On October 31, 2025, Dread (the horror label of Epic Pictures) dropped a decadent, velvety smooth confection, Dorothea, into the open Halloween treat bag for those who savor the bittersweet taste of diabolical machinations. A limited theatrical run, it also arrived on digital platforms like Amazon, Apple TV, & VOD on November 4th as a Psycho Thriller with sheer evil wearing an innocuous smile. In fact, dare we say that after watching Dorothea, you will think twice about trusting kindness from another human.
So, what makes this thriller movie stand out as the obsidian gleam of all dark lights? This fictional narrative was sculpted around the nefarious activities of Dorothea Puentes (played with wonderful conviction by Susan Priver), who made headlines across the country in the 1980s. Director Chad Ferrin (known for numerous other films like 2021’s Night Caller and 2022’s Pig Killer) skillfully recreates that darkness through a lens of enhanced magnification that zooms in on a fragile psyche and the jaw-dropping, spine-chilling monster that arises from a shattered, fragmented mind. Dorothea, spectacularly portrayed by Susan Priver, wears a mask befitting a grandmotherly figure that conceals a ruthless, manipulative nature. She becomes a walking billboard as the entrepreneurial Angel of Death.
Beyond this, Dorothea reels you in with the visual lure of a harrowing scene of domestic violence, which has a mind-bending assault on the senses. It serves as a potent reminder that some choices in life come with rather harsh consequences. As the movie unfurls and gathers momentum, the uplifting melodies that float upward as wisps of smoke stand in stark contrast to the diabolical deeds onscreen.
Altogether, ninety-one minutes slip by unnoticed as one grapples with the conflicting emotions of sympathy and revulsion. The knots of tension unwind as the inevitable ending comes barreling in. However, Dorothea has one more trick up her sleeve. This causes a tailspin and a realization that evil is never redeemable.
Also, a film with a cast of very recognizable faces, such as Ginger Lynn, Lew Temple, and Brinke Stevens, Dorothea is a not-to-be-missed movie for those who have an insatiable appetite for stories based on real-life crimes committed by serial killers. The question that looms large in the minds of these Thriller fans is what triggers one to step over that fine line from sanity to insanity. With the mask firmly in place, they seem normal at first glance, but you never know. Hey, that lady who smiled at you might just be a covert serial killer.
Hitting the nail on the head that things are not always what they seem, Cryptic Rock gives Dorothea 5 out of 5 stars.
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