This was a good movie, definitely something that belongs to the Lifetime channel. However, I found a lot of predictable moments and even some areas that just seemed like the acting was worse than others. If you need something to watch to pass the time then it's good for that. I think this movie needed either a better cast or perhaps some better acting that involved feeling. At times it was obvious the actors were detached from the characters. Outside of those problem areas, the movie was good to pass some time. I didn't feel the need to turn the channel, which means it held my attention well enough which can be hard to do sometimes.
11 Reviews
Predicable story and weak direction
phd_travel1 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Lifetime thrillers have been getting better and less predicable recently but this movie isn't one of them. Instead it seems like things are going back to the earlier days of predicable plots.
Kirby Bliss Blanton is the pretty psych major who's dorm mate commits suicide or did she get pushed? She goes after the deceased girl's boyfriend (Stephen Colletti of Laguna Beach). But of course it's not him. Brant Daugherty of Pretty Little Liars plays Kirby's boyfriend.
The direction is simplistic and the acting too obvious with laughable changes in facial expression. But the thing that sinks this movie is the villain is just too obvious from the beginning. The way the plot unfolds seems like a reading of a script.
Not one of the better ones.
Kirby Bliss Blanton is the pretty psych major who's dorm mate commits suicide or did she get pushed? She goes after the deceased girl's boyfriend (Stephen Colletti of Laguna Beach). But of course it's not him. Brant Daugherty of Pretty Little Liars plays Kirby's boyfriend.
The direction is simplistic and the acting too obvious with laughable changes in facial expression. But the thing that sinks this movie is the villain is just too obvious from the beginning. The way the plot unfolds seems like a reading of a script.
Not one of the better ones.
Lifetime all the way
blanche-223 April 2016
If "The Suicide Note" had actually been about suicide, it might have been a good movie to show to high school students, though these kids are in college.
Actually it's more of a whodunit with some red herrings, as a psych student tries to find out who killed her roommate. The roommate allegedly killed herself, leaving a note. First to come under suspicion is her boyfriend, with whom she had fought.
You'll figure out who did it in the first fifteen minutes.
I found the acting typically Lifetime, not great. These actors could have used more help from the director. They're young, and some of them probably acted as children, then as teens, and are transitioning into adult roles. Basically they learn to act in front of us.
The film merely touched on the reasons for young people committing suicide and didn't go very much in depth. Frankly I would have given it a different title.
Actually it's more of a whodunit with some red herrings, as a psych student tries to find out who killed her roommate. The roommate allegedly killed herself, leaving a note. First to come under suspicion is her boyfriend, with whom she had fought.
You'll figure out who did it in the first fifteen minutes.
I found the acting typically Lifetime, not great. These actors could have used more help from the director. They're young, and some of them probably acted as children, then as teens, and are transitioning into adult roles. Basically they learn to act in front of us.
The film merely touched on the reasons for young people committing suicide and didn't go very much in depth. Frankly I would have given it a different title.
Note to self
kosmasp4 April 2018
I wouldn't even say that all the actors involved are bad as someone else suggested, but the script is way to badly written. Dialog but also the "suspense" of it. Not that I think there is any - except maybe for the why. Though even that is so easy to see through. There is still no conviction for the act(s) and the confrontation at the end feels like a bad joke.
But if you've suffered through the whole thing, you'll probably will stay for the rest. Even an ending where you wonder why it's there if nothing happens ... it's like they wanted to fill in a couple more minutes. Completely unnecessary and does not do any favors to the movie - let alone to the viewers. There are thrillers and movies in general who deserve your attention - this is not one of them
But if you've suffered through the whole thing, you'll probably will stay for the rest. Even an ending where you wonder why it's there if nothing happens ... it's like they wanted to fill in a couple more minutes. Completely unnecessary and does not do any favors to the movie - let alone to the viewers. There are thrillers and movies in general who deserve your attention - this is not one of them
Typical Lifetime
SilentSweetie15 June 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I am warning in advance that this has spoilers.
This is as predictable, uninspired film. I guessed the killer from the start, and I suspect many others will also be able to do so. Brant Daugherty, though extremely handsome, gives a weak performance. He has a moment or two near the end where he's slightly interesting, but that's it. The lead actress is typical Lifetime variety, as is most of the cast. Her best friend, Irene, played by Lexi something or other, is a bit better, showing some spunk at least. Realism goes out the window, as is typical with these types of films- detectives seemingly dismiss and ignore things that might be important. The, SPOILER ALERT, death at the end, by way of a paintbrush? to the neck, is incredibly stupid, as is the fact the professor didn't seem disturbed to find the heroine near a dead body. Why would they instantly believe this girl, roommate of the dead girl, in a room with TWO dead bodies, is innocent? The girl's boyfriend was sleeping with her dead roommate, that alone would make her a suspect.
