Watch Murder In-Law

Murder In-Law is a suspenseful thriller that was released in 2019, marking the directorial debut of Drew Mylrea. The movie follows two newlyweds, Lauren (Kristen Dalton) and Ryan (Mark Collier), who have just returned from their honeymoon and are beginning their life together. What should be a joyous time for the couple quickly turns into a nightmare when Lauren's mother-in-law, Carol (Angie DeGrazia), moves in with them.

As Carol begins to insinuate herself into every aspect of their lives, including redecorating their new home and trying to control their relationship, Lauren becomes increasingly suspicious of her mother-in-law's true motives. When mysterious accidents start happening around the house, Lauren becomes convinced that Carol is trying to kill her in order to take her place as Ryan's wife and mother of his future children.

As the tension between the two women builds, Ryan struggles to see the danger that Lauren is in and tries to maintain his relationship with both women. The movie keeps the audience on edge, with a series of twists and turns that will keep them guessing until the final moments.

One of the strengths of the film is the excellent performance by Dalton, who brings a sense of authenticity to her character's fear and paranoia. Her portrayal of Lauren's growing sense of dread is palpable, making it easy for the audience to root for her as she tries to uncover the truth about her mother-in-law's intentions.

DeGrazia also delivers a solid performance as Carol, deftly portraying the character's split personalities. On the surface, Carol appears to be a kind and loving mother-in-law, but as the movie progresses, her true intentions become more and more sinister. DeGrazia's performance makes it clear that Carol is a manipulative woman who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.

The direction by Mylrea is also worth noting. As a first-time director, he shows a real talent for building tension and maintaining the pace of the film. The movie is never slow or plodding, with each scene building on the last to create a sense of unease and suspense. The use of shadow and darkness is cleverly employed throughout the movie, adding an extra layer of creepiness to the proceedings.

The movie's script, written by Andrea Canning, is effective at delivering the right amount of intrigue and mystery. The pacing is excellent, with tension rising steadily until the final reveal. The dialogue is believable and natural, without any unnecessary filler. Canning's script is an example of how a solid story can make all the difference in a movie, especially one with a small cast and sparse setting.

The cinematography, by Bill Otto, adds an atmospheric quality to the film, with striking shots that help to build the tension. The use of close-ups and framing is particularly effective in conveying the characters' emotions and the sense of claustrophobia that Lauren feels as Carol takes over her life.

In terms of flaws, Murder In-Law suffers from a few clichés, such as the overbearing mother-in-law and the newlyweds struggling to adjust to married life. The movie also leans too heavily on one twist that may be obvious to some viewers, although this doesn't detract too much from the overall experience.

Overall, Murder In-Law is a well-crafted thriller that keeps the audience engaged from start to finish. Fans of the genre will appreciate the film's solid cast, excellent direction, and taut script. Although not groundbreaking, the movie is a fine example of how a suspenseful story can be told on a small scale, without relying on special effects or high action.

Murder In-Law is a 2019 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 27 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.