The Family That Preys (2008)

51% of critics liked it
(41 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(37,369 ratings)

Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates star in writer/director Tyler Perry's family drama about an upper-crust family and their working-class counterparts, who discover that scandal knows no social boundaries. Charlotte Cartwright (Bates) and Alice Pratt (Woodard) may be from different sides of the tracks,… More Alfre Woodard and Kathy Bates star in writer/director Tyler Perry's family drama about an upper-crust family and their working-class counterparts, who discover that scandal knows no social boundaries. Charlotte Cartwright (Bates) and Alice Pratt (Woodard) may be from different sides of the tracks, yet over the years they've managed to nurture a strong and healthy friendship. That friendship is put to the ultimate test, however, when their adult children begin to act out in ways that neither parent ever saw coming. Alice's daughter Andrea (Sanaa Lathan) is married to a trusting husband named Chris (Rockmond Dunbar), but lately she's been betraying that trust by sleeping with her boss, William (Cole Hauser), who just so happens to be Charlotte's son. William is married to Jillian (KaDee Strickland), and in addition to being unfaithful, he's also scheming to take over the role of COO at his mother's lucrative construction firm. Meanwhile, Alice's other daughter, Pam (Taraji P. Henson), and her husband, Ben (Perry), a faithful family man and construction worker, have both recognized that their family has strayed from the course of righteousness, and become determined to help their loved ones back on the right path. When paternity secrets, shady double dealings, and a series of other scandals become too much for Charlotte and Alice to take, the two women set out on a cross-country trip in order to clear their heads and devise a plan for saving their families. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 51 min.
Directed By: Tyler Perry
Written By: Tyler Perry
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Sep 12, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Jan 13, 2008
Studio: Lionsgate

Critic Reviews

Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel
The Family that Preys shows grand advances in the filmmaking education of playwright-turned-filmmaker Tyler Perry. It's also his soapiest film yet, an overwrought melodrama of sibling rivalry, infidelity, family business power plays and terminal illness.
Neely Tucker, Washington Post
By far the best thing about the enterprise is Woodard. If she's not in this thing, I think it goes kaput.
Bob Baker, Los Angeles Times
The film takes off when Woodard's and Bates' characters go on a Thelma & Louise-style road trip.
Ty Burr, Boston Globe
The movie plays almost exactly like four daily soap episodes stitched together.
Gregory Kirschling, Entertainment Weekly
As usual, the villains are very bad, and the good guys are very noble -- until they get mad and clock their wives.
Stephen Farber, Hollywood Reporter
It's hard to resist the movie's mixture of soap opera, humor and heart-filled homilies.
Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Whatever its other sins, the movie cannot be accused of wanting for ambition or scope.
William Goss, Cinematical
Exactly the kind of preachy, pandering, tone-shifting, gospel-laced soap opera that [Perry has] served up time and time again to his dedicated audience.
Prairie Miller, NewsBlaze
Tyler Perry's trademark sitcomish sermonizing has lightened up a bit here to explore hot topic race and class issues, but his 'family values is the best revenge' anthem, is awash as usual in sudsy mayhem.
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
A pat cautionary tale which manages to push the right emotional buttons every time. That's the magic of the Tyler Perry genre.
Austin Kennedy, Sin Magazine
I appreciate what Perry is trying to do with his films, and it's nice to see an urban film that isn't a "Gangsta Picture", but he needs to tone down the soap opera qualities and let his stories unfold naturally.
Larry Ratliff, San Antonio Express-News
(Tyler) Perry, a cinematic one-man band who wrote the script, produces, directs and plays the role of a decent husband and construction worker, is still growing as a filmmaker.
Bill Gibron, Filmcritic.com
To call The Family That Preys a transitional effort would be accurate and fair
Nell Minow, Beliefnet
It has Tyler Perry's trademark trio: sincerity, spirituality, and story. And if he passes on that other "s" -- subtlety -- that's all right.
Chuck Wilson, L.A. Weekly
This snail-paced film might as well take place in the 1950s, since it seems to have been inspired by one those Hollywood melodramas in which one company employs the entire town, and the only places free of corruption are the church and the local diner.
Jackie K. Cooper, jackiekcooper.com
A simple tale of good versus evil that also delivers solid acting and an enjoyable script
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
The closest Perry has come to making something that looks like it belongs on a movie screen and not on a TV set or on the wall of a church basement.
Linda Cook, Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)
Well, GOod for Ty,ler Perry. He has invented his own genre of movie.
Eric D. Snider, EricDSnider.com
Perry may not be dealing with race issues, but he still writes everything in black-and-white.
Jim Slotek, Jam! Movies
When he's not distracted trying to accessorize dresses, Tyler Perry can write a decent enough soap opera.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan, Taraji P. Henson, Cole Hauser, Rockmond Dunbar, Kadee Strickland, Tyler Perry, Robin Givens, Kaira Whitehead, Damien Leake Director: Tyler Perry Summary: Tyler Perry writes, directs and co-stars in this poignant dramedy centered… More
Cast: Kathy Bates, Alfre Woodard, Sanaa Lathan, Taraji P. Henson, Cole Hauser, Rockmond Dunbar, Kadee Strickland, Tyler Perry, Robin Givens, Kaira Whitehead, Damien Leake Director: Tyler Perry Summary: Tyler Perry writes, directs and co-stars in this poignant dramedy centered on a pair of friends -- wealthy socialite Charlotte (Kathy Bates) and working-class Alice (Alfre Woodard) -- whose families stand to be ripped apart by greed and scandal. To prevent the collapse and save their families, the two mothers take a road trip in a vintage turquoise convertible that carries them both beyond their wildest expectations. My Thoughts: "I really liked this one. It's much better then the last film of his I saw. Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard were just so great together. You believed these two had been besties for forever. That tender moment in the motel room between Alice and Charlotte was heart breaking. I definitely shedded some tear's in that scene and in a couple of other's. I might be the only one, but I highly doubt it, but I wanted to jump through the screen and smack Andrea. The way she presented herself and how she talked to other's was just so distasteful. I completely understand why Pam is the way she is with her. I couldn't stand by and let one of my sister's disrespect my mother like that either. Any how, great little movie, great acting by all , and a bit of a spiritual one too. This one is different from his other films, perhaps that is the reason I liked it so much. So if you like his films you should enjoy this one, even if it's not similar to the other's he's made."
Cynthia S

