “Incestuous themes”
  • “Poisoning”
  • “Religious extremism”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “Despite production issues, Louise Fletcher as the grandmother brings a menacing presence. The gothic atmosphere captures the unsettling mood of the novel. However, the toned-down script and rushed ending leave the audience wanting more depth and darker themes.
• IMDb: “This adaptation fails to capture the book’s essence. Kristy Swanson’s performance feels forced and lacks depth. The story’s controversies (incest and abuse) watered down, resulting in a bland and unfulfilling experience. Fans of the book will likely be disappointed.
• IMDb: “An effective Gothic horror movie, chilling and depressing, especially because of Louise Fletcher as the evil grandmother. The film doesn’t go into as much depth as the book, but a mini-series would be required. I would recommend it if you like Gothic style horror.

Audience Reactions

The claustrophobic atmosphere and Louise Fletcher’s portrayal of the grandmother were particularly praised.: Viewers who hadn’t read the book found it to be an engaging thriller, while fans of the book were disappointed by changes.

The movie created some chilling moments for some viewers, making it an unforgettable experience: The story had potential for a thrilling mystery.

Overall Consensus: A flawed adaptation that doesn’t fully capture the darkness of the source material, but is still a watchable thriller with a strong performance from Louise Fletcher.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The novel ‘Flowers in the Attic’ by V.C. Andrews was extremely popular, leading to high expectations for the film adaptation, but it received mixed reviews.”
• “Several scenes from the book were omitted or altered in the film, which disappointed some fans of the novel.”
• “The film explores themes of incest and child abuse, which were controversial topics for a mainstream movie at the time.”

🖥️ How to Watch Flowers in the Attic?

Flowers in the Attic (1987) is currently available for streaming rental or purchase on Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Flowers in the Attic, you might like these similar films:

• Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962): Explores dysfunctional family dynamics and psychological horror with isolated characters.
• The Secret Garden (1993): Features children in isolation discovering secrets within a large, mysterious estate, although with a more hopeful tone.
• Sharp Objects (2018): Deals with dark family secrets, dysfunctional relationships, and psychological trauma, similar to the unsettling atmosphere of ‘Flowers in the Attic’.

🛒 Flowers in the Attic Related Products

• Flowers in the Attic: The Complete Series (DVD): A complete DVD series that is based off of the book series by V. C. Andrews. Relive the chilling classic gothic horror series.
• Flowers in the Attic (V.C. Andrews Series): The original novel that started it all. Experience the story that captivated millions and spawned a cultural phenomenon. A chilling tale of family secrets, betrayal, and survival.
• Flowers in the Attic Book Series Collection: Relive the chilling tale of the Dollanganger family with the whole collection by V. C. Andrews. Read about the sinister twists and turns of the Dollanganger family.
• Flowers in the Attic Movie Poster: A reproduction movie poster with art. Measures 27 x 40 and depicts Kristy Swanson.

🎧 Soundtrack

Flowers in the Attic features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Flowers in the Attic Main Theme” – performed by Christopher Young
• “Starvation” – performed by Christopher Young

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Flowers in the Attic – ‘Discipline’ Scene

This scene is BRUTAL! Watch how the grandmother enforces her twisted rules. It really sets the stage for the horror the kids endure in the attic.

Flowers in the Attic – “Eat the cookie!” Scene

Ever wondered how far the grandmother’s cruelty went? This “Eat the cookie!” scene is a must-see. Seriously, this scene messed me up a little.

✨ Rate