The Gabby Petito Story

I found this movie very 1 sided. I'm not saying Brian wasn't very jealous, controlling and in need of therapy. But this movie shows basically none of Gabbies issues, anxiety, ocd, despression. Things we know she had because there's footage of her saying it. She had a dependence of him. She said she didn't feel comfortable away from him. So portraying her as a confident free spirit that he was constantly trying to corral isn't realistic. Her videos very much showed a timid, meek but adventurous girl. Brian obviously manipulated Gabbie, put her excitement of becoming an Influencer down because he wanted her to always need him but I don't believe he was a psychopath like Jeffrey Dahmer. I hate when movies that are about a real life event are so one sided in telling the story. All they had to do was portray her as she really was and with all the footage of her that should of been easy. No one knows what caused Brian to strangle Gabbie to death. But it's not so hard to hypothesize that they were arguing something they were known to do and he got so angry he stangled her. The real lesson in all of this the lesson I'd want to the world to learn if I was Gabbie. Is not to ignore all the red flags. Listen to your gut. You might love a person but together you're toxic for each other. Sometimes when you've become dependent on someone for comfort or for whatever reason it's hard to break yourself away. I'd like to think Gabbies story with no help from this movie has helped many get out of a situation that may have ended the same way hers did. I know her parents hated the idea of this movie and asked it not be made to begin with. Which is very understandable. Hopefully they can take comfort in knowing her actual story saved many.

I think this movie is decent for Lifetime standards. I don't get however that they cast Gabby's "mom" as an actor that is 12 years apart from the actress that plays Gabby. It's very obvious she doesn't look like she would be her mom IRL. So idk casting could have been better!! I know sometimes this happens but it just seems kind of dumb and I am an actor and producer so I don't see how they cast it like this because it's not believeable. The acting was ok and I honestly haven't heard of this story until now but I like to watch these type of movies if they are done at least somewhat believable.

Looks like there's a split here with reviews for the movie. Some people hate it; some people were satisfied with it, me included.

First off, I understand that value of respect, or disrespect according to others, of the story still being fresh in their eyes. As well as the fact that the actual families of Gabby and Brian did not put any of their time into this adaptation. Or that this was only a cash grab. Frankly, I think those reviewers thought too much into it. It's a movie. An adaptation of the real-life story of Gabby and Brian and truthfully, I think the cast, directors, producers did a fine job. I am quite certain they tried their best to respect the lives affected by this and all they wanted was to project the life Gabby and Brian had together leading up to her murder.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie. It was interesting to actually see the dramatizations that many of us already had in our minds about Brian, specifically. They brought every snapshot the media reported and the in-between of what may have happened. I watched it until the very end just glued to the TV and it brought back the sorrow and sympathy I felt for Gabby when this was national news a couple years ago.

This was a low-budget film, I mean it was a Lifetime movie, not a Hollywood blockbuster. So I already knew what to expect from this production. So with that said, I took this movie in with curiousity and intrigue and have enjoyed it. Cash grab? No. Too soon? Nah. The parents' disapproval? Sure, that's their choice. But I would not let it prevent you from watching it.

All I can say is that I did enjoy it, I definitely was intrigued by it, and it did help piece together some of the narrative I already had in my thoughts. I'm sure the cast and crew just wanted to bring the story together so we can sympathize it even more. So, because of that at face-value, I give it an 8 out of 10. I'd say watch it. It was entertaining enough.

This is a film depicting domestic violence, circumstances matter. The actress portraying Gabby is someone who appears to be in her early thirties when Gabby AND her friend were in their twenties. A for effort, but for victims who have been there and done that, it does NOT portray an unknowing victim.

The events appear accurate, and also introduces an element of mental health problems as to Brian which was not made main stream to the public, which could shift the court of public opinion.

I don't know. I have mixed thoughts. New elements, and improper casting leaves me feeling unsettled about public perception.

Why this movie needs to be made in break-neck speed without the approval of the victim's family is beyond me. At some point, some form of dramatization is understandable as Gabby's story somehow has captured the world and there are very important lessons to be learned. But spitting out this movie in a mere 8 months after Brian's notebook discovery is in extremely poor taste. Have some respect and give the family time to heal and ensure that they are involved in any future movie decisions. And it goes without saying that allowing sufficient time to lapse before releasing such a production could only help with the quality and accuracy of it. Instead, we get this cheesy Lifetime rendition which is basically a mimicry of millions-viewed police bodycam videos and Instagram photos, while it fills in the gaps with mere speculation of what could have happened. It is also annoying how genders and races of cops and lawyers are changed for no good reason. And the victim Gabby's portrayal is cringe throughout, while I hate to admit that the actor portraying the perpetrator Brian seems spot-on in his performance. Three stars for that effort - he has the same look, same voice, same awkward body language, and convincing unpredictable rage.