As research, director Nicole Kassell interviewed sex offenders, as well as therapists who worked with them.
The part of Mary Kay was originally intended for a 45-year-old white male. Kevin Bacon recommended Eve for the part, and she was hired without a single audition.
Kyra Sedgwick, who had been cast before Kevin Bacon, wanted to withdraw shortly before filming started. She was concerned their being married would turn off viewers, but he convinced her to stay on.
The movie was released in the U.S. just nine days after California put its sex offender register online. Under "Megan's Law," named after 7-year-old Megan Kanka, who was abducted and killed by a sex offender who lived next door, parents must be able to check whether any convicted sex offenders live in their neighborhood.
This is the second movie in which Kevin Bacon has played a child molester. The first was Sleepers (1996).