Dying for the Crown

Isabelle Wagner agrees to go to her twentieth high school reunion with her teenage daughter, Sierra, hoping for a brief trip down memory lane. What she gets is a blast from the past in the form of Andrea Turner, a former rival who seems to have changed but quickly grows close to Isabelle and Sierra. At first Andrea's charm opens doors, but odd behaviors and small betrayals begin to pile up, and Isabelle's carefully rebuilt life starts to wobble. The film follows how old grudges and hidden motives complicate relationships and trust, with tension building as Isabelle tries to protect her daughter while sorting truth from manipulation.

Directed by Sam Irvin, the 2018 TV thriller was created by Lindsay Hartley and Jason-Shane Scott and stars April Bowlby, Kim Director, Abbie Gayle, Mike Faiola, and James J. Fuertes. It was produced for television and released during the same year.

As a television production, it did not receive a theatrical box office release, so there are no conventional gross figures to report. Its viewership would be measured by broadcast and streaming metrics rather than ticket sales.

The film did not generate a large cultural footprint, but it found an audience among viewers who enjoy reunion-based suspense and TV thrillers led by familiar television actors. Fans of the cast, particularly April Bowlby, have pointed to the movie when discussing actors who move between comedy and darker material.

Critical and audience response was mixed to negative, with an average user score of about 4.4 out of 10 from a small number of votes. Reviewers and viewers often point to the familiar premise and predictable beats, while noting solid performances that keep scenes watchable. Main themes include the persistence of past rivalries, the complexities of motherhood under pressure, and the ways interpersonal manipulation can unsettle a family.