Bump in the Night (1991)

Bump in the Night Poster

Martha "Red" Tierney used to be a hot-shot reporter, but that was before alcohol took over her life. One morning Martha's son, Jonathan, leaves for school, stopping first to meet his father for breakfast. But Jonathan never meets his dad. Instead, he is picked up by Lawrence, a pedophile who has been watching him. Now Martha must overcome her alcoholism and her bitterness towards her ex-husband and use her old investigative skills to find her son before it's too late.

Summaries
"Bump in the Night" is a gripping psycho-thriller movie directed by Karen Arthur and aired in 1991. The story focuses on the cooling journey of a mom's desperate search for her missing daughter, masterfully blending together elements of suspense, psychological chaos, and efforts to unveil a chilling truth.

Setting and Characters
Set in the suburban landscapes of America, the film begins with the lead character, Martha Tierney (played by Meredith Baxter). Martha is a caring and caring mom living a tranquil life with her two kids - Abby and Jill Tierney. The character of Abby is represented by Shawnee Smith, who carried out commendably, making the character's injury concrete to audiences.

Story
One morning, Martha drops Abby at her high school but she never returns home. An accountable and caring mother, Martha is quickly filled with dread about her missing child. She quickly informs the authorities but they follow standard protocols of waiting on 24 hours before stating an individual officially missing. This leaves Martha disappointed and frightened, however she is eventually required to wait.

The Search Begins
Not one to sit idly, Martha begins her investigation to find Abby. She reveals a side of the town that she never ever understood existed, filled with dark tricks and unsavory characters. As she continues the search, her issues magnify into anger and despair against a system that seems unresponsive and ineffective.

Meanwhile, the public turns against her and even the cops think about Martha a neglectful mother. Yet no amount of allegations dampen Martha's spirit to find her daughter. She stays dogged, persistently challenging the faulty justice system and societal norms.

Climax
After dealing with numerous difficulties, Martha lastly locates her daughter. Abby had actually been abducted by a psychopath who completely subjected her to emotional and physical abuse. Confronting the tormentor, Martha manages to totally free Abby and brings her home. Despite handling major trauma, Abby gradually starts her journey towards recovery under Martha's cautious and unfaltering assistance.

Critique
As a movie, "Bump in the Night" showcases a mom's genuine love and undeviating determination in the face of misfortune. Meredith Baxter excelled in her role as Martha Tierney, portraying her raw emotions and strength convincingly.

Conclusion

"Bump in the Night" is a gripping tale of a lady who declines to give up, in spite of dealing with multiple roadblocks. It serves as an effective commentary on the complicated issues dealt with by victims and their families, while highlighting the inherent defects in police systems. The film compellingly juxtaposes these bigger social issues versus the intimate battle of a mother and child and their journey back to normality after a horrific ordeal. It is a poignant exploration of durability, guts, and the invincible power of a mom's love.

Top Cast

  • Meredith Baxter (small)
    Meredith Baxter
    Martha Tierney (as Meredith Baxter-Birney
  • Christopher Reeve (small)
    Christopher Reeve
    Lawrence Muller
  • Wings Hauser (small)
    Wings Hauser
    Patrick Tierney
  • Richard Bradford (small)
    Richard Bradford
    Sgt. Pete Mooney
  • Geraldine Fitzgerald (small)
    Geraldine Fitzgerald
    Mrs. Beauchamps
  • Shirley Knight (small)
    Shirley Knight
    Katie Leonard
  • Terrence Mann (small)
    Terrence Mann
    Ben Nicolaides
  • Richard Joseph Paul (small)
    Richard Joseph Paul
    Jeff Donner
  • Anne Twomey (small)
    Anne Twomey
    Sarah Jennings (as Ann Twomey)
  • Leslie Gail
    Cheryl Mason
  • Travis Swords
    Barry Weller