Watch Mommy Dead and Dearest

Mommy Dead and Dearest is a true crime documentary from 2017 that tells the shocking and heartbreaking story of the life of Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her mother, Dee Dee Blanchard. Directed by Erin Lee Carr, the film delves into the twisted dynamics of a mother-daughter relationship that leads to murder. The story begins with Dee Dee and Gypsy Rose, who were known as a pair of devoted and loving mother and daughter. Dee Dee was universally known in their Missouri community as a dedicated mother and devoted caretaker to her daughter. Gypsy is seen as a sweet and innocent girl suffering from a variety of diseases and disorders, including leukemia, muscular dystrophy, and other chronic illnesses.

However, as the film unfolds, it becomes clear that the happy facade of their lives is actually a web of lies and deceit. It is revealed that Dee Dee had been intentionally making Gypsy sick throughout her life, convincing doctors to prescribe her daughter numerous medications and treatments she didn't need. Gypsy had been fully convinced that she was sick, as Dee Dee had reportedly kept her isolated from the outside world and manipulated her into believing that her ailments were much worse than they were.

The two would become a fixture on the talk show and charity lecture circuit where they would paint a picture of a young girl battling terminal illnesses and a mother doing everything in her power to save her. But all of that was a carefully constructed facade forged by Dee Dee as though she was living out a scripted version of her own life.

The film explores the history of Dee Dee Blanchard's life, revealing a pattern of deceptive behavior that extended far beyond the abuse she inflicted upon her daughter. Dee Dee had convinced her acquaintances that she had a masters degree in psychology and was a licensed nurse, neither of which was true. She would receive money from charities and even have houses built for them as donations, and would routinely receive free trips to Disney World and other amusement parks.

The documentary also shines a light on the failures of the healthcare system responsible for Gypsy’s supposed treatment. The medical community had dismissed any thoughts of Munchausen syndrome by proxy since Dee Dee was ingratiated into the community and had a medical history that fit the bill up until discovering the fraud.

The film also touches on Dee Dee's other children, who had a variety of birth defects and developmental delays. They describe her being abusive, locking them in rooms, giving them enemas, and even hitting them with a belt. Disturbingly, Dee Dee controlled every aspect of their lives, including deciding when they should learn to read and write. She was fiercely determined to keep up appearances, making sure they never told anyone the truth about their lives.

Through extensive interviews with family members, medical experts, and friends, the documentary examines the increasing levels of abuse inflicted upon Gypsy throughout her life, leading to the ultimate and tragic climax of the story, which we do not spoil here.

Overall, Mommy Dead and Dearest is a heart-wrenching and deeply disturbing true crime documentary that explores the extremes to which a parent can go to control their child's life. The film exposes the failures of institutions meant to protect the most vulnerable members of society and raises questions about how to better identify and address cases of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in the future. Gypsy Rose's story is one of sadness, manipulation, and abuse, and the film ultimately provides a platform for her voice to be heard.

Mommy Dead and Dearest is a 2017 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.3.