Every Secret Thing Ending Explained, Cast, Plot and Trailer
by Rubaditsha
Updated May 24, 2023
Every Secret Thing Movie
Every Secret Thing is a crime film that was released in 2014. It was directed by Amy J. Berg and written by Nicole Holofcener. The screenplay is based on the novel of the same name, which was written by Laura Lippman in 2004. The film features a talented cast including Diane Lane, Elizabeth Banks, Dakota Fanning, Danielle Macdonald, and Nate Parker. Notably, it also marks the debut of Academy Award-winning actress Frances McDormand as a producer. The film had its theatrical release on May 15, 2015, and later became available on home video on August 4, 2015.
Every Secret Thing Ending Explained
Every Secret Thing, written by renowned mystery author Laura Lippman in 2003, is a gripping novel that delves into the world of suspense and crime. Lippman, known for her popular Tess Monaghan book series, steps away from her recurring character to present a standalone mystery set in Baltimore. The story revolves around the fate of two young girls, Alice Manning and Ronnie Fuller, and explores the dark secrets that bind them.
The novel begins by introducing Alice and Ronnie, both fifth-graders, as they make their way home from a birthday party. Ronnie, the rebellious girl, causes a disturbance, resulting in both her and Alice being expelled from the party. As they trudge through the rain, they stumble upon a baby, Olivia, seemingly abandoned in a stroller in front of a house. Ronnie firmly believes the baby is abandoned and convinces Alice that they should take care of her.
The narrative then jumps ahead seven years, with Alice and Ronnie being released from separate juvenile detention centers. It is revealed that baby Olivia died that summer, just four days after being in the girls' care. The details of the kidnapping and murder were never disclosed, leaving the question of which girl was the mastermind behind the tragic events unanswered.
The authorities advise Alice and Ronnie to start anew and avoid any contact with each other. However, Olivia's mother, Cynthia Barnes, is outraged by the girls' release and their fresh start. Soon after their release, children begin to disappear in similar circumstances to the abduction years ago. Initially, the children only go missing temporarily, but the situation takes a sinister turn when a young girl named Brittany is kidnapped from a shopping center parking lot while her mother's attention is diverted.
The story gradually unfolds, exploring both the present-day and past crimes, and revealing the true culprits responsible for the abductions. As the novel progresses, it delves deeper into the backstories of Alice and Ronnie. We learn about Alice's mother, Helen, who became pregnant at a young age and lost her husband before Alice's birth.
Ronnie, on the other hand, suffered from childhood molestation by her brother, which led to her becoming unpredictable and rebellious. During her time in detention, Ronnie's erratic behavior manifested in self-harm, and she found solace in psychiatric facilities. The book also addresses the role of racial tension in the media narrative, as two white girls were responsible for the death of a black girl, with some advocating for the crime to be labeled a hate crime.
Nancy Porter, who gained recognition as the cadet who discovered Olivia's body years ago, is assigned to investigate the recent abductions. Alongside her colleagues, she comes across a bloodstained shirt that does not match the DNA of the missing child or her mother. Cynthia Barnes, upon learning of the latest abduction, immediately contacts Nancy and expresses her suspicions.
She believes that the girls responsible for her daughter's death are now free, coinciding with the new string of abductions. Nancy agrees to interview Alice and Ronnie, finding Alice to be relatively cooperative while Ronnie flees and seeks refuge in the same cabin where she hid Olivia years before. Nancy's partner describes Ronnie as a classic example of guilt.
Meanwhile, Cynthia's husband encourages her to reach out to the mother of the missing girl, but she struggles with her discomfort regarding their social status. As the daughter of a prominent African American judge, Cynthia feels uneasy communicating with a lower-class, mixed-race family. She perceives the mother as sloppy compared to her own composed demeanor after her child's abduction, believing they have nothing in common besides the crimes.
Nevertheless, Cynthia feels compelled to visit them, particularly due to the striking resemblance her daughter Rosalind bears to the abducted girl, which arose from Cynthia's grief over.
Every Secret Thing Review
How did a film featuring such a talented ensemble end up being unoriginal, uninteresting, and lacking in depth? Director Amy Berg, known for her thought-provoking documentaries such as "Deliver Us From Evil" and "West of Memphis," has demonstrated her insight into the dark sides of human desires. Screenwriter Nicole Holofcener, acclaimed for her skill in creating complex characters in films like "Lovely and Amazing" and "Enough Said," is highly regarded in her field.
However, it seems that both were ill-suited for this particular project. Berg's expertise in non-fiction storytelling did not successfully translate into her first narrative film, while Holofcener's talents in character development were overshadowed by the demands of the airport bookstore thriller genre. As a result, "Every Secret Thing" fell short on multiple levels, only partially redeemed by Dakota Fanning's strong performance and the compelling supporting roles that added some substance to this cautionary tale.
The story revolves around Ronnie Fuller, portrayed by Dakota Fanning, and Alice Manning, played by Danielle Macdonald, who were convicted seven years ago for the abduction and murder of a baby girl taken from a porch in broad daylight. Each of them blamed the other, leading to both being sentenced to juvenile detention during their formative years.
Shortly after their release, a three-year-old girl is snatched from a furniture store in the middle of the day while her parents, including Common, are shopping for a new mattress. The question arises: Did Ronnie or Alice commit a similar crime again? Detective Nancy Porter, portrayed by Elizabeth Banks, coincidentally the same officer who discovered the body in the initial case, is called in to investigate the second abduction.
