The Thriller genre has always fascinated fans. From Hitchcock to Grisham, there is nothing better than being on the edge of the seat. Latest movie from Johnson Production Group and Shadowland Films, Double Daddy, is another solid addition. Written by Alan Donahue (Her Infidelity 2015) and Barbara Kymlicka (Killer Bash 2005, Holiday Engagement 2011), and Directed by Lee Friedlander (The Ascent 2010, La Manna 2010), Double Daddy is set in modern day, and touches on a fear held by parents of teenagers; pregnancy. Released on June 6th, 2015 in the United States via Lifetime, Double Daddy focuses primarily on high school sweethearts Connor (Cameron Palatas: With You 2014, Pass the Light 2015), and Amanda (Mollee Gray: Suburgatory 2013, Austin & Ally 2014).
- Still from Double Daddy
Amanda and Connor have the world at their feet. They are both popular and about to begin their senior year before taking off for College. Amanda has been away working during the Summer, and prior to her return, Connor has a party at his place. Connor’s parents are well off, and Connor and Amanda enjoy every aspect of their young lives, but cannot wait to be together again. During the party held by Connor, he slips up, and is seduced by a woman named Heather (Brittany Curran: Twisted 2013-2014, Chicago Fire 2013-2014). A familiar story plot, not unlike films such as Swimfan (2002), but, Heather becomes pregnant thereafter further complicating the event.
Heather of course tells Connor she is pregnant, he can no longer deny they slept together, nor the consequences of same. After his parents become furious, they confirm they will support Connor and the baby. Almost immediately, it becomes clear that Heather is not your typical girl, and her motives are much more convoluted. In an even stranger twist of fate, Amanda also becomes pregnant. Apart from making Connor’s life hell, Heather’s pregnancy affects everyone in his life, including Amanda. The trio struggle to manage the love triangle, let alone high school, and impending parenthood.
- Still from Double Daddy
Heather soon manages to find a way to move in with Connor and his parents, Diane (Maeve Quinlan: The Bold and the Beautiful 1995-2006, 90210 2008-2011) and Jeff (Boyd Kestner: Black Hawk Down 2001, Hannibal 2001), and Amanda’s mother Trish (Rene Ashton: 40’s and Failing 2015, CSI: Cyber 2015), tries to be as supportive as possible. Life becomes incredibly complicated for them all, and Diane struggles with not only having Heather in her life, but not being able to make her go away. Tensions and frustration build all around, and what seemed like a bright future for both Connor and Amanda quickly drifts away. Yet, it only gets worse.
When things look like they are not going Heather’s way, all hell breaks loose and her true character reveals itself. Overwhelmed with all that has happened, and with both girls keeping the babies, Connor’s life looks set to be very difficult. As their respective due dates draw closer, Amanda and Heather find themselves locked in a deadly battle with Connor stuck firmly in the middle.
While Double Daddy has a relatively simple plot, it does deliver on both tension, pace, and intrigue. Donahue and Kymlicka have not only raised the stakes for the main characters, but blown them out of the ball park. They have further pushed the trio well beyond any comfort levels, and added the extra dimension of two pregnant girlfriends, one of whom is certifiably crazy.
- Still from Double Daddy
Amusing enough, Gray, Curren, and Palatas were all in their twenties while filming Double Daddy. There are definitely strong positive undertones for the use of contraception, and not letting one’s hormones get control of them. Double Daddy is well-acted by the young cast with a solid script, and realistic dialogue and physical reactions. Despite their misjudgments, it is difficult not to feel empathy for the characters. Told by a third person perspective, it is a somewhat predictable storyline, but it is well executed and managed. Minimal special effects are well handled and the cinematography by Damian Horan (CandyLand: A Web Series 2012-2013, World’s Most Expensive Homes 2013) is seamless. A must watch for Thriller fans, CrypticRock gives Double Daddy 4 out of 5 star.
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I am watching today on LMN Double Daddy. I did not finish it 3 years ago. I like it, but do not love it. I felt it was silly, how obtuse guys are, to be get’n chicks knocked up, prego, easy as it is to happen. easier to just use a condom. protection yourself, or “Smart Teen-Girls under 18, just say NO and I say wait, til you’re grown. Teen kids can barely raise one’s self. I loved my girl Quinlan in it, from my soap B&B Bold and the beautiful soap for years, she is great, playing realistically Connor well to do mom.” I give it a score out of 0 to five, a 2 and a 1/2, to three, life too short to not be smart.” I am happy to know, at least another LMN “OK” film based on actual events, true story.I prefer those.