A terror-stricken bride is bound and gagged. Apparently, she is beaten to death with a hammer. After the credits roll, the mood turns merry. We see still-attractive blonde schoolteacher Ashley Newbrough (as Nicole) celebrate her 30th birthday. Whispers about being "pretty much dried up" don't faze Ms. Newbrough. She is waiting for marriage before having a baby. The surprise birthday party becomes even more of a celebration when handsome, muscular and wealthy Rocky Myers (as Mark) proposes to Newbrough. No fool, Newbrough accepts. But, this being a "Lifetime" TV movie, all does not go well. Sending trouble-making signals, Mr. Myers' zealous stepsister Tammin Sursok (as Audrey) immediately moves in with the happy couple...
This is strictly a formula movie. If Ms. Sursok doesn't send off warning signals, the title "You May Now Kill the Bride" is a dead giveaway. Director Kohl Glass, his cast and crew are competent, but they could just as well be working at a high-class restaurant in Salt Lake City. As you might expect, the best role is essayed by Sursok. She is quite engaging, as Mr. Glass allows the antagonist to go from playfully nefarious to over-the-top evil. Sursok's final scenes show good use of make-up in characterization. In the standard "best friend" role, Aubrey Reynolds (as Celine) does well. Writer Blaine Chiappetta gives the script a few snarky lines, especially in the birthday party and dress fitting scenes, but the violent opening scene is not fully explained.
**** You May Now Kill the Bride (6/4/2016) Kohl Glass ~ Tammin Sursok, Ashley Newbrough, Rocky Myers, Aubrey Reynolds