She is partnered with a seasoned detective, played by Nate Parker, as they urgently search for answers. However, one significant flaw of "Every Secret Thing" is the absence of a sense of urgency. Unlike the gripping atmosphere found in movies like "Prisoners," this film fails to convey the gravity of the situation. Despite Banks delivering lines about the desperate search for a potentially deceased toddler, the filmmaking falls short in capturing the necessary intensity.
The primary reason for the film's lack of intensity lies in the underdeveloped characters. Every individual in the story serves merely as a cog in the plot machinery, with most of their dialogue merely serving to drive the mystery forward. While the narrative briefly touches upon the theme of flawed parenting—Ronnie's parents being absent and Alice's mother, played by Diane Lane, depicted as a detestable person who emotionally abuses her overweight daughter—the execution feels contrived.
The domestic scenes of turmoil come across as overly scripted, inadequately directed, and lacking authenticity. Most disappointingly, Macdonald struggles to carry the dramatic weight in the second half of "Every Secret Thing." Only Fanning, alongside Common in a few scenes, manages to be well-cast and engaged with the material. The remaining cast members range from mediocre to downright awful in their performances.
How do subpar movies come into existence? It is evident that "Every Secret Thing" was made with good intentions. It does not feel like a product churned out by the Hollywood movie-making machine. However, it appears that this project did not play to the strengths of its director or screenwriter, and no one was willing to acknowledge this given their past successes.
Thankfully, everyone involved will likely emerge unscathed. Berg already has another compelling documentary making waves, and Holofcener's career continues to thrive. Banks, Lane, and Fanning will undoubtedly be part of excellent films in the future. Perhaps it is best if "Every Secret Thing" remains limited to a select few viewers.
Every Secret Thing Cast
Diane Lane
Helen Manning
Elizabeth Banks
Detective Nancy Porter
Dakota Fanning
Ronnie Fuller
Eva Grace Kellner
Young Ronnie Fuller
Danielle Macdonald
Alice Manning
Brynne Norquist
Young Alice Manning
Nate Parker
Detective Kevin Jones
Common
Devlin Hatch
Colin Donnell
Paul Porter
Bill Sage
Dave Fuller
Tonye Patano
Clarice
Julito McCullum
Rodrigo
Clare Foley
Mary Paige
Lily Pilblad
Jeanne
Renée Elise Goldsberry
Cynthia Barnes
Sarah Sokolovic
Maveen Lyttle
Jack Gore
Tommy (uncredited)
Cast
Character
Every Secret Thing Trailer
Every Secret Thing Plot
The film employs a non-chronological narrative structure, alternating between present-day scenes and flashbacks that gradually unveil the past events as the story progresses. Recently released from Juvenile Hall after serving a seven-year sentence for the abduction and murder of a biracial infant, the granddaughter of the county's first black judge, 18-year-old Ronnie Fuller and Alice Manning find themselves grappling with their roles in the crime.
Alice persistently maintains her innocence, claiming to be a victim of Ronnie's manipulation. She insists that Ronnie planted her jack-in-the-box at the crime scene to frame her. In a flashback, we witness the girls walking home from a pool party when Ronnie spots an unattended baby in a stroller on a porch. Ignoring Alice's pleas, Ronnie takes the baby and runs away, convincing Alice that they can provide better care and that the baby is now theirs.
In the present, Ronnie works at a bagel shop in town, while Alice spends her days aimlessly wandering the streets, indulging in junk food. However, she lies to her mother, pretending to search for employment as requested. Secretly, Alice harbors dreams of achieving validation through reality TV fame, practicing a speech several times in which she portrays herself as a "victim" of the justice system.
Alice's mother, Helen Manning, works as a teacher at an elementary school, and their relationship is characterized by conflict. Helen feels ashamed of Alice's weight, unsophisticated preferences, and lack of interest in the things Helen enjoys. Flashbacks reveal that before the kidnapping, Helen compelled Alice and Ronnie to spend time together and attend the pool party, displaying favoritism toward Ronnie in front of Alice.
Two weeks after Ronnie and Alice's release, a couple shopping in a furniture store with their young biracial daughter, Brittany Lyttle, experience a horrifying incident. Amidst their argument over couches, their daughter goes missing, triggering panic. The assigned detectives, including Nancy Porter, who previously worked on the Fuller/Manning case and remains haunted by it, visit the distressed parents.
Soon, the connection between the current case and the previous kidnapping becomes evident, highlighted by Brittany's resemblance to the previous victim. Porter and her partner interrogate both Alice and Ronnie. Ronnie behaves evasively and withdraws, while Alice subtly implies Ronnie's potential involvement.
Every Secret Thing Where to Watch?
"Every Secret Thing" is currently available for streaming on platforms such as Max, HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, and DIRECTV. Additionally, you have the option to purchase the film on digital platforms like Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, and DIRECTV. If you prefer, you can also rent the movie on platforms such as Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, and DIRECTV through online rental services.
Every Secret Thing Ending Explained:FAQs
You can stream "Every Secret Thing" on platforms such as Max, HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, and DIRECTV.
Yes, you can buy "Every Secret Thing" on digital platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, and DIRECTV.
Absolutely, you can rent "Every Secret Thing" online through platforms like Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, and DIRECTV.
For streaming, you can choose from Max, HBO Max, HBO Max Amazon Channel, and DIRECTV. When it comes to purchasing, you have the choice of Apple TV, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Vudu, Redbox, and DIRECTV.