Flowers in the Attic: The Origin

This is best viewed after watching Lifetime's other productions of the Dollanganger series adaptations from the VC Andrews novels. Like the book itself (Garden of Shadows), the impact of Flowers in the Attic (Book or film) will be lessened if this is watched first. It is a story that is written in retrospect. With that said, this lifetime series is probably better constructed and more heavily funded than the Lifetime adaptations that come later in the timeline. It's competent, compelling, and well-scripted material, even as watered down with a PG rating. Hannah Dodd as young Corrine fits a spitting image of Lifetime's future Corrine as Heather Graham. Honestly, it comes down to this: The VC Andrews source material is fantasticly dark, but also very mature, and will probably never get the on-screen justice it deserves. This is the closest any studio has come to re-creating it on film. Until an MA or R rated version of all this material is made, and a network is willing to fund a complete season per novel, this is the best there is and it is pretty good all things considered. At this point, Lifetime is way ahead of the game on VCA adaptations, so might as well just keep sticking with this working formula.

Love that Lifetime did "The Origin" - I read this series years ago and it makes me want to reread them AND it brought me to start watching Lifetime movies which I am NOW hooked on, lol This movie series is done so well, it is dark and twisted with lots of drama. I find myself oddly understanding and feeling sorry for Grandmother - how is this happening. Haha A must watch for people who love drama, suspenseful dark films.

Flowers in the Attic: The Origin is a haunting and compelling prequel that masterfully exposes the tragic foundation of the Foxworth family's twisted legacy. This Lifetime adaptation brings new depth to V. C. Andrews' iconic Dollanganger series, focusing on the emotional transformation of Olivia Winfield Foxworth, the cruel matriarch from Flowers in the Attic.

The prequel introduces us to a younger Olivia, a hopeful and strong-willed woman who, upon marrying the cold and manipulative Malcolm Foxworth, finds herself ensnared in a web of family secrets and emotional abuse. Olivia's gradual descent into bitterness and cruelty is deeply affecting, as her spirit is systematically broken by Malcolm's unfaithfulness, cruelty, and the moral rot within the Foxworth family.

The Origin succeeds in humanizing Olivia, offering viewers a greater understanding of her tragic journey from a victim of her circumstances to the cold-hearted grandmother who imprisons her own grandchildren in the attic. This exploration of her motivations adds layers to the original story, revealing the emotional scars that compel Olivia to preserve the Foxworth legacy at any cost, even as it destroys those around her.

Malcolm Foxworth looms large as the architect of much of the family's dysfunction. His relentless quest for control, power, and dominance creates a toxic environment that infects every member of the Foxworth household. The prequel delves into the family's dark history, including Malcolm's illicit relationships and the consequences of his actions, which set the stage for the generational trauma that plagues the Foxworth lineage.

Perhaps most chilling is how The Origin recontextualizes the actions of Corrine Dollanganger, Olivia's daughter, whose betrayal in Flowers in the Attic shocked readers and viewers alike. Raised in an emotionally detached household, where greed and control reign, Corrine's willingness to lock her own children away for financial gain now feels tragically inevitable. The prequel paints a fuller picture of how the toxic environment shaped her, making her choices both horrifying and tragically human.

While Flowers in the Attic: The Origin does not entirely excuse the horrific actions of the characters we love to hate, it brilliantly fleshes out the emotional and psychological underpinnings that lead to their downfall. Themes of power, betrayal, greed, and emotional manipulation are woven into a gothic tapestry that enriches the Dollanganger mythos, offering a deeper, more nuanced look at the trauma that defined the family.

For longtime fans of V. C. Andrews' series, The Origin is essential viewing. It not only adds new emotional complexity to the Foxworth saga but also shines a light on the dark secrets and tragedies that led to the infamous events in Flowers in the Attic. With its gripping psychological drama and haunting revelations, Flowers in the Attic: The Origin offers a captivating, and at times heartbreaking, look into the origins of a deeply troubled family.

It's a nightmarish glimpse into what life was like for women in the early 1900s. Jemima Rooper's performance connects you to fear. I watch scary movies often, I have never been so scared for a fictional character. Max Irons is scary as Malcolm Foxworth, a dressed-to-kill predator capable of creepily deluding his victim into a false sense of security. The talented ensemble created a jaw-dropping atmosphere that feels scary and mysterious. After watching this first episode, I am unsure of my feelings toward the future Olivia and what she eventually will do to her grandchildren. What she did was unforgivable, but will I be more empathetic towards who she will become? Flowers In The Attic: Origins is a well-told story that only requires me to sit back and listen.

As always, if you made it this far, thanks for reading, and if you watch this series, let me know what you think.

Keep it interesting, Stay Channel Surfing!

Damian at TalkTeaV.

I haven't seen The Flowers in the Attic series yet, so when this came out I decided to start with it. It is riveting. There are so many fingers in this movie, that it keeps you looking around the corner for the next "surprise". The actors do an amazing and hauntingly convincing job as their character's continue to grown and change. Throughly enjoyed this series.