The Family That Preys

Name: The Family That Preys
Genre: Drama
Released: September 12, 2008
Duration: 111 min
Rating: 49
Cast: Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan

2008

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 14 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 48 Ratings

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8.4

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8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 48 Ratings

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The Family That Preys

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: September 12, 2008 | PG-13

Starring: Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan

Summary: Wealthy socialite Charlotte Cartwright and her dear friend Alice Pratt, a working class woman of high ideals, have enjoyed a lasting friendship throughout many years. Suddenly, their lives become mired in turmoil as their adult children’s extramarital affairs, unethical business practices and a dark paternity secret threaten to derailWealthy socialite Charlotte Cartwright and her dear friend Alice Pratt, a working class woman of high ideals, have enjoyed a lasting friendship throughout many years. Suddenly, their lives become mired in turmoil as their adult children’s extramarital affairs, unethical business practices and a dark paternity secret threaten to derail family fortunes and unravel the lives of all involved. Alice’s self-centered newlywed daughter Andrea is betraying her trusting husband Chris by engaging in a torrid affair with her boss and mother’s best friend’s son William. While cheating on his wife Jillian with a string of ongoing dalliances with his mistress Andrea, William’s true focus is to replace the COO of his mother’s lucrative construction corporation. Meanwhile, Alice’s other daughter Pam, a kind but no nonsense woman married to a hard working construction worker, tries to steer the family in a more positive direction. (Lionsgate)… Expand

Director: Tyler Perry

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 111 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

TV Guide Magazine Ken Fox

Thanks to some first-rate acting from its stars, it ranks among Perry's best. Read full review

Carrie Rickey

Was it just three years ago that Perry made his feature debut with "Diary of a Mad Black Woman?" Then his filmmaking was strictly amateur; now his sweeping pans and portentous closeups approach those of Pedro Almódovar. Read full review

Peter Debruge

Bates and Woodard strike up a real dynamic, and picture gives the duo room to improvise, leading to one raucous scene after another as they Thelma-and-Louise it in a top-down convertible. Read full review

Sam Adams

Perry deserves due respect for exploiting an untapped niche. Read full review

Chuck Wilson

What's memorable here is the sparkling chemistry between Bates and Woodard, whose scenes together are a pleasure to watch, even as one thinks that their next outing should be to co-teach a master class entitled, "How To Rise Above Cliché." Read full review

Claudia Puig

Though better than most of Perry's broad comedies, The Family That Preys still suffers from excessive predictability and mawkish sentiment, which detracts from the story's believability. Read full review

Stephen Holden

The suds that cascade through Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys more than equal the cubic footage from nighttime soaps like "Dallas," "Dynasty" and their offspring. Read full review

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User Reviews

TheateraNerd

Jul 9, 2012

Give credit to Tyler Perry for not glamorizing drug dealing, criminal activities, selfish actions and the like. Tyler Perry advocates practical Christian and family values, and it ends up making a masterpiece! I love this movie as well as every other Tyler Perry films! Of course as expectedGive credit to Tyler Perry for not glamorizing drug dealing, criminal activities, selfish actions and the like. Tyler Perry advocates practical Christian and family values, and it ends up making a masterpiece! I love this movie as well as every other Tyler Perry films! Of course as expected critics underestimate ANOTHER great movie by Tyler Perry. Of course people will rate this movie low because they're JEALOUS that Tyler Perry is so wealthy and succesfull! Remember jealousy is a sin!!!...… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

JenniferN.

Sep 24, 2008

His movies are getting better. I was impressed with this movie.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Turner

Sep 25, 2008

I thought this movie was Fantastic! It was different from Perry's norm and it was great! It had the realism of everyday life that no one wants to talk about. Excellent Job!

0 of 0 users found this helpful

DenieceF.

Jan 22, 2009

This was an excellent movie! I saw it at the movies and will definitiely be adding it to my dvd collection.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

LarryJ.

Sep 13, 2008

The type of movie that you could take your kids to, yet have a story line that's interesting and entertaining for adults. In most instances you leave a movie asking yourself, " What would I have done different to make this a better movie?" My answer: Nothing!!!

1 of 1 users found this helpful

MochaW.

Sep 23, 2008

A great movie as usual. Keep it coming.

1 of 1 users found this helpful

CharlesW.

Oct 25, 2008

I was between watching the family that preys or high school musical 3 but i decided to watch the family that preys with my homies intead of HSM 3 with my girl and i really got bored in this movie so without the movie staff noticing i changed to the HSM 3 screen and enjoyed a great movie. I was between watching the family that preys or high school musical 3 but i decided to watch the family that preys with my homies intead of HSM 3 with my girl and i really got bored in this movie so without the movie staff noticing i changed to the HSM 3 screen and enjoyed a great movie. Dont watch this movie. It is not worth it if you dont like senseless movies.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

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