MOVIES: The Girl in the Bathtub - Advance Preview

If there is one thing you can count on every week, it's Lifetime airing movies on the weekends. A majority of the time, it's a new movie too. Personally, it's something I look forward to. I love curling up under a blanket with snacks and unwinding to whatever crazy story they're tackling this time around.

I thought it would be fun to create a new semi-regular feature here at SpoilerTV where I get to preview upcoming Lifetime films for anyone else whose a fan!

SNEAK PEEK

This week's feature, aptly titled, The Girl in the Bathtub, is about... a girl they find dead in a bathtub. It boasts the "based on a true story" namesake that so many Lifetime films do.

It's about the very real paralegal, Julia Law, who  died under mysterious circumstances on her 27th birthday. She was discovered in Chuck Peruto's bathtub.

Peruto is a successful criminal defense attorney. I think he is actually still in practice today (and is currently embroiled in another high-publicity story involving Meek Mill, but that's a story for another film).

We quickly find out that Julia Law (played by the incredible Caitlin Stasey who was one of my main reasons for watching this and who I have been a fan of since her days on Reign), is not nearly as beatific as she seems in the opening scenes.

It wouldn't be Lifetime if the heroine didn't have some skeletons in her closet and The Girl in the Bathtub is no different.

We find out quickly about Law and Peruto's romantic affair but what's even more shocking is that Peruto is only one Julia's three lovers.

So, which of these men, (if any - as there are several other possible suspects) killed Julia and left her body in a bathtub? You'll just have to tune in to find out how this story unfolds.

I had a great time coming up with my own theories while watching this movie. Every time one person seemed the most obvious, the film would take a sharp turn into new terrain often leaving me shocked.

FINAL VERDICT

Check it out if you get the chance, especially if you're looking for a way to spend a Sunday night in. You might find yourself as pleasantly surprised, and entertained, as I did.

I was never bored and felt captivated enough to see it through to the end. The Girl in the Bathtub started out as a thriller and slowly morphed into a tightly woven, intricate character study about a desperately lonely young woman struggling with her demons.

The introspective, interview/confessionals of all the suspects helped shed more light on who Julia Law was beneath the surface. This is Julia's story through and through.

As Julia says, we, as the audience, "try to unravel the mystery of me." It speaks to our obsession with conspiracy theories and open murder investigations. I thought about the Jonbenet Ramsey case and how rabidly we consume true crime stories.

What is it that we all find so intriguing about murder and mysterious deaths?

That is a question this movie dances around, sometimes in meta commentary by Julia herself who narrates her own life story leading up to her death.

HIGHLIGHTS

- Caitlin Stasey is fantastic as the tortured and deeply conflicted Julia Law. I've always thought Stasey was an admirable actress and she continues to prove herself in the roles she chooses to tackle.

- The chemistry between Stasey and every actor she shares the screen with is a treat. It makes it all the more difficult to pinpoint who could have violent intentions when there's such a strong spark. Plus it gives the film a sexy, playful edge amidst the more dramatic scenes.

- Jason Patric (The Lost Boys) has a boyish charm that is undeniably hard to resist. His turn as Chuck Peruto is nuanced and exciting. He is easily able to alternate between a playful, gentle boyfriend role but with something darker brewing just beneath the surface.

THE GIRL IN THE BATHTUB AIRS SUNDAY, OCT. 7TH @ 8:00 PM ET/PT ON LIFETIME!