History Film / VowsOfDeceit

* BlatantLies: Sara discovers a photograph that shows Leo with another woman. When Sara confronts Leo about it, he answers - hesitantly - that the woman is his sister Maisy. Sara doesn't seem remotely convinced.

* GenreShift: The earlier sections of the movie revolve around Sara discovering the truth about Leo and doing amateur detective work - fairly standard TV movie stuff. After the bride-killer ups the stakes by offing Maisy, the movie starts to veer into horror or action/thriller territory.

** The actresses deserve a shout for mostly performing their own stunts in a more action-packed than usual TV movie (especially Katherine Bailess and [[spoiler: Tiffany Hines]]).

* WeddingDay: Twice. The first is the opening, relatively serene marriage between Sara and Leo. The second is the far more chaotic, action-packed extravaganza that is the Leo/Parker wedding. [[spoiler: It doesn't end well for the bride.]]

A short 30 second preview is available on [[https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/deadly-matrimony Lifetime's website]]. A longer, two minute trailer (with more spoiler content) can be viewed on the [[http://www.marvista.net/catalog_items/1161 Marvista Entertainment website]] or alternatively [[http://www.c21media.net/screenings/marvistaentertainment/vows-of-deceit/11952/ C21 Media]].

The movie was produced by [[http://ninthhousefilms.com The Ninth House]], a US-based company headed by director [[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3401440 Jake Helgren]] and producer [[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2608927 Autumn Federici]]. The movie's screenplay was co-written by Jake Helgren and [[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4959457 Emily Nye]]. [[http://www.marvista.net/ Marvista Entertainment]] handle sales and distribution.

A short 30 second preview is available on [[https://www.mylifetime.com/movies/deadly-matrimony Lifetime's website]]. A longer, two minute trailer (with more spoiler content) can be viewed on [[http://www.c21media.net/screenings/marvistaentertainment/vows-of-deceit/11952/ C21 Media]].

The central character is Sara Ross, portrayed by [[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1349694 Katherine Bailess]]. Everything seems to be going brilliantly for Sara when she marries the handsome and seemingly perfect Leo Friedman ([[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3090838 Damon Dayoub]]). However, after Leo begins to act strangely and spend time away from home, Sara grows suspicious of his activities. The situation worsens when Sara's credit card is declined, and she discovers Leo has fraudulently used her signature to withdraw funds from her bank accounts.

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: In a notably intense scene, the bride-killer makes [[spoiler: Cindy]] suffer, using hooked wrist restraints to hold her in place. After prolonging the agony, the killer fatally wounds the woman with a kitchen knife.

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: In a notably intense scene, the bride-killer makes [[spoiler: Cindy]] suffer, using hooked wrist restraints to hold her in place and prolong the agony before fatally wounding her with a kitchen knife.

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: In a notably intense scene, the bride-killer makes [[spoiler: Cindy]] suffer, using hooked wrist restraints to hold her in place and prolong the agony. Later on, Sara is [[Main/ScreamDiscretionShot truly horrified]] when she discovers the body.

* AloneWithThePsycho: While Sara lies in bed with [[{{Fanservice}} topless hubby Leo]] he produces a kitchen knife, which causes her to recoil in terror. Leo then asks Sara if she's scared, sinister expression and all.

** The longer (two minute) trailer shows the bride-killer attacking [[spoiler: Cindy]] and lifting her up in the air. Without slowing playback down, it's unlikely viewers will notice the restraint on the victim's left arm, or the killer cutting a strap which secures it to the shoulder hook.

** In the Creator/{{Lifetime}} preview, the bride-killer only features once: a rear shot in the scene where [[spoiler: Cindy]] is killed. Watch the killer's arm in slow motion, and it's clear the victim's follows in tandem - hinting at the restraint setup.

** The longer (two minute) trailer shows the bride-killer attacking [[spoiler: Cindy]] and lifting her up in the air. Without slowing play speed, it's unlikely viewers will notice the restraint on the victim's left arm, or the killer cutting a strap which secures it to the shoulder hook.
** The harness around [[spoiler: Sara's]] waist is also easy to miss, and the killer's left shoulder hook only appears clearly in a handful of frames.
** In the Creator/{{Lifetime}} preview, the bride-killer only features once: a rear shot in the scene where [[spoiler: Cindy]] is killed. Watch the killer's arm lower in slow motion, and it's clear the victim's follows in tandem - hinting at the restraint setup.

* FreezeFrameBonus: Several details in the two trailers are almost impossible to spot at normal playing speed.
** The longer (two minute) trailer includes a scene where the bride-killer attacks [[spoiler: Cindy]] and lifts her up in the air. Without slowing playback, it's unlikely viewers would notice the restraint on the victim's left arm, or the killer cutting a strap which secures it to the shoulder hook.
** The harness around [[spoiler: Sara's]] waist is also easy to miss, and the hooks affixed to the killer's arm only appear clearly in a couple of frames.
** In the Creator/Lifetime preview, the bride-killer only features once: a rear shot in the scene where [[spoiler: Cindy]] is killed.

