The Lifetime true crime movie Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story caused a stir when it debuted last year, and it’s set to make its streaming debut soon.
True crime dramatizations are coming in thick and fast, and they’re often prone to controversy. Last year, Ryan Murphy’s Monsters Season 2 proved divisive for its differing perspectives on the Lyle and Erik Menendez case.
Hulu’s Good American Family takes a similar multi-perspective approach, attempting to piece together the highly complex case of Kristine and Michael Barnett’s adoption of Natalia Grace.
Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story doesn’t have the same challenge, but it is based on one of the most disturbing murder-suicide cases in US history. Warning: some may find this content distressing.
How to watch Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story
Right now, the only way to watch Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story is through the Lifetime channel, or you can buy or rent it via on-demand platforms including Amazon Prime.
However, if you don’t have cable or don’t want to buy it, the new movie is making its streaming debut on April 24, 2025, on Hulu.
Husband, Father, Killer centers on Alyssa (Jackie Cruz) and Steven (Matthew MacCaull), who strike up a relationship when the former is a teen.
As stated by the official description, “After they have a daughter of their own, their path takes a dark turn when Steven becomes physically abusive toward the infant.
“Alyssa senses the situation is dire and puts the child up for adoption… little does she know, 18 years later their daughter, now named Katie (Matreya Scarrwener), would seek them out.
“After an instant connection when they reunite, Steven convinces Katie to move in with him, Alyssa, and their two young daughters, promising her opportunities to pursue her passions. Steven starts neglecting the rest of the family and Alyssa finally has enough and moves out.
“When Alyssa discovers that Katie and Steven are having an affair and expecting, she confronts them and tries to convince Katie of Steven’s abusive past. Katie refuses to listen until it’s too late.”
As said, it’s based on a true story, which began in 1995, when Alyssa Pladl, who was 15 at the time, was groomed online by 20-year-old Steven Pladl. They ran away together, with Alyssa falling pregnant at just 16 years old.
She gave birth to Denise Pladl, but when Steven allegedly started abusing their child, Alyssa gave her up for adoption, and Denise’s name was changed to Katie.
In 2016, when Katie was 18, she reached out to Steven and Alyssa on Facebook and they all met up. Over time, Steven and Katie began an incestuous relationship, with Alyssa finding out that her biological daughter was pregnant with Steven’s child.
Alyssa reported it to the police, but in 2017, Katie gave birth to her father’s son, Bennett Pladl. At the start of the following year, the authorities got involved.
Facing prison, Steven murdered Bennett, Katie, and Katie’s adoptive father, Anthony Charles Fusco, before taking his own life.
Due to its disturbing subject matter, Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story received a strong reaction when it first debuted in October 2024.
“Such a sad story,” wrote one viewer on Reddit, while another said, “Such a disturbing movie and real-life event. Tragic.”
A third added, “As sad and twisted as this story is, it definitely needs to be shared. That way it can maybe help prevent another situation like this from happening.”
While you wait, take a look at the new true crime docs coming to streaming this month. Also, find out where Rex Heuermann is now and the latest with Con Mum Dionne Hornigold.
Source link
