Dangerous Child

Dangerous Child

Year: 2001

Runtime: 91 mins

Language: English

Director: Graeme Campbell

TV MovieDrama

A divorced mother who has always shielded her son finds herself on the defensive when her teenage child turns hostile, subjecting her to verbal and physical abuse. Accused of neglect, she must now protect herself from the very boy she once guarded, navigating a bitter, twisted reversal of roles.

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Timeline & Setting – Dangerous Child (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dangerous Child (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Late 1990s

The events unfold in a contemporary setting, likely the late 1990s to early 2000s, when families seek help through shelters, therapy, and formal charges. The timeframe allows for school issues, after-hours behavior, and court-influenced decisions that shape the children's futures. It presents a modern backdrop in which social services and legal remedies are accessible to families in crisis.

Location

Home (Sally Cambridge's house), Local mall, Police station, Women's shelter, Brad's office

The story moves through a suburban home that becomes the center of escalating conflict, a bustling local mall where misbehavior spills into the public eye, and institutional spaces like the police station and shelter where consequences and support unfold. The family home is where love and fear collide, while the mall scenes expose Jack's rule-breaking to the outside world. The police station and Brad's office frame custody and accountability, and the women's shelter represents a potential lifeline through counseling and resources. Together, these places map the social network around Sally, Jack, and Leo as they seek safety and change.

🏠 Domestic setting 🛍 Mall environment 🚓 Police & legal process 🏥 Hospital & social services 👨‍👩‍👦 Family dynamics

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:34

Main Characters – Dangerous Child (2001)

Meet the key characters of Dangerous Child (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sally Cambridge (Delta Burke)

Sally is a divorced mother of two who tries to shield her sons from escalating conflict and abuse. She endures her ex-husband Brad's verbal abuse and struggles to enforce discipline without escalating tension. After a violent incident, she seeks help from a women's shelter and considers protective options, showing resilience and a willingness to change her life for her children's safety. Her journey highlights the limits of maternal courage without support and the importance of boundaries and resources.

🏠 Domestic resilience 💔 Abusive relationship 🧭 Boundaries & protection 👨‍👩‍👦 Family defense

Jack Cambridge (Ryan Merriman)

Jack is a 16-year-old with escalating anger that erupts in fights and reckless behavior, testing his relationship with his mother. He initially blames others and resists help, but the violent pattern is revealed as learned behavior rooted in his father’s anger. Through counseling and reflection, he begins to own his actions and considers a path toward accountability and healing. His arc highlights how adolescence can mirror parental conflict and the possibility of change.

💥 Anger issues 👨‍👦 Family conflict 🧠 Growth through therapy 🧭 Personal accountability

Leo Cambridge (Marc Donato)

Leo is Sally and Brad's 9-year-old son who witnesses the mounting conflict and bears the emotional cost of the family’s turmoil. He is sensitive and eager for safety and stability, often acting as a quiet barometer of the household's health. His presence underscores the impact of parental strife on younger children and anchors the viewer in the consequences of family violence.

💙 Innocence in danger 🧩 Family impact 🧭 Resilience

Brad Cambridge (Vyto Ruginis)

Brad is Sally's ex-husband, whose verbal abuse and anger contribute to the household's dysfunction. His attitude toward Sally and the children fuels conflict and custody disputes, illustrating how abusive behavior can shape family dynamics even after a separation. Over the course of the story, he is shown confronting his anger and recognizing the harm it causes, marking a potential (though incomplete) step toward personal change.

💢 Anger & abuse 🏛️ Court & custody 🧠 Growth through therapy 🗣️ Conflict in relationships

Luke (Dan Petronijevic)

Luke is Jack's friend whose involvement in shoplifting and late-night plans pushes Jack further toward trouble. He represents peer pressure and the external influences that can derail a teen's behavior, complicating Sally's efforts to keep her son on a lawful path. Luke's presence highlights how friendships can intensify family crises and test parental resolve.

🧭 Peer influence 🧩 Risky behavior 🗂 Consequences 🤝 Social pressure

Frank (Barclay Hope)

Frank is Sally's divorced date who initially disrupts the family’s routine but gradually serves as a stabilizing, supportive presence. His arrival introduces a potential new life for Sally and her sons, and he becomes part of the evolving dynamics that influence Sally's decisions. His role emphasizes the possibility of rebuilding a healthier family environment through positive relationships.

💑 New beginnings 🧭 Relationship dynamics 🛡️ Support & stability

Marcia (Deborah Odell)

Marcia is Brad's partner and a figure within the blended family dynamic who clashes with Leo and contributes to the tension in the home. Her presence foregrounds the complexities of stepfamily relationships and how new family units navigate power and affection. Her conflict with Leo underscores the additional strain placed on children during transitions.

🧩 Step-family dynamics 💬 Tension 🏛️ Domestic conflict

Guidance Counselor (Ari Cohen)

The Guidance Counselor at the women’s shelter provides professional advice and supports Sally in pursuing protective options. This character helps translate the crisis into concrete steps—such as therapy and legal actions—that aim to protect the children and stabilize the family. The counselor represents the essential role of social services in crisis situations.

🗣️ Counseling & support 🧭 Guidance 🫂 Shelter resources

Officer J. Valinsky (Elizabeth Saunders)

Officer Valinsky appears during confrontations and interactions with the family, illustrating the involvement of law enforcement in domestic crisis scenarios. Her presence signals the consequences of violence and the formal responses that can lead to accountability and safety for the children. She represents the legal side of resolving family conflict.

🚓 Law enforcement 🧭 Legal consequences 🛡️ Safety & accountability

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:34

Major Themes – Dangerous Child (2001)

Explore the central themes of Dangerous Child (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Domestic Violence

The film centers on how verbal abuse and controlling behavior shape family dynamics. Jack's aggression stems from learned patterns from his father, while Sally's attempts to protect her family are constrained by fear and limited resources. The story shows how cycles of violence threaten both the abused and the children, pushing them toward seeking help. Recovery requires accountability, support, and a willingness to change.

🤝 Family Intervention

The narrative emphasizes the role of counseling and legal steps in breaking cycles. Sally and Brad's custody struggle reveals the need for accountability and clearer communication. The group and individual therapy sessions expose the roots of anger and teach healthier ways to cope. The family learns to collaborate for the kids' safety and future.

🧠 Therapy & Healing

Therapy is portrayed as a turning point for both Jack and Sally, with group counseling helping Jack recognize his learned behavior and Sally confronting her own past. The film presents treatment commitments and parental cooperation as essential for recovery. It highlights the challenges and gradual progress in rebuilding trust and safety.

🏛️ Custody & Responsibility

The story explores how custody decisions reflect parental responsibility and the impact of anger on children. It shows how legal processes intersect with family dynamics, pushing for accountability and safer environments. The characters learn that structural support—from courts, counselors, and partners—matters in protecting the young in the household. A move toward shared responsibility emerges as the parents address their own issues.

Last Updated: October 03, 2025 at 14:34

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Dangerous Child Summary

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Dangerous Child Timeline

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Dangerous Child Timeline

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Dangerous Child Spoiler-Free Summary

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