VC Andrews’ ‘Dawn’ is a compelling 4-part TV movie event based on the book, which takes viewers on a captivating journey through the life of Dawn Longchamp. Portrayed by the talented Brec Bassinger, Dawn’s story unfolds as we witness her transformation from a teenager at school to an adult.

Dawn lives with her brother Jimmy Longchamp, played by Khobe Clarke, and their parents. Dawn and Jimmy’s relationship are like the best of friends, and open up with each other. However, everything changes when Dawn discovers that her family is not biologically related to her and that she was kidnapped at birth. This revelation leads her to the Cutler family, her real family, who are wealthy and powerful. Dawn learns that her boyfriend at school, Philip, portrayed by Dane Schioler, is, in fact, her real brother.

Furthermore, her school bully, Clara Jean Cutler, brought to life by Elyse Maloway, turns out to be her sister. The family is scared of Dawn’s grandmother, Lillian Cutler, played by Donna Mills, who is cruel to Dawn. Much to Philips’s anger, Dawn ends their relationship. Dawn realizes that she and Jimmy have feelings for each other, so they start to date. Dawn finds out many secrets, lies, and more about the Cutler family and the unlucky curse on them. Throughout the show, we meet numerous characters, including Dawn’s friend Trisha played by Corey Woods, and Christy played by Megan Best.

The films have a perfect blend of mystery, and the romance adds depth to the story. The series have satisfying endings, leaving me both fulfilled and wanting more. The story reveals just enough to keep me invested while holding back enough to maintain suspense. Despite not being classified as horror, the films incorporate subtle elements that give them a touch of the thriller genre without relying on scares. The location choice for some scenes creates a haunting setting. Jimmy and Dawn are very kind and caring people. Despite the mistreatment Dawn has endured from others, she remains remarkably kind-hearted towards them. Over time, Dawn becomes more badass and mean, yet she still prioritizes caring for her family, despite not liking them due to their past actions. I enjoyed how Jimmy took a non-violent approach while watching over and safeguarding Dawn.

The cast is terrific, but Brec does an outstanding job throughout the films. Her character goes through lots of emotions. I did think sometimes Dawn was a bit expressionless, but this is due to Dawn being shy. As the plot unfolds, Dawn’s personality transforms. She evolves into a more strong-willed individual, though she remains profoundly caring and compassionate toward her family, despite their bad history. The complexity of her character adds depth to the narrative, showcasing Brecs outstanding acting skills. She also did a fantastic job of making me feel sad for her character. Brec playing Dawn is unlike anything I’ve seen her act in before, so it was fascinating seeing this side of her talent. It was also the first time I had heard her sing, and she had an excellent voice. Throughout the series, Khobe delivers an outstanding performance, showcasing the compassionate and caring side of his character. His portrayal of Jimmy brings depth to his relationship with Dawn. This made me like the characters more. Elyse was good at being badass but mean, and I enjoyed seeing how different her acting was in the later films, and her character choices shocked me. Clara’s jealous tendencies and acts of cruelty make her more than just a one-dimensional antagonist, giving viewers insight into her motivations. Dane impressively captures both the innocence, craziness, and madness of Philip. His portrayal leaves a lasting impression and adds to the emotional intensity of the films. In part 4, we focus more on Christy, and Megan did a great job showing how much she cared for her younger brother, although I found her to be a little less caring and forgiving than Dawn. Other casts include Jesse Metcalfe, Joey McIntyre, and many other great actors.

While these films are enjoyable, being Lifetime, they had a low budget, sometimes resulting in abrupt scene cuts and location jumps. I also found the subplot involving Dawn’s supposed father, Ormand Longchamp, somewhat frustrating. As the films progressed, it seemed like the filmmakers forgot more and more about his character and what happened to him, which annoyed me. Additionally, I disagree with the decision to have him go to jail due to an agreement deal. It felt like Dawn and Jimmy somewhat neglected his storyline as well. The ending of part 4 attempted to tie up loose ends too quickly and skipped over the fates of other side characters in the story. I did also have some issues when watching the films leading to not the best quality viewing experience. Despite these flaws, Dawn remains a fantastic film series with an excellent cast and captivating story that I highly recommend. I hope we get a spin-off continuing Christy’s story!