The Bad Orphan (2024 Lifetime)
📺. Stream/Watch the Movie (Ad) Watch or Stream the Lifetime Movie Here
Cast: Betsy Brandt, Mark Taylor, Chloe Chapman
Director: Michelle Ouellet
Writer(s): Doris Egan
➡️ Check out our Youtube Channel: Lifetime Uncorked: Lifetime Movie Reviews
🎧 Listen to the Lifetime Uncorked Podcast: Listen Now
🍷 Support the show with a $5 tip: https://ko-fi.com/patrickserrano
Accused: The Karen Read Story, Katie Cassidy, and Turtleboy? – Lifetime Uncorked
- Accused: The Karen Read Story, Katie Cassidy, and Turtleboy?
- It's A Wonderful Lifetime Preview, Brandy Norwood, Vivica A. Fox, and Airplane Movies?
- If I Run Lifetime Movie, Kat Graham, and Prayer Requests?
- Ice Road Killer Lifetime Movie, Christmas Thrillers, and Truckers
- You Better Watch Out, Christmas in July, and Bramblefest?
- The Nanny Sees All 2025 Lifetime Movie, Child Actor of the Year, and Golden Madison?
- I'm Your Biggest Fan Lifetime Movie, Hailey Duff Directs, and Beverley Mitchell?
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
Your contribution is appreciated.
DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
The psychological drama centers on Jessica (Betsy Brandt) and Karl (Mark Taylor), loving parents to Rhiannon (Eve Edwards), who after years of trying to add to their family are elated to adopt Gabby (Chloe Coco Chapman), an 8-year-old orphan born with personal challenges. Their ideas of a perfect family come into question when they discover that Gabby is a troubled little girl, and the family begins to believe things aren’t what they seem. As the unsettling behavior of their “child” worsens and lies are uncovered, cracks in the family dynamic form with Jessica becoming increasingly concerned that adopted daughter Gabby is a threat to their family.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
The movie starts with a house on fire. A couple watches on tearfully and tells the fireman that their foster child is responsible. Gabby swings on her swingset and gleefully watches the house burn to the ground.
Jessica and Karl are raising their teenage daughter, Rhiannon, who is a track star. Since their daughter is doing so well and almost off to college, the couple decided to adopt a child in need, but they have had four babies fall through. The agency suggests adopting an 8-year-old child with special needs. Jess and Karl ask for time to think it over.
Gabriel Sadler was born in Portugal and given up by her mother when she was one. She has been in and out of foster homes ever since. They meet Gabby at the orphanage and she tells them that she wants a real family who loves her. Gabby gives them a picture she took from another kid, and they hug. The adoption is on.
Rhiannon shows Gabby around and is happy to have a little sister to take her attention off of her. Gabby is unimpressed with her room and her mother’s playful attitude. Something feels off to Jess right away.
Oh no, Jess shows Gabby her latex allergy medical bracelet. (Which will DEFINITELY be used against her.) Gabby talks about her birth mother being a famous singer and asks for caviar for breakfast. (Random!) The family laughs, thinking Gabby is so funny! Then it is bathtime and Gabby refuses to bathe.
Jess brings Gabby to work with her, and they make cookies because they are good for home sales. As they bake, Jess asks Gabby about the fibs she has been telling. Gabby lied to the homeowner and said she was from Monico instead of Portugal. Gabby trashes the kitchen when Jess isn’t looking.
Tension is high between Gabby and Rhiannon after Gabby takes things from her big sister’s room and watches her sleep. Gabby doesn’t respond well to discipline and screams in her parent’s faces when they try. Jess tumbles down the stairs after tripping on a strategically placed stuffed animal.
Karl and Jess don’t want to give Gabby back during the provisional period and discuss putting Gabby in therapy. Jess hopes that things will turn around once Gabby is in second grade with an established teacher. The school doesn’t go much better. Gabby calls a kid a “bitch” and is bored with the classes, so she hides in the music room reading Flowers in the Attic.
While cleaning Gabby’s room, Jess finds hidden tampoons. Jess starts to think Gabby could be an adult posing as a kid. Then Gabby steals her sister’s earrings and tries to seduce Rhiannion’s jock boyfriend. Karl and Jess try to talk to Gabby, but Gabby freaks out. It is time for a child therapist.
The therapist speaks with Gabby and finds inconsistencies in her stories. (Particularly around an alleged earthquake in Portugal.) The parents learn that Gabby sees the world through dark and dangerous glasses. Gabby is in self-preservation mode. Jess shares her concerns about Gabby lying about her age. The therapist suggests more sessions to see if Gabby has psychopathy.
Karl and Jess send Rhiannion to live outside the house to keep her safe. (Gabby tried to attack her with scissors.) Jess wants to return Gabby, but Karl feels they are failing the child. Someone calls CPS, and that person is Gabby. (Who also posts on the family’s social media, boasting about adopting Gabby.)
Jess finally decides to check the references and meets with Gabby’s grandmother, who is losing her memory. She can’t verify that the birth certificate is legit. Karl talks to the former foster parents and learns about the house fire. Jess tries to convince Karl that Gabby is a liar, but he still has doubts. They ultimately decide to confront Gabby.
Gabby spooks Jess, and she drops a plate of food. They confront her while Jess cleans up with a pair of gloves. LATEX GLOVES. Karl locks Gabby in her room and takes Jess to the ER as she goes into anaphylactic shock. It is the last straw.
They tell Gabby to pack a bag and take a bath because they are taking her back. Jess tells Gabby that she knows she isn’t a little girl, and Gabby admits that she is fifteen. Then Gabby tells Jess that she will be sorry and runs away. They call the police, report her missing, and hear a thumping at night. Karl searches the house and finds Gabby tied up in the laundry room.
Jess framed Gabby to make it look like she was after the family. Karl puts his wife in a mental institution to get help. The doctors tell Karl that his wife is suffering a mental breakdown and can’t see Gabby as a child because she has convinced herself otherwise.
Karl explains to Rhiannion and Gabby what is happening with Jess. Then he asks Gabby to explain herself. Gabby explains she lied about her age to be more “adoptable” and stole things because she wanted to be more like Rhiannion. Karl and Rhiannon decide to give her another chance and give Jess updates in the hospital.
Meanwhile, Gabby smokes cigarettes and dresses slutty while admiring herself in the mirror. The movie leaves things open-ended. (I would recommend watching the HBO Documentary The Curious Case of Natalia Grace.)
Side Note/Stray Thoughts
Read about the true story and ALL ABOUT Natalia Grace to form your own opinion.
This movie did a good job telling both sides of this story in a limited time frame.
Betsy Brandt brings those acting skills. Loved her performance.
Overall rating
Number of Kills: N/A (0 knives)
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
🍷🍷🍷🍷 (4 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
Inquiries | podcast@lifetimeuncorked.com
🍾 Your Support is appreciated. Donate today to keep the website going! Thank you.
*Photo Credit: © 2024 Lifetime® | A+E Networks®
How on earth would anyone believe this person was an 8 year old little girl?!