Put Kathy Bates and Alfre Woodard in a movie together and how can you go wrong?? Can't in my opinion. This is a really good drama. Tyler Perry really seems to have a gift in creating entertaining and memorable movies. This is one of them.
Wahida K

Too much Family Drama.
Dannielle A

I wasn't a big fan of this one although it played out really well so it gets 3 stars for the great acting, directing, and script even if I didn't enjoy the storyline. The story is filled with themes of friendship, family, extramarital affairs, secrets, lies, manipulation,… More
I wasn't a big fan of this one although it played out really well so it gets 3 stars for the great acting, directing, and script even if I didn't enjoy the storyline. The story is filled with themes of friendship, family, extramarital affairs, secrets, lies, manipulation, marriage, and the worship of money. In the end, the ones who are loyal and loving prosper and those who screwed up their loved one's lives get what they deserve. I love happy endings!
Fascade F

I saw it...it was good. Full of surprises that everyone got and deserved. All of the characters played their parts exceptionally well for you to believe the intensity of the parts that were played. See the preview...Intense...!!! http://www.tylerperry.com/_Movies/ All in all I loved… More
I saw it...it was good. Full of surprises that everyone got and deserved. All of the characters played their parts exceptionally well for you to believe the intensity of the parts that were played. See the preview...Intense...!!! http://www.tylerperry.com/_Movies/ All in all I loved it...plus there was a message to be learned (as usual from Tyler Perry...!)
Deb S

This is a touching story of love, deceit, friendship and compassion where all the evil doers get theirs and the good people triumph. Kathy Bates (Charlotte Cartwright) and Alfre Woodard(Alice Pratt) both gave two of the best performances in this film. Once again Tyler Perry does what… More
This is a touching story of love, deceit, friendship and compassion where all the evil doers get theirs and the good people triumph. Kathy Bates (Charlotte Cartwright) and Alfre Woodard(Alice Pratt) both gave two of the best performances in this film. Once again Tyler Perry does what he does best; not only dealing with black and white but just people in general and a lot of actual things that happens in the corporate world. The title was purposefully chosen to be ?The Family that Preys?. The story line, referring to backstabbing, down and dirty, dysfunctional family dynamics where people sometimes prey together upon others and sometimes they prey individually on each other.
Yinalí R

As always, Tyler Perry's movies deliver great performance and very entertaining plots of real life drama.
William G

Exactly the kind of preachy, pandering, tone-shifting, gospel-laced soap opera that Tyler Perry's served up time and time again.
Erin C

This movie was really good. The acting was great, and I loved the friendship between Woodard's and Bates' characters. Lathan's character was such a bitch! I was glad to see she got what she deserved in the end.
Chosen 7

Good film, good performances. Tyler Perry is evolving as a filmmaker, this is his second best film [his best is Why Did I Get Married?].
Leo L

Here's a movie that centralizes on two close friends, Alice and Charlotte, who have always been there for each other. Together, they are dealing with the onset of life, health, and the crazy antics of their grown children. Great cast- Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan (who… More
Here's a movie that centralizes on two close friends, Alice and Charlotte, who have always been there for each other. Together, they are dealing with the onset of life, health, and the crazy antics of their grown children. Great cast- Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan (who plays quite a character in her role as "Andrea"), Cole Hauser, KaDee Strickland, Taraji P. Henson, Robin Givens, and Rockmond Dunbar. Worth seeing!
Sam C

This was a decent effort from Tyler Perry. It's sincere even if sometimes unbelievable and unoriginal. And it's way too predicable. But the performances are solid (Woodard is good, but Kathy Bates stands out by a mile here). It's not overly preachy like some of… More
This was a decent effort from Tyler Perry. It's sincere even if sometimes unbelievable and unoriginal. And it's way too predicable. But the performances are solid (Woodard is good, but Kathy Bates stands out by a mile here). It's not overly preachy like some of Perry's efforts, but this guy definitely knows his audience. He understands human emotion much better than most of Hollywood. If Perry ever decides to add a bit more complexity (and originality) to his movies we might have a great filmmaker someday...but judging by all his work up until now I won't hold my breath. But meh...his formula seems to be working.