The Wrong Daughter
Performance & Direction: The Wrong Daughter Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Wrong Daughter (2018) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE with a verified audience rating of 5.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Wrong Daughter features a noteworthy lineup led by Cindy Busby . Supported by the likes of April Bowlby and Sydney Sweeney , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Wrong Daughter (2018) is mixed. With an audience rating of 5.5/10, it stands as a decent one-time watch.
Story & Plot Summary: The Wrong Daughter
Quick Plot Summary: The Wrong Daughter is a Thriller, Crime, Drama, TV Movie film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: The Wrong Daughter
Ending Breakdown: The Wrong Daughter attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of The Wrong Daughter reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
The Wrong Daughter Real vs. Reel: Is it Based on a True Story?
The Wrong Daughter incorporates elements from real criminal cases. As a thriller, crime, drama, tv movie film, it navigates the space between factual accuracy and narrative engagement.
Historical Context
The film takes creative liberties to enhance dramatic impact. Core events maintain connection to source material while adapting for theatrical presentation.
Creative interpretation shapes the final narrative, focusing on emotional truth over strict chronology.
Accuracy Assessment: The Wrong Daughter adapts its source material for dramatic purposes. The film prioritizes thematic resonance over documentary precision.
Who Should Watch The Wrong Daughter?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Thriller films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Top Cast: The Wrong Daughter
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Wrong Daughter Online?
Streaming Hub📺 Stream on
Amazon Prime Video
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Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoThe Wrong Daughter Parents Guide & Age Rating
2018 AdvisoryWondering about The Wrong Daughter age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Wrong Daughter is 89 minutes (1h 29m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 5.5/10, and global performance metrics, The Wrong Daughter is classified as a ABOVE AVERAGE. It remains an essential part of the 2018 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Wrong Daughter worth watching?
The Wrong Daughter is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 5.5/10 and stands as a ABOVE AVERAGE in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Wrong Daughter parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Wrong Daughter identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Wrong Daughter?
The total duration of The Wrong Daughter is 89 minutes, which is approximately 1h 29m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Wrong Daughter
**_The teen girl from hell_** An unruly 18 years-old orphaned girl (Sydney Sweeney) leaves a group home and worms her way into a young couple’s life by pretending to be the long lost daughter given up for adoption by the mother (Cindy Busby). “The Wrong Daughter” (2018) is a television production that understandably lacks the artistry of Drew Barrymore’s “Poison Ivy,” yet it works well enough for a family-oriented drama with some crime thrills, prosaic though it may be. Since it came out, Sweeney’s star has risen and most people will consider her the main attraction. She was almost 20 during shooting (or just turned 20), but she’s a little too thin here. As far as I’m concerned, Cindy Busby is the real highlight on the feminine front; she was 34 during shooting. (Be sure to check her out in “Behemoth” from seven years earlier, if you haven’t already). The flick is successful in making you root against the manipulations of the troubled young lass with the middle portion causing tedium and frustration. Yet the last act delivers the goods IMHO. She’s a psycho, but some sympathy is cultivated for her, even if it’s just a little. She executes evil deeds, indeed, yet the writers wisely keep it within plausibility. Less is more. It runs 1 hour, 30 minutes, and was shot in Los Angeles. GRADE: B-
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
