When the Bough Breaks

When the Bough Breaks

Year: 2016

Runtime: 107 min

Language: English

Director: Jon Cassar

DramaMysteryThrillerHorror

As a young couple, John and Laura Taylor yearn for a child but face infertility challenges. They turn to surrogacy, entrusting Anna with the responsibility. However, as Anna's pregnancy advances, her fixation on John intensifies, plunging them into a deadly game of psychological manipulation.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – When the Bough Breaks (2016)
Explore the full timeline and setting of When the Bough Breaks (2016). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

The events occur in contemporary times, reflecting modern societal issues around family, surrogacy, and personal relationships. This time frame emphasizes the relevance of the struggles faced by the couple as they navigate their desires and conflicts.

Location

John and Laura's home

The movie primarily takes place in John and Laura's home, which serves as a safe haven and a backdrop for escalating tensions. The city environment adds to the stress of their busy lives, particularly John's demanding career as a lawyer. The workplace also plays a role in setting the tone for John's character and the challenges he faces.

🏠 Home 🏙️ City 💼 Workplace

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:57

Main Characters – When the Bough Breaks (2016)
Meet the key characters of When the Bough Breaks (2016), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

John Taylor (Morris Chestnut)

John is a dedicated lawyer whose life is consumed by his professional ambitions and a deep desire to become a father. As tensions rise, he finds himself caught between loyalties to his wife and an unsettling emotional connection with Anna, which tests his moral compass and resilience.

👔 Lawyer ❤️ Family man 💔 Torn

Laura (Regina Hall)

Laura is a supportive yet conflicted partner, striving to balance her career with her longing for motherhood. Her emotional journey unveils her vulnerabilities as she navigates the complexities of trusting Anna and confronting the evolving dynamics of her relationship with John.

💪 Strong 👩‍❤️‍👨 Partner 😢 Vulnerable

Anna Walsh (Jaz Sinclair)

Anna initially appears as a warm and nurturing figure eager to help John and Laura. However, her character evolves as her dark past surfaces, revealing a desperate need for validation that leads her into obsessive behavior, creating chaos in the lives of those around her.

🌟 Surrogate 💔 Obsessive 😞 Troubled

Mike Mitchell (Theo Rossi)

Mike represents a tumultuous influence in Anna's life, characterized by possessiveness and aggression. His attempts to regain control become a significant threat, ultimately spiraling the storyline into darker territory as confrontations arise between him and the Taylors.

🚨 Aggressive 💔 Troubled relationship ⚔️ Antagonist

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:57

Major Themes – When the Bough Breaks (2016)
Explore the central themes of When the Bough Breaks (2016), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👶 Family

The pursuit of starting a family drives the narrative, intertwining themes of hope, heartbreak, and the complexities of surrogacy. John and Laura's longing for a child becomes the catalyst for their choices, ultimately challenging their relationship and trust.

🔒 Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme as the characters face deceptive intentions and the fragility of their commitments. Anna's actions and manipulation lead to an unraveling of trust among the characters, questioning the integrity of relationships built on vulnerability.

⚠️ Danger

The film explores the theme of danger, illustrating how quickly a seemingly ideal situation can devolve into chaos. As Anna's attachment to John grows, it creates a perilious dynamic that puts everyone at risk, showcasing the unpredictable nature of human interactions.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 20:57

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