Thicker Than Water (TV Movie 2019)

Thicker Than Water (TV Movie 2019)

Not to be confused with a Netflix series that also bears the same title.

It’s absolutely crazy: not only do I generally dislike TV movies, but I liked this one and even watched it twice… what’s more, it introduced me to the excellent Katie Douglas, who became my favourite young actress (today, it’s Mckenna Grace, because she’s even younger and just as incredible)! In fact, after discovering her here, I have never been disappointed by her performances, whether in The Girl Who Escaped: The Kara Robinson Story (2023), Level 16 (2018), Lazareth (2024) or Clown in a Cornfield (2025). The latter isn’t the best, except perhaps for fans of slasher and horror films.

I just rewatched Thicker Than Water. I didn’t remember everything, but certain scenes had stuck with me, particularly the one in the swimming pool.

A decent thriller, with moments of suspense and some slightly ridiculous passages, but overall it holds up well. The dialogue is enjoyable, as are the family characters. Granted, the mother doesn’t necessarily act very well (or perhaps she plays her role as a withdrawn and traumatised character too well and we don’t realise it!), but the father and the psychopath are rather well cast. The daughter’s best friend is an endearing character, but we don’t see her very much. She’s the ideal best friend, except that she’s perhaps a little too obsessed with handsome boys, which makes her awkward.

The beautiful songs in the TV film are performed by SYML (who has collaborated with quite a few artists, including Lana Del Rey).

A nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon or a quiet evening. Thicker Than Water does a great job of entertaining those who don’t want to bother with a complicated film.