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Crime thriller

Death of a Cheerleader (2019): Cast, Ratings & Plot

Death of a Cheerleader (2019) movie poster

Death of a Cheerleader is a 2019 crime thriller directed by Paul Shapiro, starring Aubrey Shea as Bridget Moretti, Melanie Rose Wilson and Sarah Dugdale. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes. Its Echo Score is 20/100.

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Death of a Cheerleader (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Director
Paul Shapiro
Genres
Thriller , Crime , Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Lifetime
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Death of a Cheerleader About?

The premise of Death of a Cheerleader without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This remake draws inspiration from a Rolling Stone article detailing the shocking true story of a Northern California high school cheerleader’s murder. The film explores the tragic events surrounding the death of a popular and affluent young woman, focusing on the classmate who committed the crime and the aftermath of this devastating loss within the community.

Death of a Cheerleader Themes & Keywords

· 1 tag
  • teensploitation
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Cast & crew

Death of a Cheerleader Cast & Characters

Aubrey Shea leads the cast as Bridget Moretti, with Melanie Rose Wilson as Jennifer Moretti and Sarah Dugdale as Kelly Locke. Directed by Paul Shapiro; 22 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Death of a Cheerleader

· 18 more
Show all 22 cast members
From the director

More from Paul Shapiro

More films directed by Paul Shapiro: Dancing Through the Snow, Dark Angel, Heaven and Tiny House of Terror.

Full filmography
Ratings

Death of a Cheerleader Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 20/100, strongest in story & flow (30) and weakest in rewatch factor (15).

20 /100

Death of a Cheerleader Echo Score Breakdown

The remake of Death of a Cheerleader is broadly regarded as a subpar execution that fails to capture the strengths of its predecessor. Reviewers note unfocused direction, shaky camera work, and a visual style that feels cheap and out of period. Performances are described as unconvincing, with little chemistry or emotional depth among the cast. The narrative is criticized for being disjointed, hard to follow, and riddled with plot holes. Consequently, the film offers little incentive for repeat viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 20

    In terms of art and craft, the film suffers from unstable direction and jerky camera movements that undermine visual coherence. Critics highlight a cheap-looking production design that fails to convincingly portray the intended setting. Editing appears uneven, contributing to a fragmented viewing experience. These technical shortcomings collectively detract from the film's aesthetic credibility, resulting in a low assessment of its artistic execution.

  • Character & Emotion 25

    Character and emotional work is weak, with acting repeatedly described as horrible or unconvincing. Lead performers lack the necessary presence to convey the story's tension, and chemistry among the ensemble is largely absent. While a few moments of competent acting are noted, they are insufficient to offset the overall flatness. The diminished emotional resonance leaves audiences disengaged from the protagonists' struggles.

  • Story & Flow 30

    The story suffers from poor pacing and a lack of narrative clarity. Reviewers find the plot hard to follow, citing numerous holes and a disjointed structure that hampers engagement. Originality is minimal, relying heavily on a familiar true‑crime premise without fresh insight. This combination of incoherence and unoriginality reduces the film's overall storytelling effectiveness.

  • Sensory Experience 20

    Sensory experience is marred by inadequate sound design and a visual style that feels cheap and inconsistent with the film's setting. Critics point to the constant camera motion and uninspired soundtrack, which together prevent immersion. The overall sensory cohesion is insufficient, leaving the viewing experience flat and disconnected.

  • Rewatch Factor 15

    Rewatch value is minimal, as the film is repeatedly described as a disappointment that offers little to revisit. The combination of weak performances, fragmented storytelling, and substandard production design diminishes lasting appeal. Viewers are advised to skip the remake in favor of the original, indicating very low incentive for subsequent viewings.

Plot

Death of a Cheerleader Plot Summary

What happens in Death of a Cheerleader from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 11 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the fictional town of Colina, California, Bridget Moretti, Aubrey Shea, is a shy student at Hollybrook High who longs to be popular by befriending Kelly Locke, the charismatic leader of the school’s most prestigious group, the Bobettes. After being accepted into the circle, Bridget hopes to climb higher by testing her chances as a cheerleader and by applying for a spot on the yearbook staff, but she is crushed when she is passed over for both opportunities. The disappointment deepens as she watches the social hierarchy tighten around Kelly and the Bobettes, leaving Bridget feeling overlooked and hungry for a place of her own.

Full summary

The whole story of Death of a Cheerleader, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Death of a Cheerleader Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Death of a Cheerleader.

Death of a Cheerleader: Sneak Peek | Premieres Saturday, February 2 at 8/7c | Lifetime
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Death of a Cheerleader?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

In which fictional town does the story take place?

Cars

Cars in Death of a Cheerleader

13 cars on screen, including the 1978 Mercury Bobcat Villager and the BMW 3 E30.

All 13 cars
  • 1978 Mercury Bobcat Villager in Death of a Cheerleader 1978 Mercury Bobcat Villager Main role
  • BMW 3 E30 in Death of a Cheerleader BMW 3 E30 Minor role
  • 1987 Chevrolet Caprice in Death of a Cheerleader 1987 Chevrolet Caprice Minor role
  • 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 in Death of a Cheerleader 1966 Ford Fairlane 500 Minor role
Details

Death of a Cheerleader Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “Lycéenne parfaite pour crime parfait” and “Egy pomponlány meggyilkolása”.

Also known as
  • Lycéenne parfaite pour crime parfait
  • Egy pomponlány meggyilkolása
  • 拉拉队之死
  • Śmierć cheerleaderki
  • O Assassinato da Cheerleader
  • 치어리더 살인사건
  • La venganza de Bridget

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FAQ

Death of a Cheerleader FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Death of a Cheerleader, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Death of a Cheerleader?

Death of a Cheerleader runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Death of a Cheerleader released?

Death of a Cheerleader was released on February 2, 2019.

Who directed Death of a Cheerleader?

Death of a Cheerleader was directed by Paul Shapiro.

More films by Paul Shapiro

Who is in the cast of Death of a Cheerleader?

Death of a Cheerleader stars Aubrey Shea as Bridget Moretti, Melanie Rose Wilson as Jennifer Moretti and Sarah Dugdale as Kelly Locke, among 22 credited actors.

Does Death of a Cheerleader have a post-credit scene?

No. Death of a Cheerleader has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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