Is the Movie Death of a Cheerleader a True Story?
by Mathelene
Updated Apr 26, 2023
Death of a Cheerleader (2019)
On February 2, 2019, Lifetime aired a TV movie called Death of a Cheerleader featuring Aubrey Peeples, Morgan Taylor Campbell, Sarah Dugdale, Madelyn Grace, Mackenzie Cardwell, and Kellie Martin. This film is a reimagining of the 1994 TV movie "A Friend to Die For," which was inspired by the real-life murder of Kirsten Costas. Unlike the 1994 version, Kellie Martin plays a different character in Death of a Cheerleader.
The producers of the 2019 Lifetime movie Death of a Cheerleader are Sheri Singer of Just Singer Entertainment and Steve White of Reunion Pacific Entertainment. Matthew O'Connor and Paddy Bickerton also served as executive producers. The movie was a remake of the 1994 film of the same name.
Death of a Cheerleader is a 1994 television movie, also known as "A Friend to Die For," that is based on the real-life murder of a California high school student named Kirsten Costas. The movie Death of a Cheerleader is directed by Paul Shapiro.
The film tells the story of a popular cheerleader named Stacy Lockwood played by Kellie Martin who is murdered by a fellow student named Angela Delvecchio played by Tori Spelling. While the movie takes some creative liberties with the true events, it is largely based on the Kirsten Costas case.
Is the Movie Death of a Cheerleader a True Story?
Yes, the movie Death of a Cheerleader is based on a true story. The film is based on the 1984 murder of Kirsten Costas, a popular high school student in Orinda, California, by another student named Bernadette Protti. The case gained widespread media attention at the time and has been the subject of other adaptations, including books and a made-for-TV movie in 1992.
According to research, the movie takes some creative liberties in portraying the events leading up to the murder. For example, the movie suggests that Angela was jealous of Stacy's popularity and decided to kill her to take her place. In reality, the motive for the murder was more complicated than that, and there was no evidence of jealousy being a primary factor.
Additionally, the movie portrays Angela as a lone wolf who acted alone, while in reality, she had a group of friends who knew about her plans and even helped her carry them out. The movie also doesn't delve into the aftermath of the murder, which involved a media frenzy, a trial, and a community grappling with the tragedy.
Despite these differences, Death of a Cheerleader still captures the essence of the Kirsten Costas case and the disturbing reality of teen violence. The movie serves as a reminder that high school can be a tumultuous time for many young people, and that issues like social status and popularity can sometimes have deadly consequences.
The True Incident Behind Death of a Cheerleader
Death of a Cheerleader is based on the real-life murder of 16-year-old Kirsten Costas in Orinda, California, in 1984. The film tells the story of a popular high school student named Angela Delvecchio who becomes obsessed with becoming friends with the popular girl in school, Stacy Lockwood.
When Stacy rejects Angela's attempts to become her friend, Angela becomes increasingly jealous and begins to plot her revenge, leading to the tragic murder of the popular cheerleader. The movie is loosely based on true events and does not follow the details of the case closely.
Death of a Cheerleader Plot
Death of a Cheerleader is a made-for-television movie that tells the story of a popular high school cheerleader named Stacy Lockwood, who is brutally murdered by her classmate, Angela Delvecchio. The movie explores the events leading up to the murder and the aftermath, including the investigation, trial, and impact on the community.
The plot is based on the true story of the murder of Kirsten Costas in 1984, which gained national attention and was dubbed "the real-life Heathers" by the media.
Death of a Cheerleader Ending Explained
At the end of Death of a Cheerleader Angela is found guilty of murdering Kirsten and is sentenced to 27 years to life in prison. The trial brings to light the jealousy and obsession that drove Angela to commit the murder. At the end of the film, we see a montage of Angela's life in prison and how she struggles to come to terms with her actions.
The film ends with a message about the dangers of envy and the importance of seeking help if you feel overwhelmed by negative emotions.
Is the Movie Death of a Cheerleader a True Story - FAQ
The movie Death of a Cheerleader is directed by Paul Shapiro.
Yes, the movie Death of a Cheerleader is based on a true story.
Stacy Lockwood played by Kellie Martin and Angela Delvecchio played by Tori Spelling
Death of a Cheerleader is based on the real-life murder of a California high school student named Kirsten Costas.