There comes a time when a film isn’t just for entertainment purposes but a tool for audiences to gain a broader perspective into a world that needs more voices to awaken a war cry. On Sunday, June 9th at 8/7C, Lifetime will feature an original film based on a true story titled “Gaslit By My Husband,” starring Jana Kramer, Austin Nichols, and Jolie Rae Caussin.
Glitter&Gumbo received a sneak peek preview of survivor Morgan Metzer’s story, enacted by the incomparable Jana Kramer, who is also notably a domestic violence survivor, as she displays the peril of what happens when you say, “I Do” to someone you never knew had a dark side within.
Various forms of grief are displayed from beginning to end, as the plot twists will engage you in a genuinely unforgettable storyline. Viewers should be aware of and embrace the trigger warnings due to the horrific violence and domestic abuse that is displayed.
Poignant moments are uniquely woven throughout the film to provide greater depth into the patterns of domestic violence and how it cannot be something you just quickly walk away from. And quite frankly, one scene between Morgan and her parents highlights how those closest to us often don’t see us. On the other hand, strangers can evolve into family members, and victims may need their help to guide them toward a road of escape.
The ending scene is so profound that I had to speak with Metzer and Kramer, who describe how impactful this specific scene is during a Lifetime Press Conference clip shared below.
The mere fact that Morgan Metzer is courageous enough to share her story and still have hope filled with love for the future no longer makes her a victim but a representative of victory and justice for all. Metzer hopes the audience will walk away with hope in their heart after sharing her life story.
Overall, the entire cast did a phenomenal job, and I encourage you to watch Gaslit By My Husband when it premieres on Sunday, June 9th, at 8/7C on Lifetime. Always remember, if you or anyone you know is suffering from domestic abuse, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence Hotline via phone at 800.799.SAFE (7233) or text “START” to 88788.
About the film: Based on a true story, the movie follows Morgan (Kramer) and Rodney Metzer (Nichols), who were childhood sweethearts and married by the time Morgan was just 21 years old. The couple loses their first child shortly after birth but are overjoyed when they have twins a year later. Tensions begin to rise when Rodney loses his job and goes into debt. Rodney blames their fights on Morgan’s drinking – even if she’d only had one –and convinces Morgan that she pushed him down the stairs in a blackout rage. The couple finally separates, and Morgan’s life begins to turn around until Rodney gets diagnosed with cancer. Not long after, a masked intruder breaks into Morgan’s home and assaults her. Rodney shows up only minutes after the intruder is gone; when authorities question him, Rodney’s story doesn’t seem to be adding up. Does Rodney really have cancer, and is he the hero that he claims to be, or has he been gaslighting Morgan for decades? J. Barrett Cooper, Denise Dal Vera, and Maximo Sherman also star.