This is as predictable, uninspired film. I guessed the killer from the start, and I suspect many others will also be able to do so. Brant Daugherty, though extremely handsome, gives a weak performance. He has a moment or two near the end where he's slightly interesting, but that's it. The lead actress is typical Lifetime variety, as is most of the cast. Her best friend, Irene, played by Lexi something or other, is a bit better, showing some spunk at least. Realism goes out the window, as is typical with these types of films- detectives seemingly dismiss and ignore things that might be important. The, SPOILER ALERT, death at the end, by way of a paintbrush? to the neck, is incredibly stupid, as is the fact the professor didn't seem disturbed to find the heroine near a dead body. Why would they instantly believe this girl, roommate of the dead girl, in a room with TWO dead bodies, is innocent? The girl's boyfriend was sleeping with her dead roommate, that alone would make her a suspect.
waste of time
haroot_azarian5 August 2020
This is in my top 5 worst Marvista?LMN movies of all time. Terrible acting, terrible story/script. For starters since when do the police not collect all of the deceased belongings (including cellphone specially) even if the initial assessment is deemed as suicide? I could go on with all the cracks and holes in the script, but I would exceed my maximum characters limit!
Mediocre Lifetime Movie
rosetamburri11 March 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This is your average, run of the mill Lifetime movie. Would have been a much better ending if Molly actually turned out to be the killer and just set it up to look like Brady or Adam. It held my attention for the most part but was extremely predictable. Kirby Bliss Blanton is a good actress. She did a nice job. The young men in the movie were all extremely handsome and I'm surprised I've never seen them in anything after acting in this movie. Unfortunately I can't recommend this movie. I'm surprised Kirby Bliss Blanton hasn't really gone on and done anything further. She is a talented actress and I'd watch other movies she was in.
Needs some work..
vnssyndrome8911 August 2023
SUICIDE NOTE (TV Movie 2016)
BASIC PLOT: Molly White (Kirby Bliss Blanton) is finishing up her psychology degree, and looking forward to her summer internship, when the worst happens. Her roommate, Emma (Kirsten Ray Johnson), who has been fighting with her boyfriend, Adam (Stephen Colletti), appears to commit suicide. Molly does not believe she would have missed Emma's suicidal ideations. She's shared a room with Emma for quite awhile, and besides, she knows about suicide. She attempted it herself, when her parents were killed. She just doesn't believe it, and with the help of her best friend, Irene (Lexi Giovagnoli), she begins her own investigation. Adam appears to be the logical suspect, but she's catching those around her in many lies. Could it be Doug (Kyle Leatherberry), the barista, who lied about being close to Emma? Or maybe, it's Jasmine (Nthenya Ndunda), who was sleeping with Emma's boyfriend? There's also the mystery man Emma was cheating with, the cause of her violent fight with Adam, the night she died.
At the same time, Molly begins dreaming of Emma every night. She feels it's her own psyche warning her of the dangers lurking around her. Can she figure out who the real threat is before it's too late?
WHAT WORKS: *Brant Daugherty is the standout here, as Brady Farris. He's the only one who gives a believable performance.
*This movie has good cover art. So many of these TV movies don't, so it's definitely worth a mention.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *The delivery of the dialog seems forced throughout this movie. It's like they filmed the first run through rehearsal. I half expected the actors to have scripts in their hands. It's probably because the dialog is hollow, which makes the execution seem lacking. The story is there, but without a foundation, there's nothing to build on.
*NO ONE would leave the victim's phone where the potential killer could get at it, especially after the guy you suspect, gets into the dorm whenever he wants. You'd hide the phone. It's a giant mistake no one would make.
*NO COPS ARE THIS STUPID! I am so sick of seeing this plot hole again and again. The police would listen to the victim's friends about her state of mind, and that of her boyfriend. She had a volatile relationship, and was supposed to meet him that night. The suicide note is one line, and could mean anything. Cops also don't like being bullied by rich people. Some douche has his daddy's attorney make a phone call, and the cops would listen? That type of behavior would draw more attention to the douchy boyfriend, not away from him. There are so many work arounds for this problem, but having cops be this stupid, INSULTS THE AUDIENCE! Also, cops can NOT restrict someone's movements, or liberties, without a warrant. In other words, when cops say, "Don't leave town," it's just a suggestion.
