I first saw this as a Lifetime Movie Network premiere, so naturally, I was expecting a cheesy, guilty pleasure. Much to my surprise, it has a very well developed plot, and is relatable in the way it depicts how easily influenced and entranced high schoolers can become with infatuation. After renting it from Amazon Prime, I found myself more drawn to the characters than anything, gaining an understanding of all perspectives of their complicated emotional states. From the very first scene, there are subtle nuances that come into play as part of character development as the story is crafted. Somewhat based on actual events from writer Shelley Gillen's son, I would recommend this for a Friday night stay in flick.

After the funeral of her boyfriend, sexy 17-year-old Jessica Lowndes (as Vanessa Lynn Redlann) is moved to another foster home. She enrolls in &quot;Fairview Heights High School&quot; and decides to seduce cute track athlete Grant Gustin (as Christopher &quot;Chris&quot; Stewart). Depressed about his parents&#39; separation and recent break-up with his cheerleader girlfriend, Mr. Gustin is an easy conquest. He skips classes and practice to be with Ms. Lowndes. Gustin&#39;s mother Annabeth Gish (as Madeleine &quot;Maddie&quot; Stewart) is concerned about her young son&#39;s behavior. Investigating the situation, Ms. Gish makes some startling discoveries...<br/><br/>&quot;A Mother&#39;s Nightmare&quot; is the first part of a series of &quot;Nightmare&quot; movies from director/cinematographer Vic Sarin and writer Shelley Gillen. The stories are unrelated. This Lifetime TV Movie was &quot;Inspired by True Events,&quot; according to the opening. If the character really exists, hopefully someone will see this on television and contact authorities because the ending suggests an additional incident may be imminent. Lowndes and Gustin are old for the roles, but pull them off. Her maturity makes seduction more believable. He has a cool hairstyle and cornered eyebrows. Gish should have been given a stronger confidante or lover.<br/><br/>***** A Mother&#39;s Nightmare (9/29/12) Vic Sarin ~ Jessica Lowndes, Grant Gustin, Annabeth Gish, Sebastian Spence

This is by far the absolute best movie made on Lifetime, along with its sequel &quot;A Father&#39;s Nightmare&quot;. However, this movie went above and beyond my expectations. <br/><br/>The story is heart-wrenching, emotional, terrifying, and powerful. The girl who seduces Chris and almost succeeds in having him commit suicide is demented and horrifying, and I felt for Annabeth Gish&#39;s character as she thought she had just lost her son.<br/><br/>Very well acted too. Great cast!