When the Bough Breaks (1994)

On July, 4th in Houston, a teenager finds a human hand in the sewer. Captain Swaggert is investigating the discovery of seven hands over several years, each one precisely severed and with a... See full summary »

Director:

Michael Cohn

Writer:

Michael Cohn

Stars:

Ally Walker, Martin Sheen, Ron Perlman

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ally Walker	...	Special Investigator Audrey Macleah
Martin Sheen	...	Captain Swaggert
Ron Perlman	...	Dr. Douglas Eben
Tara Subkoff	...	Jordan Thomas / Jennifer Lynn Eben
Robert Knepper	...	Lt. Jimmy Creedmore
Scott Lawrence	...	Sergeant Footman
John P. Connolly	...	Sergeant Belvin
Dick Welsbacher	...	Coroner Vince Hess
James Medina	...	Sergeant Delarand (as Jimmy Medina)
Ron Recasner	...	Dr. Singer
Juan Antonio Devoto	...	Danny
Christopher Doyle	...	Howard Speckett
Mark Daneri	...	Detective Sam
Michael Raysses	...	Sonar Technician
Taylor Brock	...	Anchor

Storyline

On July, 4th in Houston, a teenager finds a human hand in the sewer. Captain Swaggert is investigating the discovery of seven hands over several years, each one precisely severed and with a number tattooed on the palm, but as yet has no leads. The highly qualified Special Investigator, Audrey Macleah, is assigned to join the team and give support to the investigation. When the police department receives a call from a medical doctor in an institution, Audrey visits him. There, the doctor introduces the autistic boy Jordan Thomas to her, disclosing seven hands that the boy had drawn on the wall. Audrey dedicates her attention to Jordan and discovers that he is connected to the serial-killer.

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Plot Keywords:

serial killer | scar | kidnapping | severed hand | playground | 

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Taglines:

Can a child's telepathic mind help find a serial killer?

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 May 1994 (South Korea)

Also Known As:

Two Rivers

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Osmosis, Osmosis Productions Inc., Prism Entertainment Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Tara Subkoff's debut role.

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Quotes

Audrey Macleah: Well, it seems to me that you don't have a crime scene. And, you don't have any identifiable remains unless you make some assumptions. Now, in order to go forward and profile a suspect, you need a victimology. I mean, without that as a base you really don't have anything, do you?

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Connections

Followed by Perfect Prey (1998)

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Soundtracks

"TWO MARYS"
Performed by Brave Combo
Courtesy of Rounder Records

User Reviews

Solid Thriller

On July, 4th in Houston, a teenager finds a human hand in the sewer. Captain Swaggert (Martin Sheen) is investigating the discovery of seven hands, each one precisely severed and with a number tattooed on the palm, along many years but without any lead. The highly qualified Special Investigator Audrey Macleah (Ally Walker) is assigned to join the team and give support to the investigation. When the police department receives a call from a medical doctor in an institution, Audrey visits him and the doctor introduces the autistic boy Jordan Thomas (Tara Subkoff) to her, disclosing seven hands that the boy had drawn on the wall. Audrey dedicates her attention to Jordan and discovers that he is connected to the serial-killer.

"When the Bough Breaks" is a surprisingly solid thriller, with a well developed dark story and a good conclusion. Ally Walker has a great performance in the role of a professional with many specializations, but also with a trauma from her childhood. Tara Subkoff is also amazing with her double-role. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Assassinatos Macabros" ("Macabre Murders")