Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Possessive boyfriend kills girlfriend; suggested violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Gabby Petito Story
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
No need for a spoiler alert as THE GABBY PETITO STORY was well covered in the media in 2021 when the 22-year-old New York woman was reported missing and found murdered eight days later. Gabby (Skyler Samuels) was a kind, smiling young woman who ran into Brian Laundrie (Evan Hall), a high school friend she hadn't seen in years. He had always known that even as just a friend, Gabby was, as he put it in the movie, "out of my league." Yet she encourages a deeper relationship and even agrees to marry him. All of this happens despite the misgivings of friends and family and many warning signs that something was wrong with Brian. In textbook fashion, Brian the abusive boyfriend takes her away from her family by moving her to Florida, where she nevertheless enjoys jobs and friends that take up her time. This sets off his temper and jealousy. He still can't have her sufficiently to himself so he takes her on a camping trip out west. They have public disputes but she doesn't leave him. She seems to believe his troubles will end and that her love and support will change him. The movie follows what happened next.
Is It Any Good?
As reenactments go, the Lifetime TV production of The Gabby Petito Story is serviceable. We're told that some characters are composites and dialogue and events have been fictionalized for "purposes of dramatization." All the conversations shown between Gabby and Brian when they were alone during their camping trip are largely speculative. Given the Lifetime pedigree, even a murder story with a suicide has been wrestled into mild fare suitable for all audiences. As far as violence, language, and sexual behaviors are concerned, this is a tame representation.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the appeal of true crime stories made into movies with fictionalized dialogue and composite characters. How does this compare with the average film depiction of a real murder?
Gabby seemed unaware about how troubled Brian was. How can friends and family help people in her situation see that they are in danger?
What did you already know about this case? Did you learn anything new from this movie? Where could you go to learn more?
Movie Details
- In theaters : October 1, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : August 27, 2025
- Cast : Skyler Samuels , Evan Arthur Hall , Thora Birch
- Director : Thora Birch
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 85 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 27, 2025
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