by I’ve long been of the opinion that really good horror flicks (you can throw thriller and suspense flicks into that group) need to be rated R. This isn’t because I’m a gore hound. In fact far from it. I’m generally NOT really into blood and gore just for the sake of it. The reason I’ve said that is because there are so few films that can really get your blood pumping without “going there”. There have been a few films recently that have started to change my mind about this trend (see my review of The Boy for a good example) and I think this one may be another. I know you can’t put a bunch of stock in a trailer along but it looks amazing (below) and the story, while it’s been done before, looks like a fresh take. Totally looking forward to this one.
When The Bough Breaks In Theaters September 9th, 2016
It’s common wisdom that devoted parents will do anything to protect their child. But what if the biggest threat to a family comes before the baby is even born?
In the nail-biting thriller, When the Bough Breaks, wannabe parents John and Laura Taylor (Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall) find out how a lullaby life can quickly become a waking nightmare. Young, professional, and successful, the Taylors desperately want a baby to make their picture perfect family complete. After exhausting all other options, the ideal woman walks into their life: Anna (Jaz Sinclair). She’s undeniably beautiful, friendly, and ready to be the Taylors’ surrogate. They immediately hire her, and take her under their wing.
There’s something else growing inside Anna besides a baby, however.
As Anna gets further along in the pregnancy, the trust between her and the Taylors starts to crack. She develops a dangerous fixation on John that grows increasingly psychotic, and he begins to learn that she’s not who she says she is. A deadly game has been set in motion, and it will take everything the Taylors have to fight for control of their future before it’s too late.
When the Bough Breaks stars Morris Chestnut (“Rosewood”; The Perfect Guy), Regina Hall (Think Like a Man, Scary Movie), Romany Malco (Think Like a Man), Michael K. Williams (“The Wire”), with Theo Rossi (“Sons of Anarchy”), and newcomer Jaz Sinclair (Paper Towns).
When the Bough Breaks is produced by Bob Shaye and Michael Lynne, written by Jack Olsen, and executive produced by Morris Chestnut, Dylan Sellers, and Glenn S. Gainor. Valerie Bleth Sharp co-produces with Brian Dukes as associate producer. Director Jon Cassar recruited a seasoned technical team behind the camera that included Emmy® nominated director of photography David Moxness, ASC, CSC (“The Kennedys”), production designer Chris Cornwell (Ride Along, The Wedding Ringer), editor Scott Powell, ACE (“24”), costume designer Olivia Miles (“Entourage,” Ride Along 2), visual effects producer Raoul Yorke Bolognini (Spider-Man 2, Zombieland), visual effects supervisor Eric Geisler (The Day the Earth Stood Still), casting by Twinkie Bird, and music by John Frizzell.
When the Bough Breaks is a Screen Gems’ release through Sony Pictures Entertainment. The Unique Features production filmed in a variety of locations in-and around New Orleans, Louisiana including an historic St. Charles home, the New Orleans Aquarium, a bayou lake house, and the historic Falstaff Building among others over a seven-week period.
The film has a running time of 1 hour and 46 minutes.
This film has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for the following reasons: violence, sexuality/partial nudity, thematic elements, some disturbing images, and language.
When the Bough Breaks Synopsis
John and Laura Taylor (Morris Chestnut and Regina Hall) are a young, professional couple who desperately want a baby. After exhausting all other options, they finally hire Anna (Jaz Sinclair), the perfect woman to be their surrogate – but as she gets further along in her pregnancy, so too does her psychotic and dangerous fixation on the husband. The couple becomes caught up in Anna’s deadly game and must fight to regain control of their future before it’s too late.