*The main character that's killed is unneeded. If a death was needed, it should have been Jasmine (Nthenya Ndunda). She was an ancillary character, and her death would have fulfilled the desperation of the killer. It's just one more thing that's off-putting.
*Jake Helgren has written some very entertaining melodramas, (The Legend of Alice Flagg (2016) and Nightmare Nurse (2016)) and some real stinkers (Killer Dream Home (2020) and Stripped (2019)). This is somewhere in between. I don't get how The Legend of Alice Flagg (2016), which was also filmed in 2015, also in South Carolina, and also starring Lexi Giovagnoli, could be so good, and this is so mediocre.
*This movie has a terrible trailer. It doesn't tell you much about the movie, or the characters. I could have done better on my phone.
TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *I doubt if I'd recommend this movie. It's dialog is forced, the pacing plods along at a snails pace, overall, it's too banal, and too clichéd.
CLOSING NOTES: *This is a Made-For-TV movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.
*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.
BASIC PLOT: Molly White (Kirby Bliss Blanton) is finishing up her psychology degree, and looking forward to her summer internship, when the worst happens. Her roommate, Emma (Kirsten Ray Johnson), who has been fighting with her boyfriend, Adam (Stephen Colletti), appears to commit suicide. Molly does not believe she would have missed Emma's suicidal ideations. She's shared a room with Emma for quite awhile, and besides, she knows about suicide. She attempted it herself, when her parents were killed. She just doesn't believe it, and with the help of her best friend, Irene (Lexi Giovagnoli), she begins her own investigation. Adam appears to be the logical suspect, but she's catching those around her in many lies. Could it be Doug (Kyle Leatherberry), the barista, who lied about being close to Emma? Or maybe, it's Jasmine (Nthenya Ndunda), who was sleeping with Emma's boyfriend? There's also the mystery man Emma was cheating with, the cause of her violent fight with Adam, the night she died.
At the same time, Molly begins dreaming of Emma every night. She feels it's her own psyche warning her of the dangers lurking around her. Can she figure out who the real threat is before it's too late?
WHAT WORKS: *Brant Daugherty is the standout here, as Brady Farris. He's the only one who gives a believable performance.
*This movie has good cover art. So many of these TV movies don't, so it's definitely worth a mention.
WHAT DOESN'T WORK: *The delivery of the dialog seems forced throughout this movie. It's like they filmed the first run through rehearsal. I half expected the actors to have scripts in their hands. It's probably because the dialog is hollow, which makes the execution seem lacking. The story is there, but without a foundation, there's nothing to build on.
*NO ONE would leave the victim's phone where the potential killer could get at it, especially after the guy you suspect, gets into the dorm whenever he wants. You'd hide the phone. It's a giant mistake no one would make.
*NO COPS ARE THIS STUPID! I am so sick of seeing this plot hole again and again. The police would listen to the victim's friends about her state of mind, and that of her boyfriend. She had a volatile relationship, and was supposed to meet him that night. The suicide note is one line, and could mean anything. Cops also don't like being bullied by rich people. Some douche has his daddy's attorney make a phone call, and the cops would listen? That type of behavior would draw more attention to the douchy boyfriend, not away from him. There are so many work arounds for this problem, but having cops be this stupid, INSULTS THE AUDIENCE! Also, cops can NOT restrict someone's movements, or liberties, without a warrant. In other words, when cops say, "Don't leave town," it's just a suggestion.
*The main character that's killed is unneeded. If a death was needed, it should have been Jasmine (Nthenya Ndunda). She was an ancillary character, and her death would have fulfilled the desperation of the killer. It's just one more thing that's off-putting.
*Jake Helgren has written some very entertaining melodramas, (The Legend of Alice Flagg (2016) and Nightmare Nurse (2016)) and some real stinkers (Killer Dream Home (2020) and Stripped (2019)). This is somewhere in between. I don't get how The Legend of Alice Flagg (2016), which was also filmed in 2015, also in South Carolina, and also starring Lexi Giovagnoli, could be so good, and this is so mediocre.
*This movie has a terrible trailer. It doesn't tell you much about the movie, or the characters. I could have done better on my phone.
TO RECOMMEND, OR NOT TO RECOMMEND, THAT IS THE QUESTION: *I doubt if I'd recommend this movie. It's dialog is forced, the pacing plods along at a snails pace, overall, it's too banal, and too clichéd.