* FreezeFrameBonus: Several details are almost impossible to spot at normal playing speed.
** The longer (two minute) trailer includes a scene where the bride-killer attacks [[spoiler: Cindy]] and lifts her up in the air. If watched in slow motion or frame-by-frame, the killer can be seen cutting a strap which secures the wrist restraint to the shoulder hook.
** In the same trailer, the harness around [[spoiler: Sara's]] waist is easy to miss, and the hooks on the killer's arm only appear clearly in a couple of frames.

* TookALevelInBadass: Relatively early on, Sara flinches at the sight of photographed dead body and sits crying in her car. By the film's climax, she is a bona fide ActionGirl, physically attacking Leo in fury and fighting off multiple attempts on her life.

* YourCheatingHeart: Three months into her own marriage, Sara learns Leo is also married to Maisy and Melinda, and is planning to marry Cindy and Parker. That makes ''five'' wives simultaneously - he's been a busy man that Leo.

* NoTellMotel: Sara and Melinda meet in a run-down motel to discuss their plan.

* WhamLine: Sara is already suspicious of Leo when Melinda shows up at her home to drop the proverbial bomb.

* LetsGetDangerous: During the wedding day confrontation, pistol-wielding Leo angrily removes his tie. Somewhat reminiscent of George Clooney in ''Out of Sight (1998)''.

* BlackDudeDiesFirst: Subverted. Melinda - the only notable black character - is still alive as the climax approaches.

* CruelAndUnusualDeath: In a notably intense scene, the bride-killer makes [[spoiler: Cindy]] suffer, using hooked wrist restraints to hold her in place and prolong the agony. Sara is [[Main/ScreamDiscretionShot truly horrified when she discovers the body]].

* BlackDudeDiesFirst: Subverted. Melinda - the only notable black character - is still very much alive as the climax approaches.

* BlackDudeDiesFirst: Subverted. Melinda - the only notable black character - is very much alive after the wedding day confrontation.

* WhamLine: Sara is already suspicious of Leo when Melinda shows up at her home. Melinda asks if Leo is away, then warns Sara he's going to ruin her.

* CoolMask: The bride-killer wears an identity-concealing black hood fitted with plastic webbing to distort the face. For someone so sophisticated, a ski mask simply won't do.

* WeddingDay: Twice. The first is the opening, relatively serene marriage between Sara and Leo. The second is the far more chaotic, action extravaganza at the Leo/Parker wedding. [[spoiler: Which doesn't end well for the bride.]]

The central character is Sara Ross, portrayed by [[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1349694 Katherine Bailess]]. Everything seems to be going brilliantly for Sara when she marries the handsome and seemingly perfect Leo Friedman ([[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3090838 Damon Dayoub]]). However, after Leo begins to act strangely and spend time away from home, Sara grows suspicious of his activities. The situation worsens when Sara learns her credit card has been declined, and Leo has fraudulently used her signature to withdraw funds from her accounts.

Sara then receives a disturbing visit from Melinda Wells ([[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2015692 Tiffany Hines]]), who reveals Leo is married to ''her'' under a different name and has financially ruined her as well. Further investigation reveals Leo plans to marry two further women: Cindy Steele ([[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1931742/ Keeley Hazell]]) and Parker Wyndham ([[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3196681 Ali Cobrin]]).

Events take a deadly turn when a fifth wife - Maisy Summers ([[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2148448 Nikki Moore]]) - is found murdered. Fearful the thieving Leo is also a bride-killer, the wronged women band together to get revenge before it's too late.

* OhCrap: While undercover as bridesmaids at Parker's wedding, Sara and Melinda secretly meet up with her in an empty room. Suddenly there is a knock on the door. Sara and Melinda turn round, frightened of discovery.

* ShotgunWedding: At Leo's wedding to Parker, he's confronted by a determined-looking Melinda, cold eyed as she aims a pistol. Parker and Sara stand in the background, looking somewhat scared of their ally. [[spoiler: Perhaps they should be even more scared.]]

* ArsenalAttire: The bride-killer's outfit is a rare slasher-themed example - it includes extendable hooks sewn into the shoulders that can be fitted with a harness or wrist restraints.

* BlatantLies: Sara discovers a picture that shows Leo with another woman. When Sara confronts Leo about it, he answers - hesitantly - that the woman is his sister Maisy. Sara doesn't seem remotely convinced by his explanation.

* NetworkDecay: Strongly averted. While there are many typical Creator/{{Lifetime}} movie elements (wronged woman, psycho boyfriend etc.), take into account the action and horror elements and distinct lack of padding to fill a ninety minute run time, and this movie is anything but routine.

* WeddingDay: Twice. The first is the opening, relatively serene marriage between Sara and Leo. The second is the more chaotic, action set piece at the Leo/Parker wedding. [[spoiler: Which doesn't end well for the bride.]]