You Can't Take My Daughter (2020 TV Movie) User Reviews

"Her Name is Maddy"

[lavatch · 7/10 · 17 July 2021]

"You Can't Take My Daughter" was inspired by a true story. Amy Thompson is raped by a deranged narcissist, then finds herself mired in the nightmare of a "medieval" legal code. Her heroic struggle for justice and for change in the law was motivated by the love of her daughter, who was the product of the rape. When Amy's insensitive mother Suzanne urges her to terminate the pregnancy, Amy simply replies, "Her name is Maddy."

It is not until the final stretch of the film that Amy finally discovers a couple of allies in her pursuit of justice. Bob Moss is an attorney who volunteers his investigative skills to learn more about Amy's nemesis, Demitry. The martial arts expert McDevitt assists Amy both in self-defense skills and his background in the law to learn more about Demitry's past.

While the performances were first-rate, the reluctance of the police and the district attorney to vigorously prosecute Dmitry lacked credibility in the twenty-first century. And the introduction of McDevitt late in the film had resonances of "The Karate Kid" when little Maddy joined the martial arts school.

Bob Moss quoted JFK with a meaningful passage about social change: "Change is the law of life and those who only look to the past or the present are certain to miss the future." In this case, Amy Thompson was a pathfinder for the future in changing the law to ensure basic human rights for women.

Negative reviewers comments haven't aged well

[JayHysterio · 5/10 · 29 August 2022]

With states now limiting if not outright stripping women's abortion rights the argument of choosing to abort a rape child is rather murky. I think this film is extremely relevant today as it points out complicated issues faced by women who have had rights altered without consideration.

Can't give the film a really high mark because it descends into some rather unlikely scenarios and a sadly horrible appearance by Kirstie Alley who plays something of a clueless, stereotyped character that really subtracts from the plot.

It's a subject that is now relevant however the movie could've handled it much more intelligently.

This was good for a tv movie

[xjade_robertsx · 7/10 · 28 March 2023]

I actually really enjoyed this film. Most tv movies have got worse by the years and I can't sit through them but this one had me watching was abit different to the boring tv thriller they normally show that is always a killer nanny of some sort.

The acting was good aswell wasn't cheesy at all and quite sad in parts. Basically a women trying her hardest to win a case against some narcissistic man who has assaulted her and begins to stalk her in a new city. Police don't seem much help towards her or even care to much about the case.

It's definitely worth a watch If your in to thriller tv movies.

Laughable

[LaverneandShirleysucks · 1/10 · 3 May 2022]

This was a laughably bad movie. The premise of choosing to keep a rape baby is interesting, but the execution here was terrible. The lead couldn't act or show any emotion, especially for someone who was raped and her wooden acting ruined an already bad film.

Then there's the cartoonish mother played by Kirstie Alley who's purpose apparently seemed to be comic relief, which didn't fit in the film considering the seriousness of the subject matter. All her scenes should've been left on the cutting room floor.

Then there's the sudden 7 year jump in time to when the baby is now a school aged girl and the rapist files for custody of her. By that point I just half watched because I couldn't take any more of this laughable absurdity.

And as another reviewer mentions, she's stalked, threatened and attacked in her home twice by this rapey psycho nutcase yet refuses to arm herself, get a security system, get a gun, get pepper spray, carry a knife. Record him on her phone when he approaches her. Heck, why not move?... Instead she just makes up excuse after excuse as to why she can't or refuses to do any of it! It's a silly, ridiculous, badly acted, unrealistic movie. I laughed throughout at how absurd it was so at least I was entertained.

Not factual

[larry-32414 · 1/10 · 2 May 2021]

First, she would NEVER be interviewed by the police in her house after stating she was raped. She would have been immediately taken to a hospital, examined, then interviewed by detectives. The entire movie is full of non factual events. If you want to do a service to women that are raped then present factual events, and show how the Courts and prosecutors refuse to proceed with these cases instead of reducing charges so they can keep their conviction rates.

A Lifetime winner

[pmtelefon · 8/10 · 16 February 2020]

Sometimes a Lifetime movie delivers a lot more than I expected. That is the case with "You Can't Take My Daughter". This movie was an edge-of-your-seat experience. It's unbelievable that this story is true. I was not familiar with the real story so I had no idea what the rapist was going to do next. "You Can't Take My Daughter" is a beautifully acted movie, especially by Lyndsy Fonseca. Fonseca does a terrific job. "You Can't Take My Daughter" is a movie I'll be watching again.

Bad acting spoils the message

[phd_travel · 2/10 · 21 February 2020]

I'm a fan of Lyndsy Fonseca but she didn't act well here. The way she delivered her lines sounded trite and silly for the subject matter. Kirstie Allie seemed like a caricature of a bad mom and she spoiled the scenes she was in.

The handling of the rape wasn't great. Showed how bad the system was but it seemed too much. The point was to highlight the ability of rapists to be involved in the lives of their children produced by rape. And it's a worthy topic but the handling was amateurish.

Not great.

Far better than expected

[carnstabba-55672 · 8/10 · 18 March 2022]

Why this got low scores from viewers I have no clue. It was realistic, kept me riveted and well worth watching. After 2 years of seeing mindless crap on afternoon TV when us elderly have had nothing else to watch how refreshing to have something really good. More please.

