Jackson and Helen are in love and about to have their first child when they move in with Jackson's mother, Martha, in order to take care of the family estate. But all is not well in this household. Martha is jealous of her son's affection for Helen, and, despite her Southern smile, she's starting to act strangely. As Helen tries to create a happy home life, Martha attempts to divide the family so that Jackson will become hers alone.
Directed by Jonathan Darby
farm
horse
fall
borderline personality disorder
domineering mother
Rank
#113 in 1998·#7451 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
2.7 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Jessica Lange
Martha Baring
Gwyneth Paltrow
Helen Baring
Johnathon Schaech
Jackson Baring
Nina Foch
Alice Baring
Debi Mazar
Lisa
Kaiulani Lee
Sister O'Shaughnessy
David Thornton
Gavin
Hal Holbrook
Dr. Franklin Hill
Richard Lineback
Hal Bentall
Joe Inscoe
Doctor
Diandra Newlin
ER Patient
Crew
Christopher Young
Original Music Composer
Lynzee Klingman
Editor
Andrew Dunn
Director of Photography
Douglas Wick
Producer
John Branagan
Stunts
David Barrett
Stunts
Heidi Levitt
Casting
Ann Roth
Costume Design
Popular Reviews
105 reviews
Hugo Doran
6.0★ · 03/26/26
Stunning performance from Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange, great potential, all just falls a bit flat in the end. Feels like an ending where the production company told the writer to change it.
Stunning performance from Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange, great potential, all just falls a bit flat in the end. Feels like an ending where the production company told the writer to change it.
mena
4.0★ · 03/20/26
qué pesadilla una boy mom
qué pesadilla una boy mom
Jai
6.0★ · 03/12/26
Jessica Lange walked as Martha so she could run as Constance Langdon
Jessica Lange walked as Martha so she could run as Constance Langdon
Lexi
8.0★ · 03/06/26
at least the man listens to his wife for once
at least the man listens to his wife for once
Madi Lobo
3.0★ · 02/22/26
All that build up for what? Who's saying Martha won’t send another person after them like she did at the beginning and Helen never telling Jackson that she found her locket… the one that was literally stolen off of her when she was stabbed?!??? I loved Jessica Langes performance I just felt like all that crazy b*tch energy to not actually have a very climactic ending was kind of wasted potential.
All that build up for what? Who's saying Martha won’t send another person after them like she did at the beginning and Helen never telling Jackson that she found her locket… the one that was literally stolen off of her when she was stabbed?!??? I loved Jessica Langes performance I just felt like all that crazy b*tch energy to not actually have a very climactic ending was kind of wasted potential.
