Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysToronto Int'l Film FestivalHispanic Heritage MonthIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story

  • TV Movie
  • 2004
  • PG-13
  • 1h 24m
IMDb RATING
5.5/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story (2004)
DramaMysteryThriller

As the police search for a missing pregnant woman, new evidence emerges that throws suspicion on her seemingly devoted husband.As the police search for a missing pregnant woman, new evidence emerges that throws suspicion on her seemingly devoted husband.As the police search for a missing pregnant woman, new evidence emerges that throws suspicion on her seemingly devoted husband.

  • Director
    • Roger Young
  • Writer
    • Dave Erickson
  • Stars
    • Dean Cain
    • Sarah Joy Brown
    • G.W. Bailey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    5.5/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Roger Young
    • Writer
      • Dave Erickson
    • Stars
      • Dean Cain
      • Sarah Joy Brown
      • G.W. Bailey
    • 24User reviews
    • 1Critic review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos8

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 2
    View Poster

    Top cast41

    Edit
    Dean Cain
    Dean Cain
    • Scott Peterson
    Sarah Joy Brown
    Sarah Joy Brown
    • Kate Vignatti
    G.W. Bailey
    G.W. Bailey
    • Det. Gates
    Cindy Hogan
    Cindy Hogan
    • Kim Peterson
    Palmer Davis
    Palmer Davis
    • Angela Panati
    Heidi Marnhout
    Heidi Marnhout
    • Donna Taylor
    Louise Gallagher
    • Jackie Peterson
    Joe Howard
    Joe Howard
    • Lee Peterson
    Tina Molina
    Tina Molina
    • Amy Rocha
    Dan Cashman
    Dan Cashman
    • Mr. Whitman
    Jackson Jarvis
    • Sammy Vignatti
    Erin McKinley
    • Babysitter
    David E. Willis
    David E. Willis
    • Modesto News Anchor
    Marnie Crossen
    • Elderly Woman
    Roark Critchlow
    Roark Critchlow
    • Todd Dewey
    Annie Hinton
    Annie Hinton
    • Dog Handler
    Paul D. Roberts
    Paul D. Roberts
    • First Reporter
    Suzanne Whang
    Suzanne Whang
    • Second Reporter
    • Director
      • Roger Young
    • Writer
      • Dave Erickson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews24

    5.51.3K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    rydelpinklady

    MOVIE-FLOP

    Disappointment IN MOVIE-MAKING. The over-all movie lacked substance and what did go on was the trash we've already read in the tabloids. I don't know who wrote the film, but I feel like I could have done better myself being I've been following this case/trial since it started.

    Just because I'm anal about these types of things, I noticed the fact that the leaves on the trees outside of the courthouse were orange which indicates it was fall when in the movie, it was supposed to be Winter. Also, being from the Bay Area, it was funny because all those news channels do not exist in the Bay Area. (I told you I'm anal about those types of things.)

    It would be nice to see a movie made once the trial is completed and a verdict is reached (even though I'm almost 100% sure who's to blame). I'd like to see a film made with all the facts and details. This made for TV movie, had the worst ending I've ever seen. I kept waiting for something more to happen, but no, it concludes with Scott in jail.
    rollingbecks

    Soap Opera Glut

    This should not have been made at this time. Mr. Petersen should have been afforded a fair trial before he was tried in the media. As I watched the USA network production, I couldn't help but wonder "Why" I didn't recognize but 2 actors. Dean Cain and G.W. Bailey did a great job. Dean Cain's portrayal was very good. I guess G.W. Bailey did a decent portrayal, I really can't comment, because I not familiar with the investigating officer. But the question remains who were the other actors? Out of work Soap stars, that's who! And that my friends explains why this entire production is n nothing more than a "Soap Opera". Shame on you, USA network.
    ungasg

    Real life movie or fiction?

    To present a real happening as in a movie is unique and always interesting to watch. However, smooth as the story line may be, the ending is rather cynical, without the 'real' presentation of the real case, if any otherwise it was only based on presumption. It is 'presumed' that Dean Cain MURDERED his wife but without court verdict nor findings. I don't know much about the real life story behind, or if the case has been closed or still an open end case or was it just the conclusion of the police and if so, why then made a movie based on real life story that has not ended with a finding?. Is Hollywood expecting us to judge as like in a fiction movie?.
    charmedgirl81

    Can't Hollywood leave anything alone?

    For crying out loud, this has got to be the most ridiculous, insensitive thing I have ever seen! (Well I haven't seen the movie but just the fact that there is one made)...can't Hollywood leave anything alone anymore? Why is it that every real-life tragedy has to be turned into some MADE FOR T.V. MOVIE? I guess producers can't come up with anything else more original and as if they don't have enough money already they need to bring in old soap actors (Sarah Brown as Laci Peterson???)into this just so their careers don't fade away completely!

    Seriously Hollywood, stop feeding off of the families' pain and come up with your OWN stories instead of trying to re-enact real life tragedies and leave well enough alone!
    7boyinflares

    Decent and intriguing real-life drama-thriller

    Living in a country where media coverage of the Laci Peterson story was minimal, this TV-film did a great job of depicting the tragic events. The pace was good and the story telling was thoughtful without getting complicated. Dean Cain was fantastic (as always) in his role as Scott Peterson, and Tracy Middendorf was great as his innocent girlfriend, Amber. Sarah Brown and David Deman were also good as Kate and Tom Vignatti. The rest of the cast were all competent, but didn't get a lot of screen time. The only problem I see with the film is that perhaps it should have been made after the final outcome in the real Laci Peterson story, then there would have been more of an ending.

    More like this

    Blue-Eyed Butcher
    5.6
    Blue-Eyed Butcher
    Vows of Deception
    5.8
    Vows of Deception
    A Mother's Revenge
    6.1
    A Mother's Revenge
    Victim of Love: The Shannon Mohr Story
    6.2
    Victim of Love: The Shannon Mohr Story
    The Assault
    6.2
    The Assault
    Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story
    6.1
    Cries Unheard: The Donna Yaklich Story
    In a Child's Name
    7.7
    In a Child's Name
    Death in Small Doses
    5.7
    Death in Small Doses
    The Perfect Teacher
    5.0
    The Perfect Teacher
    Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter
    6.8
    Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter
    Dangerous Intentions
    6.2
    Dangerous Intentions
    The Murder of Laci Peterson
    7.3
    The Murder of Laci Peterson

    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway in Chinatown (1974)
    Mystery
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Dean Cain said in interviews that since Peterson had not yet gone to trial when the movie was being filmed, he tried to play him as if he were innocent.
    • Goofs
      The court house depicted shortly after Scott is taking in for questioning is the Regional East County Court House in El Cajon, CA which is more then 438 miles away from Modesto.
    • Connections
      Featured in Murder Has Two Faces: Motherhood Interrupted (2025)

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 13, 2004 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • The Perfect Husband
    • Filming locations
      • Modesto, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • Sony Pictures Television
      • Stu Segall Productions
      • The Sokolow Company
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 24m(84 min)
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.