‘Flowers In The Attic’ Review: Lifetime TV Movie Is Haunting Reboot; Plus 5 Things To Know About V.C. Andrews-Inspired Film

The story of “Flowers In the Attic” leaves people quaking with fear, disgust and dread. The novel, which is the first book in V.C. Andrews’ aptly named Dollanganger Series, was first adapted into a blockbuster film in 1987 and has been haunting audiences since. Now, Lifetime is bringing the story of Cathy, Chris, Cory and Carrie to the small screen in a new TV movie that promises to be even more graphic than the first film adaption. More graphic and more authentic, despite my mother’s refusal to allow me to first read the novel and then watch the 1987 film, she has since relented and thankfully just in time to watch a true book-to-screen adaption of the unforgettable tale.

Lifetime has promised to tell an unedited version without sugarcoating the arsenic-laced doughnuts, and incestuous relationships. The special movie presentation premieres on Jan. 18 with Kiernan Shipka of “Mad Men” playing the role of everyone’s beloved Cathy, Heather Graham will portray Corinne, the perfect mother turned antagonist, whom the children (especially Cathy) have a dark relationship with. In addition to the mother-daughter tension in this series, Cathy’s relationship with her siblings grow, mainly with her brother Chris, who is played by Mason Dye.

If you are a little late to the “Flowers in the Attic” party, let me provide you with a brief and unfortunately, spoiler-filled history. The Dollanganger family live an idyllic life, older siblings Cathy and Chris adore their parents. A joke within their community leads them to be known as “Dresden Dolls,” due to the family’s fair skin, sun kissed blonde hair and striking blue eyes. However, the Dollanganger’s perfect life drastically changes after a tragic car accident that leaves their father dead. Their mother Corrine, who considers herself unsuitable for the work place, whisks her four children to her mother’s home with little more than the clothing on their backs. However, this is not a cheery visit to grandmother’s house, upon arrival Cathy and Chris begin to realize there is several serious implications to their father’s death.

One of them being they must now live locked in an attic, where they will stay for over two years. Their mother subsequently abandons them to suffer at the hands of their sadistic grandmother, and as if the plot wasn’t twisted enough, Cathy and Chris begin to develop feelings for each other. This was a major scene that was notably removed from the 1987 film version of “Flowers in the Attic,” although according to Entertainment Weekly, Lifetime promises to go there. “The script is faithful to the book,” says director Deborah Chow. Or, to put it more bluntly: “Will there be incest? Yes,” says Dye, who plays Chris. “We stay very true to the book."

“Flowers in the Attic” is set to premiere on Lifetime on Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. Check out an extended trailer for the special TV movie presentation. Are you excited to see the cult classic brought into the modern day? Comment below and let us know. We want to hear from you “Flowers” fans!