A Husband to Die For: The Lisa Aguilar Story (2025 Lifetime Movie)
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Cast: Marilu Henner, Jon McLaren, Keana Lyn Bastidas
Director: Colleen Rush & David Weaver
Writer(s): Walter Klenhard
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DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearlySynopsis (via Lifetime)
inspired by the true story of a woman who, after being stabbed 50 times and surviving, discovers that her husband and soon-to-be father of her child is the one who tried to kill her.
When Lisa tells her husband Darren that she’s pregnant, the two jump for joy! Happily married for the past few years, the pair are thrilled to finally be starting a family of their own. But when the realities of fatherhood start sinking in, Darren acts out and begins an affair with a younger woman, Michelle. When Michelle pushed Darren to leave his wife and commit to her, he decides to get rid of Lisa for good. After disguising himself, Darren sneaks up on Lisa in their home and attacks her; stabbing her multiple times. Miraculously, Lisa and her baby survive, and she begins working with the police to identify her attacker. But when the evidence starts point to Darren, Lisa can’t believe it and defends him. It’s only with the support of her family and God that she’s able to come to terms with reality and fight for Darren to be put behind bars.
Recap/Wine Thoughts
Based on a True Story
Newlyweds Lisa and Darren appear to have it all. They are attractive, love picnics/golfing, and are expecting their first child. Darren comes from a wealthy white family, and he is hesitant to tell his parents; maybe he doesn’t want to be a dad. They wait five months to share the news. Lisa wants to name the baby Darren Jr. (BIG Eye roll!)
While Lisa goes to doctors’ appointments and picks out baby clothes with Darren’s mother, Darren is taking off his wedding ring and flirting with college co-eds on the golf course. When Lisa goes out of town for a baby shower, Darren makes his move on the blonde college girl. (She doesn’t even know what calamari is. Lisa is so much better!)
Lisa’s grandma, Marilu Henner, is supportive of her and understands Lisa’s reservations about trying to win over her in-laws. The problem isn’t with the in-laws, though; it is with Darren, who just isn’t ready to be a father. The doctor misestimated the due date and pushed it up by two weeks, which sends Darren into a tailspin. He leans into his affair with the college girl and lies to her, saying he and Lisa are breaking things off. (Is this college girl for real?!?!?)
Lisa worries about Darren’s behavior and feels like her pregnant body is repulsive to him. She tries to put on lingerie to entice him, and he gives her positive reinforcement. Darren is playing the part of the supportive husband until he can figure out how to get rid of Lisa.
Darren stages a break-in in the home and attacks Lisa when she comes home with groceries. He is disguised in a gorilla mask and armed with a knife. It is horrific and violent. He leaves Lisa for dead, but she plays dead to save herself and her unborn baby. Lisa manages to call 911 and screams for her husband in the hospital, unaware of what he has done. Lisa and the baby survive, and Darren stays by her bedside like a dutiful husband.
Detectives question Lisa and are quick to zero in on the husband. The police tell Lisa that it is normal for them to ask these questions to rule out suspects. Lisa mentions the gorilla mask, and it will become the linchpin in the case. Darren is arrested, and the stress sends Lisa into labor. It is not the birth plan she had in mind, and she cannot believe Darren would hurt her. Darreen’s parents are more interested in Lisa staying on their son’s side than seeing the baby.
The case against Darren is pretty strong. No forced entry, blood in Darren’s car, and the receipt for the gorilla mask. He is locked up, and Lisa visits him in jail. When she asks him why he did it, he says he can’t remember. Darren wants to be a family again and go to counseling. I’m not sure which is crazier, that he asked or that Lisa considers it.
Sadly, Lisa is so traumatized and in pain from the attack that she can’t bond with her newborn son. Lisa learns about the college co-ed and reads their love letters. The affair started while Lisa was seven months pregnant, and she decided to testify in Darren’s trial. Marilu Henner suddenly has heart failure and tells Lisa to let Darren go.
In court, Lisa recounts the attack and explains in vivid detail what Darren did to her. Lisa explains that she held her breath and stopped moving to save herself and the baby. The stress of the trial, her grandmother’s almost dying, and trying to be a mother is too much, and Lisa almost drives off a cliff. Lisa has a change of heart and commits to raising her son.
Three years later, Lisa wears scarves to hide her scars, has renamed her son, and tries to move on. Darren is up for parole for good behavior, which is so rude. Lisa isn’t going to stand for that, and she shows up to speak out against him. His move for early release is denied, and he serves 22 years in prison.
Darren was released in 2016, and Lisa went on to remarry and have more children with a non-psycho husband…. hopefully!
STRAY Thoughts
This was a WILD ripped-from-the-headlines story. I can’t imagine what Lisa went through.
Overall rating
Number of Kills: None, thankfully!
Lifetime Tropes: Pregnancy, Bad Husband, True Crime,
Enjoyment Level (1-5 scale)
🍷🍷🍷 (3 Glasses of Wine)
Should you watch it?
Pour it up (Watch It!)
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