Incredibly stupid

[ginjaninja-43907 · 1/10 · 3 November 2020]

I watched this because if my wife and I had to put my headphones on and watch something else on my phone. This is for low intelligent bored people who enjoy corny unrealistic soap opera like b movies. If you enjoy soap operas and corny nonsense then have at it. This insulted my intelligence and the acting was abhorrent

Oh my - that was really bad

[psxexperten · 1/10 · 17 March 2021]

This movie is one of the worst directed, worst written, and worst acted movie I have seen in my life. The plots are just ridiculous and stupid. Don't waste your time. The reviews/ratings are littered with YouTube follower fakers giving it 10s.

Ridiculous!

[jimcarter1959 · 1/10 · 17 February 2020]

I don't know if this is true or somewhat true or what, but it's ridiculous. The central character is like a throwback to the 1950s. She desperately wants to have a rape baby? The "father" is obviously psychotic, but she perseveres in her goal to bear a child conceived by a violent, criminal act. It's sick! She's so weak it makes me want to vomit. If the judicial system is that impotent, then arm yourself with something. Just waiting around for attack after attack is ludicrous!

Great acting

[lauraly-81582 · 10/10 · 17 February 2020]

Lifetime needs to make more movies like this. Great acting and great story. Not "cheesy" or bad actors like so many of their other movies. It's hard to believe that this actually happened. Definitely worth watching!

Makes not a lot of sense

[r-35688 · 4/10 · 10 January 2021]

She wants to keep a baby created in a rape because this makes her want to live again? Okay, why not. But the guy attacks her repeatedly and she does nothing against it - taking self defense courses, get at least a pepper spray, anything... nope, she is always surprised again when he is showing up as if this wasn't predictable. And the cop who says to her she doesn't need a rape kit? As a lawyer she would definitively know better than that.

To jimcarter1959

[kparkslpn · 10/10 · 25 May 2020]

This story is very true unfortunately. If you had bothered to actually WATCH the movie you would have seen where she was told she was not supposed to be able to conceive a child. Also there are many women who just can't go through with an abortion whether it be religious reasons or personal convictions. Maybe she felt the baby is half her and she couldn't imagine if she were never able to conceive again and she killed the only chance she ever had. No matter what her reasons were, she did choose to keep the baby, not your place to judge. Not a 1950's choice either as they surely would have murdered the unborn baby. She also did what she could to protect herself by moving away from him and taking private self defense classes. So if you don't like it that's fine. Just don't pretend you're God Almighty and only your opinion makes sense or matters.

Absolutely hilarious

[bettestreep · 1/10 · 7 July 2022]

This is one of those "so bad it's funny" films.

Kirsty Alley continues her descent into being one of the worst actresses in history.

Her performances in Cheers were obviously the result of great writing and directing because she would never have won all those TV awards without them.

But what do you expect from someone who calls psychiatrists whack jobs but loves cults like Scientology and the MAGAts.

Not Bad

[brookenichole-98054 · 5/10 · 16 December 2020]

For a Lifetime movie, this wasn't bad. The story is interesting and the acting is really good. And to top it all off it is a true story. If you like true stories and an interesting concept, then this is it.

Fantastic movie

[sharonclifford-35223 · 10/10 · 18 February 2020]

The story this movie told was significant. Strength through heartache and a chance to change the world. We felt like we were at the theater, rather than at home, watching the story unfold. The writing was wonderful, and the lead actress showed fierce resolve and vulnerability in a believable way.

William and Sharon Clifford

Amazing

[advovateforhealth · 10/10 · 20 February 2020]

This movie was just amazing. Love the Actress and really showed the justice system too. As its personal & advocate for many. It never ceases to amaze me why our justice system is so hard on sexual assault & abuse. GREAT movie in every way. Really!!!!

Compelling, emotionally draining, brilliant & shocking.

[david-161-28390 · 10/10 · 1 April 2020]

One of the top 10 films I have ever seen. I often find myself frustrated at bad pacing (usually too slow) with many movies - not this one. Lyndsy Fonseca is perfect. It would have been so predictable for the lead actress to over-act to dramatise the situation, and thankfully that trap was not fallen into. The surprise for me, was not that the insanity of American law as it pertains to rape and custody, but the acting of Kirstie Alley - the mother. Wow!

Interesting

[wcumom1 · 8/10 · 17 February 2020]

A different turn on a rape. Well acted, I'm so used the Kristie Alley playing someone nice, this is a turn for her for sure. Good movie, not one i could watch more than once, but good.

Powerful Eye Opener to Our Justice System

[AngelHonesty · 8/10 · 12 November 2023]

Most Lifetime movies are hit and misses. I found this one a hit. I think the most important thing to keep in mind is 1) the general subject matter of the movie is based on a True story. And 2) not all the details in the film are accurate. For example the way the rape was handled by the police is not how rape cases are handled... but I think its important to not get caught up on the small facts that are incorrect. The larger message of the movie is far more important and eye opening. I had no idea that a rapist could have custody of a child they concieved during a rape until I watched this movie. Because of Analyn Megison (this movies is based on her) it allowed laws to finally be made to protect these woman.

I really liked the cast in the movie. As always Lysndsy Fonseca is brilliant and gorgeous. She knows how to draw out emotion. Kristie Alley will always be a favourite of mine. Her role was small, but still nice to see her. It's a very simple story, but a powerful one. It's not boring but instead keeps the viewer drawn in for more. The over all message is a good eye-opener to how much our system is flawed.