Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- tense
- foreboding
- sensational
- late night thriller viewing
- domestic suspense marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film shallow, clichéd, morally awkward, and insufficiently suspenseful, despite its polished presentation and attractive cast.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John and Laura's home, marriage, and planned family become threatened by Anna's fixation during the surrogate pregnancy.
The Taylors' desperate desire for a baby and dependence on a surrogate drive the central conflict.
Anna is initially presented as the ideal surrogate before her fixation on John endangers the couple.
The film uses presentable mainstream polish, panicky suspense beats, and familiar dramatic staging associated by critics with cable television thrillers.
Films like When the Bough Breaks, and why
The Hand That Rocks the Cradle
shared domestic thriller framework, obsessive antagonist, and pregnancy-related peril
Fatal Attraction
shared erotic thriller tension, marital vulnerability, and dangerous obsession
Unlawful Entry
shared domestic suspense, escalating fixation, and polished mainstream thriller style
The Surrogate
shared surrogate-pregnancy premise, psychological menace, and reproductive anxiety
Movie Details
- Director
- Jon Cassar
- Release Date
- 2016-09-09
- Runtime
- 97 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (441)
Cast
- Morris Chestnut
- Regina Hall
- Jaz Sinclair
- Romany Malco
- Michael Kenneth Williams
- Glenn Morshower
- Theo Rossi
- GiGi Erneta
- Micheal K. Douglas
- Christina Bach
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is When the Bough Breaks about?
- A desperate couple’s surrogate pregnancy becomes a claustrophobic battle for marriage, family, and control when their seemingly perfect surrogate fixates on the husband.
- What is When the Bough Breaks like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of When the Bough Breaks as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as simple.
- Is When the Bough Breaks violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in When the Bough Breaks as moderate.
- What did critics think of When the Bough Breaks?
- Critics broadly found the film shallow, clichéd, morally awkward, and insufficiently suspenseful, despite its polished presentation and attractive cast.
- Which films are like When the Bough Breaks?
- Films with a similar feel include The Hand That Rocks the Cradle, Fatal Attraction, Unlawful Entry, and The Surrogate.
- How long is When the Bough Breaks?
- When the Bough Breaks runs 97 minutes.
- Where can I watch When the Bough Breaks?
- In United States, When the Bough Breaks is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Spectrum On Demand.
