Cradle of Deception (2024 Lifetime)
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Cast: Holly Deveaux, Jason Cermak, and Matthew James Dowden
Director: Soran Mardookhi
Writer(s): Hannah Robinson
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
Inspired by true events. When her baby is diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder, a widowed first-time mom races against time to find a donor, only to uncover a labyrinth of deceit that leads her back to the fertility clinic where her son was conceived. Starring Holly Deveaux, Matthew Dowden, and Jason Cermak (2024).
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Inspired by True Events
Erin Treadwell is drowning in paperwork and client complaints at her job. She is also VERY pregnant. Her boss doesn’t seem to care at all.
Erin gets a sonogram at the doctor’s office and thanks Dr. Jackson for everything. It was a complicated pregnancy because Erin had to use her husband’s sperm through IVF. The only problem is her husband is dead, but at least he had the foresight to use a sperm bank.
The baby comes quickly, and Erin is worried about raising it alone. Her mother and best friend, Diana, help with the baby while Erin immediately returns to work. Her boss tells her to get her life together because she is the “face” of the company. (AKA a receptionist.)
Erin has new mother worries, which are exacerbated by the baby getting a fever and being diagnosed with a rare genetic disorder called SCID. Erin and her mother are confused because they do not have that disease in the family. Matthew, the dead husband, was adopted. The baby will need a bone marrow donor, and his family members get tested to see if they are a match.
Diana invites Erin over for wine and venting. She suggests putting an ad in the paper. (COME ON DIANA! IT IS 2024!) Diana’s husband, Dr. Jackson, joins them and gives some medical advice. (He was the doctor from the beginning of the movie.)
Damn it if Diana’s stupid newspaper idea works and a handsome journalist named Charlie Allen picks up the story. He found another family that went through a similar situation a year ago. They also used the same doctor, Dr. Jackson. When they sit down to talk to the mother, she explains that the DNA doesn’t add up with her child either. The story comes out, and it is more salacious than Erin expects.
Erin worries about a mix-up with the samples and rushes to Dr. Jackson’s office. A doctor’s representative reassures her that they are doing everything to help find a donor and that a sperm mix is not possible. Later, they sue Erin for defamation.
Dr. Jackson suspends his receptionist, Fred. Erin walks in on their conversation and demands to know what is going on. Dr. Jackson is understanding and gives Erin a DNA test to help ease her mind. He also confirms he is looking for a match.
Another couple talks to Chris and Erin about their daughter having green eyes. Their child could be a potential match. They also tell them about a guy who was investigating IVF.
In the middle of the night, Erin’s home is robbed. Then CPS shows up to do a home inspection and finds an unsecured prescription for Oxycodone. (This girl cannot catch a break!)
Erin gets the DNA results back, and she is pleased. (It is just a pie chart with nationalities on it, hahaha. Chris tells Erin to get a second opinion since the test is from the fertility clinic.
The receptionist, Fred, from the clinic is unceremoniously murdered?!?!
At work, Erin is late and takes a personal call. Her boss, who hates Erin, fires her in front of everyone, saying, “This is a business, not a charity.” Upon hearing the news, Dr. Jackson gives Erin the recently opened receptionist position.
They find a match for the baby after the couple reconsiders getting their green-eyed kid.
Dr. Jackson is very insistent that Erin sign an NDA before she start working for him. As she sets up her new desk, she finds a flash drive taped to the bottom of a desk drawer.
Diana has lunch with Erin, and she tells her that they are suddenly moving to open another clinic in another town. They have moved five times since they have been married. When Erin shares the information she found out about the baby and suspects sample tampering, Diana gets upset and storms off.
Erin meets up with Chris and shows him the flash drive. There are files on Erin and the other parents, who have half-Dutch/German ancestry.
Dr. Jackson calls Erin into his office and tells her that Fred is the father of her baby and has the rare genetic disease. Fred overdosed on pills and was actually a sperm donor. Erin looks up his sample number and it is still intact. SHE STEALS ONE IN HER PURSE!?!?!?!
Fred’s DNA is 85% ITALIAN! He couldn’t be the baby daddy!!!!!
Erin meets with Dr. Jackson to discuss a settlement for the IVF error; she will be signing away her right to sue and another NDA agreement. Erin confronts the doctor about a lie he made about helping to look for bone marrow donors. Dr. Jackson says the other clinics didn’t want to break patient confidentiality.
A car almost runs Erin over while leaving the doctor’s office, but she stealthily dives out of the way.
Rattled but determined, Erin visits Diana to talk about Dr. Jackson. Diana apologizes to Erin for turning a blind eye to what is obviously going on. They hug it out and cry together.
Then Dr. Jackson comes home and tells Diana Erin is trying to ruin their lives. He claims he is helping hundreds of people who couldn’t have kids when it isn’t possible. He pitches that they kill Erin and go on the run. Then he pulls out a gun.
Chris jumps in out of nowhere and tries to fight Dr. Jackson off, but it is Erin with a cast iron skillet that takes out the doctor.
It is the baby’s first birthday, and there is a caterpillar cake that looks delicious. They sing Happy Birthday, which is still weird to see in movies since it became public domain. The end!
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
Alt Title: Conceived in Lies
This story could have been told in a much more compelling way. I’d check out the documentary Our Father on Netflix for a better use of two hours.
The villains of this movie didn’t really go down in a satisfying way. The rude boss was just rude, and that was it. Dr. Jackson didn’t even seem to acknowledge what he did was wrong.
Overall rating
Number of Kills: 🔪(1 knife)
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
🍷🍷 (2 Glasses of Wine)
Should you watch it?
Pour it up! (Give it a shot)
Put a Cork in It (Skip It)
What did you think of the movie? Let me know in the comments or on social media @LifetimeUncorked & @patrickmiguel
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