| Genre: | Crime thriller |
| Director: | Craig R. Baxley |
| Music: | Gary Chang |
| Country: | United States |
| Language: | English |
| Producer: | Judy Cairo |
| Cinematography: | João Fernandes |
| Editor: | Sonny Baskin |
| Company: | Polone/Winer Productions |
| Network: | NBC |
| Runtime: | 96 minutes |
Twisted Desire is a 1996 American crime thriller television film directed by Craig R. Baxley and written by twin brothers Carey and Chad Hayes. It stars Melissa Joan Hart, with real-life domestic partners Daniel Baldwin and Isabella Hoffman. The movie also stars Meadow Sisto, David Lascher, and R&B/pop star Jeremy Jordan. It aired on May 13, 1996, on NBC.[1]
The film is presented as based on real events:[2] [3] [4] the 1990 murders of the parents of 14-year-old Jessica Wiseman. Jessica had her 17-year-old boyfriend, Douglas Christopher Thomas, shoot and kill her parents. Thomas was executed in 2000, when the death penalty for juveniles was still a legal punishment.[5] [6]
Repressed teenager Jennifer Stanton meets Nick Ryan at a gas station and soon forms a close relationship with him, which she keeps secret from her parents. Nick has a reputation for having spent time in jail on an assault charge. When Jennifer's parents catch them in bed together and chase Nick out of the house, Jennifer continues dating Nick secretly. Jennifer is grounded for the rest of the school year.
Nick visits Jennifer's house, and proclaims his love for her. He also states what he thinks of the harsh manner in which Jennifer's father, William, treats her. William threatens to turn Nick in for statutory rape, and to "kick his ass" if he doesn't get lost. The next morning, William finds his car vandalized and contacts the police. Nick is questioned, but denies knowledge of the incident.
Jennifer convinces Nick to get his grandfather's pistol and kill her parents. While he plans out the murder, Jennifer tells her friends at school that she and Nick have broken up. She also presents herself to William and Susan as their idea of a model teenager. William and Susan let their daughter go for once to a slumber party.
After the killings, Jennifer moves into her grandmother's house and rekindles her relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Brad. She calls the police anonymously with information that leads to their discovery of the gun. With Nick in custody, the case seems to be closed. However, Detective Daniels suspects that Jennifer knows more regarding this case than she let on during police interrogation. When confronted, Jennifer claims that Nick was angry at her parents for not letting him see her, thereby explaining Nick's motive. Meanwhile, Jennifer's best friend Karen Winkler finds her diary; it reveals how Jennifer used Nick to do away with her parents so that she could have Brad.
Karen visits Nick in jail, and tells him how he's been set up by Jennifer. When he confronts Jennifer about it, she blames Nick entirely for the murders. Upset, he admits to the police that he killed William and Susan, but that it was Jennifer's idea. Karen tries and fails to find evidence of Jennifer's involvement. When Jennifer finds out about Karen's investigation, she threatens to implicate Karen in the murders.
At Nick's murder trial, Jennifer falsely testifies that Nick harassed her. Eventually, a wired Brad manipulates Jennifer into admitting responsibility for her parents' deaths and the police arrest her.
An epilogue reveals that Jennifer Stanton was tried as a juvenile, while Nick Ryan is still in prison.
Variety found that "Production is handsome and homey, and designer Phillip M. Leonard has infused a comfortable atmosphere with L.A. locales to back the telepic's edgy story. Joao R. Fernandes' lensing, Sonny Baskin's surefire editing are pluses; Gary Chang's bizarre title music jars — probably intentionally. Telefilm's a good romp for kids mulling doing away with their parents — or at least it's a good warning."[7]
A review at The Movie Scene stated it was a "pleasant surprise as for a mid 90s TV movie based on a true story it is far more entertaining than the norm."[8]
Hart's performance was noted by various reviewers.[9]