Jill Harris and her husband Rob Schultz, a dedicated minister, decide to adopt two children, Catherine and Eric, in hopes of giving them a fresh start. Eric, portrayed as a gentle and shy boy, quickly adapts to his new home, displaying a sweet and timid nature. However, Catherine, who initially appears similar, soon begins to exhibit alarming and unpredictable behaviors, characterized by sudden outbursts of violent rage that seem to have no clear cause. At first, some of her violent episodes, like minor outbursts, go unnoticed, but things take a darker turn when she cruelly stabs the family dog with a needle, forcing Jill and Rob to realize that there is a serious issue at hand.
Concerned and seeking answers, the couple turns to Doris, their children's caseworker, hoping she can shed light on Catherine's troubling past. However, Doris, citing confidentiality laws, is initially reluctant to provide details. The situation escalates further when Catherine, in a disturbed state, attempts to seduce her adoptive grandfather, prompting Jill and Rob to seek professional help by taking her to a psychologist. Despite her composed exterior and convincing demeanor, Catherine manages to fool the therapist, creating the impression that everything is perfectly fine. Unsettlingly, later, Jill notices bruises on Eric, who confesses that Catherine was the one responsible for inflicting them, leading to a violent incident where Catherine slams Eric’s head onto the basement floor, landing him in emergency care.
Soon, Doris reveals previously hidden truths about the children’s past. She admits she rescued them from an abusive home after receiving a distressing phone call. When they were found, Eric was in terrible condition, but Catherine’s injuries were even more severe. Their mother was hospitalized with pneumonia, and their father was nowhere to be found, reportedly off drunk. The shocking depth of the abuse becomes clearer when Doris discloses that Catherine has an older sister named Stephanie, whom she tracked down at a topless bar. Stephanie, a woman hardened by her past, shares her story of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of their father. When she fought back, her father shifted his focus onto Catherine, who was just a baby, explaining her violent tendencies and deep-seated rage.
As more troubling incidents occur, such as Catherine cutting a classmate with glass, Doris reveals her ongoing struggles to find a solution and gives Jill and Rob a book titled Kids Who Kill, which she feels perfectly describes Catherine. Recognizing her extreme behavior, Doris suggests a controversial therapy called holding therapy, developed by Dr. Rosemary Myers, which aims to address attachment disorders by physically holding the child while provoking their rage to unlock underlying pain.
Dr. Myers, portrayed as a compassionate but firm expert, begins examining Catherine. Initially, Catherine puts up a facade during the therapy sessions, but her true nature is exposed when Dr. Myers employs reverse psychology, causing her to admit to her violent acts. Dr. Myers explains that Catherine’s issues stem from a lack of bonding and her attachment disorder, which has caused her profound emotional trauma. The first holding therapy session involves Jill, Rob, and Dr. Myers physically holding Catherine while intentionally provoking her rage, with the intention of helping her confront her pain. Although the session starts promisingly, Jill feels it is pushing too far. Nevertheless, Dr. Myers reassures them that they need to trust her expertise. The session culminates with an emotionally powerful moment: Catherine, overwhelmed by her emotions, admits her desire to reenact her past violence, revealing the intense pain lurking beneath her rage.
Although this therapy is theoretically meant to span over six weeks, the couple recognizes they cannot wait and must continue at home, where they hope to help Catherine recover. Before returning home, a tense incident occurs when another disturbed child named Justin starts a fire at the hotel, causing chaos. Left alone, Catherine becomes increasingly distressed and, in a moment of rage, attempts to stab Rob but is stopped just in time. Once back in their home, Jill and Rob discuss the idea of spending individual time with each parent, hoping that this might foster better bonding and help integrate Catherine’s healing process.
In a significant breakthrough during another holding therapy session, Catherine begins to cry, a raw moment that prompts tears from Jill as well. She seeks comfort from her parents, finally expressing her love for them. The scene closes on a poignant, emotional embrace among the three, symbolizing hope for her recovery and the possibility of a better future.
This story is a powerful exploration of trauma, healing, and the complex process of confronting deep-seated pain, emphasizing that with patience and understanding, even the most damaged children can find a way to heal and love again.
