Watch Jezebel's Kiss

Jezebel's Kiss is a psychological thriller from 1990 that tells the story of the unraveling of a fragile family dynamic. The movie stars Katherine Barrese as Jezebel, the teenage daughter of an ambitious politician named Senator Magruder, played by Malcolm McDowell, and his second wife Julia, played by Meredith Baxter. From the opening scene, it is clear that Jezebel is a troubled young woman. She has just returned home from a stint in a mental institution, and her fragile mental state is evident in the things she says and the way she acts. Her father is running for re-election, and it is important that his image remains pristine, so he hires a private detective named Alex, played by Peter Weller, to keep an eye on Jezebel and keep her out of trouble.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that there is a great deal of tension between Jezebel and her stepmother Julia. Julia is trying her best to be a loving and supportive parent, but she is constantly undermined by Jezebel's erratic behavior. Meanwhile, Senator Magruder is more concerned with his political career than his family, which only adds to the dysfunction in the household.

Things come to a head when Jezebel starts to exhibit increasingly dangerous behavior. She becomes obsessed with getting her father's attention, and this leads her down a dark path of deception and manipulation. She starts to spy on her stepmother and Alex, hoping to find some way to use their secrets against them. When she discovers that Julia has a dark secret from her past, Jezebel sees an opportunity to strike a blow against her hated stepmother.

Jezebel's Kiss is a slow-burning thriller that relies heavily on the tension between the characters. The cast is uniformly strong, with McDowell delivering a typically compelling performance as the ruthless politician and Baxter bringing a sense of vulnerability to her role as the beleaguered stepmother. Barrese is the standout, however, turning in a fearless and unsettling performance as the troubled teen at the heart of the story.

The movie is beautifully shot, with director Richard Lemay making excellent use of the family's imposing mansion to create an atmosphere of claustrophobia and tension. The score by James Horner is suitably moody, adding to the feeling of unease that permeates the film.

Overall, Jezebel's Kiss is a well-crafted and compelling thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. It's a raw and unsettling exploration of family dynamics, mental illness, and the dark side of human nature. Whether you're a fan of psychological thrillers or simply looking for a movie that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Jezebel's Kiss is definitely worth a watch.

Jezebel's Kiss is a 1990 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.4.