Every Secret Thing (2014) – A Chilling Mystery Rooted in Guilt and Deception

Title: Every Secret Thing
Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery
Director: Amy Berg
Writer: Nicole Holofcener (screenplay), based on the novel by Laura Lippman
Starring: Diane Lane, Elizabeth Banks, Dakota Fanning, Danielle Macdonald, Nate Parker
Release Date: May 15, 2015 (U.S.)
Runtime: 93 minutes
Distributed by: Starz Digital Media
Produced by: Frances McDormand (among others)

Overview

Dark, disturbing, and emotionally charged, Every Secret Thing is a psychological crime drama that explores the dangerous ripple effects of a long-buried tragedy. Directed by documentary filmmaker Amy Berg in her narrative feature debut and adapted from Laura Lippman’s best-selling novel, the film unravels slowly and deliberately—placing characters and secrets at the heart of the mystery.

This isn’t just a whodunit. It’s a study of guilt, memory, identity, and the blurred line between childhood mistakes and adult consequences.

Plot Summary

The story begins with two teenage girls, Ronnie Fuller (Dakota Fanning) and Alice Manning (Danielle Macdonald), who were convicted at age 11 for the kidnapping and death of a Black baby named Olivia Barnes. After serving seven years in juvenile detention, they’re released and attempt to reintegrate into society.

But when another young child goes missing under suspiciously similar circumstances, Detective Nancy Porter (Elizabeth Banks)—who had investigated the original case—must revisit the trauma and uncertainties of the past. Are Ronnie and Alice involved again? Or is there something deeper, darker, and more complex at play?

As Porter digs into the case, buried secrets resurface, exposing not just the girls’ troubled lives but the moral blind spots of their parents—particularly Alice’s cold and controlling mother, Helen Manning (Diane Lane), whose influence may be more damaging than anyone realized.

Key Characters

• Elizabeth Banks as Detective Nancy Porter – A determined but emotionally affected detective haunted by the original case’s unresolved truths.

• Diane Lane as Helen Manning – A sharp, distant mother whose past choices weigh heavily on the story’s outcome.

• Dakota Fanning as Ronnie Fuller – Reserved, emotionally scarred, and trying to stay invisible under a cloud of suspicion.

• Danielle Macdonald as Alice Manning – Volatile and emotionally fragile, Alice is a central mystery in herself.

• Nate Parker as Detective Kevin Jones – Nancy’s partner, bringing a grounded presence to the emotionally charged investigation.

Themes & Analysis

The Fallibility of Memory and Perception:
The film delves into how memory can be selective and manipulated—especially when layered with trauma, guilt, and emotional abuse.

Racial and Social Inequality:
From the treatment of the original victim (a Black child) to the media attention on the white suspects, Every Secret Thing subtly critiques systemic injustice and how society frames guilt and innocence.

The Shadows of Childhood:
By focusing on the aftermath of a childhood crime, the film questions how much of who we become is shaped by our upbringing—and how responsibility shifts as children grow into adults.

Mothers and Daughters:
At the emotional core is the strained, sometimes toxic relationship between Alice and Helen. Diane Lane’s performance adds layers to the idea that not all evil is loud—some is soft-spoken and persistent.

Direction & Cinematic Style

Amy Berg, known for her hard-hitting documentaries (Deliver Us from Evil), brings a grounded, realistic tone to the narrative. The film is quiet and slow-burning, using atmosphere and subtle performances to build tension rather than action or sensationalism.

The cinematography is cold and washed-out, reinforcing the emotional bleakness of the story. The pacing may feel slow for some viewers, but it mirrors the emotional weight and psychological complexity of the characters.

Performance Highlights

• Danielle Macdonald delivers a breakthrough performance as Alice—equal parts vulnerable and menacing, unpredictable yet tragic.

• Diane Lane plays against type, turning in a chilling and tightly controlled portrayal of a manipulative mother.

• Elizabeth Banks tones down her typical charisma for a more subdued and emotionally layered performance as Detective Porter.

Why You Should Watch Every Secret Thing

If you’re drawn to slow-burning mysteries, true crime psychology, or character-driven thrillers like Prisoners or Mystic River, Every Secret Thing will keep you guessing until the final scenes. It’s a story about what we hide, what we choose to remember, and the lingering effects of a single decision made in youth.

It doesn’t rely on jump scares or flashy plot twists—instead, it creates discomfort through emotional ambiguity, complex characters, and moral tension.

Final Verdict

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
A haunting, thoughtful crime drama with strong performances and a disturbing sense of realism. Not a film for easy answers—but one that lingers long after it’s over.