CLOSING NOTES: *This is a Made-For-TV movie, please keep that in mind before you watch\rate it. TV movies have a much lower budget, and so your expectations should be adjusted.
*I have no connection to the film, or production in ANY way. I am just an honest viewer, who wishes for more straight forward reviews. Hope I helped you out.
Paging Dr. Freud!!! Pop Psychology Overkill!!!
lavatch2 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"The Suicide Note" is filled with characters performing psychoanalysis on each other. The story focuses on a college psychology major who once made an attempt on her life after the death of her parents in a gas fire. But Molly White now faces another test after her friend, Emma Dunlap, commits suicide. Or, did she? That is the dilemma that needs to be analyzed by the budding psychologist.
There were far too many dream sequences where the lights are dark and music is eerie and Molly wakes up to bright sunlight after her dream. She then painstakingly analyzes her dreams, even relying on her professor for guidance in the interpretive process.
While Freud would be proud, viewers of this film are put off by the psychobabble. Molly's friends are psych majors as well, so there is a steady stream of discussions of the workings of the human mind. Even Molly's boyfriend Brady has his paintings dissected with the deep Freudian implications.
As the plot thickens with the murder of Mollie's bestie, Irene, the dormitory environment becomes depressing. There is no security in the building and never an eyewitness to identify the intruders who steal, scare, and kill.
The film opened with a classroom discussion of free will. But the film portrays characters being dragged down in a soul-crunching determinism. Molly gets enmeshed in the Hamlet syndrome, believing it is her task in life to discover and avenge the death of her roommate. But, like Hamlet, she often does more harm than good.
The actress playing Molly turned in a credible performance, reacting believably to some outrageous lines of dialogue, such as the advice given by the professor: "Don't be afraid of your subconscious!" In this unpleasant film experience, the viewer comes away terrified of the subconscious and other psychological terminology used by a set of extremely troubled characters.
There were far too many dream sequences where the lights are dark and music is eerie and Molly wakes up to bright sunlight after her dream. She then painstakingly analyzes her dreams, even relying on her professor for guidance in the interpretive process.
While Freud would be proud, viewers of this film are put off by the psychobabble. Molly's friends are psych majors as well, so there is a steady stream of discussions of the workings of the human mind. Even Molly's boyfriend Brady has his paintings dissected with the deep Freudian implications.
As the plot thickens with the murder of Mollie's bestie, Irene, the dormitory environment becomes depressing. There is no security in the building and never an eyewitness to identify the intruders who steal, scare, and kill.
The film opened with a classroom discussion of free will. But the film portrays characters being dragged down in a soul-crunching determinism. Molly gets enmeshed in the Hamlet syndrome, believing it is her task in life to discover and avenge the death of her roommate. But, like Hamlet, she often does more harm than good.
The actress playing Molly turned in a credible performance, reacting believably to some outrageous lines of dialogue, such as the advice given by the professor: "Don't be afraid of your subconscious!" In this unpleasant film experience, the viewer comes away terrified of the subconscious and other psychological terminology used by a set of extremely troubled characters.
Interesting
brookenichole-9805414 August 2020
For some reason I can guess who the bad guy is the moment their character shows up. And not surprisingly I correctly guessed who it was right when the person came on.
It's an alright movie. There were parts I enjoyed, like the sub conscious dreams Molly kept having. I love how they kept telling her pieces of the puzzle but she really couldn't guess it. I think the movie could have been way better and had more psychology bits in between.
It was a fun watch but it would probably be a one time thing.
****
edwagreen1 March 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This was definitely psychology at its best as it deals with a psychologist student about to graduate when her roommate supposedly commits suicide and leaves a suicide note.
The death deeply affects her and she begins to dig deep into the situation. Naturally, the boyfriend of the deceased becomes her major focus as he had broken up with her.
This death affects her greatly; especially, since she herself had attempted suicide some time before when her parents were killed.
The use of her nightmares makes the film a gripping experience. Wait until you see what she uncovers as another death occurs.
Never underestimate the power of an artist.
The death deeply affects her and she begins to dig deep into the situation. Naturally, the boyfriend of the deceased becomes her major focus as he had broken up with her.
This death affects her greatly; especially, since she herself had attempted suicide some time before when her parents were killed.
The use of her nightmares makes the film a gripping experience. Wait until you see what she uncovers as another death occurs.
Never underestimate the power of an artist.
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