SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY
Suspenseful domestic terror that is not recommended.
Should You Watch It?
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY tells a tense story about a terrified wife escaping a sociopathic husband's tyranny. Its suspense is real, and its portrayal of wife abuse exposes a terrible evil. The film also offers a fast-moving struggle for safety as Laura tries to make a new life while Martin searches for her.
But the source review finds that the film does not edify the viewer. Explicit sex and graphic violence overwhelm whatever value comes from exposing abuse. The review also says that women like Laura desperately need the Savior, Jesus Christ, to help them.
If you are deciding for yourself or your family, the answer is clear: skip this R-rated thriller.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESLaura Burney appears to have an ideal marriage to Martin, a successful investment broker. Behind the immaculate home and perfect-housewife image, however, Laura lives in terror of her husband's jealousy and sadistic beatings.
After a storm at sea creates an opportunity, Laura escapes and begins again in Cedar Falls, Iowa. There she develops a relationship with Ben, a local college drama teacher. But Martin eventually discovers that Laura is alive and begins searching for her.
Is It Any Good?
Three stars means the film has real entertainment value despite serious problems. SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY is described as fast-paced and suspense-filled, built around Laura's attempt to escape and Martin's search for her.
Its dramatic subject matter is also significant: wife abuse is portrayed as a terrible evil that needs to be exposed. But the source review does not find the film edifying, specifically because of its explicit sex and graphic violence. Those elements make the film's suspense costly for the viewer.
The Worldview
The film exposes the evil of wife abuse and presents a woman living under tyranny, terror, and sadistic beatings. It also follows her desire to escape and make a new life. Those concerns can align with a biblical hatred of cruelty and oppression.
The source review, however, says the film does not provide the spiritual answer Laura needs. It argues that women like her desperately need the Savior, Jesus Christ, rather than having only to run from their problems and live in fear. The film's explicit sex, adultery, graphic violence, cruelty, and murder further keep it from building viewers up.
The review points to God's promise of guidance: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye” (Psalm 32:8).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Few obscenities; explicit sexual relations and adultery; extreme violence; and, cruelty and murder.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film presents wife abuse as a terrible evil. How does Scripture describe God's concern for people who are oppressed or mistreated?
Psalm 10:17–18 · Isaiah 1:17Laura lives in fear and searches for a way out. What does it mean to seek God's guidance in a frightening situation?
Psalm 32:8 · James 1:5The review says that people like Laura need the Savior, Jesus Christ. What kind of help and hope does Jesus offer to people living under sin and suffering?
Matthew 11:28–30 · Psalm 34:18The Final Word
SLEEPING WITH THE ENEMY has suspense and a serious subject, but its explicit sex and graphic violence make it unedifying. For your family or for yourself, our answer is SKIP IT. Consider these alternatives instead:
