Arson Mom

Arson Mom is a 2014 thriller movie starring Julie Benz, Rick Ravanello, and Maxwell Kovach. The movie follows the story of a mother named Lauren who is fighting for the custody of her children against her ex-husband. Desperate and pushed to her limits, Lauren sets fire to her ex-husband's home in a fit of rage. But little does she know that her act of rebellion will spiral out of control, leading to unimaginable consequences.

The movie begins with Lauren (Julie Benz) struggling to make ends meet while taking care of her two children. She works as an EMT and constantly juggles her job, household chores, and taking care of her children. On the other hand, her ex-husband, Tom (Rick Ravanello), is wealthy and lives in a luxurious mansion. He has remarried and his new wife is not fond of Lauren's presence in their children's lives. The battle for custody becomes intense, and Lauren's EMT license is suspended following a complaint from Tom. This pushes Lauren over the edge and she decides to take matters into her own hands.

Lauren's first act of retaliation is to break into Tom's home and steal some of his belongings. However, she is caught by the security cameras and the police are notified. Lauren barely escapes but one of the officers recognizes her car. As a result, she is questioned by the police, but denies any involvement in the burglary.

Angry and frustrated, Lauren decides to set fire to Tom's house. She initially thinks of it as a means to get back at him and get her children back. However, things spiral out of control when the fire spreads to neighbouring houses, leading to the death of several people. Lauren is horrified and realizes that what she had done was not just a petty act of rebellion. It had real, life-threatening consequences.

Arson Mom is a gripping tale of a mother who goes to extreme lengths to protect her children. Julie Benz's portrayal of Lauren is raw and powerful, making the audience empathize with her struggles. The movie is also notable for its realistic portrayal of how messy divorce and custody battles can get. Ravanello does an excellent job of playing the villain, Tom, his arrogance and cruelty play off Benz's desperation in the most tense scenes.

One of the high points of the movie is the depiction of the events that unfold after the fire. The media frenzy, investigations, and courtroom scenes feel authentic and add to the suspense of the movie. The movie also touches upon the question of whether the end justifies the means, as Lauren's actions were for the sake of her children, but ended up causing more harm than good. The story is further refined by Lauren having to come to terms with the consequences of her actions both for herself and others.

The movie's screenplay is taut, and the cinematography effectively captures the tension of the story. It is a gripping thriller that keeps the audience on edge till the very end. Arson Mom is an under the radar thriller that well deserves a spot on moviegoers watchlist.

In conclusion, Arson Mom is a captivating movie that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It's a story of a mother who will do anything, even set fire to a home, to protect her children. It is a well-written, well-directed, and perfectly executed thriller. Julie Benz's powerful performance makes this movie worth watching. If you enjoy edge-of-your-seat movies that explore complex themes, then Arson Mom is definitely worth checking out.