Dangerous Intentions 1995

Thriller

Drama

Runtime

96 mins

Language

English

Directed by

Paul A. Kaufman

Made by

The Kaufman Company

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Dangerous Intentions Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Dangerous Intentions (1995). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.

Beth Williamson (Donna Mills) had endured years of abusive treatment from her husband, Tim Williamson (Corbin Bernsen) and kept the bruises hidden from her young daughter. She managed to shield Laurie Williamson (Alexandra Purvis) from the worst of it, preserving a fragile sense of normalcy as she tried to protect her family.

When Beth finally reaches a breaking point, she and Laurie move to the safety of Beth’s parents’ home. There, Beth and her sister, Terri (Allison Hossack), help out with her dad Andrew (Ken Pogue) and step-mother Alice (Anna Ferguson), hoping to buy time to figure things out. A tense phone call from Tim pulls Beth back toward danger, but she bluntly refuses to return, insisting she’s not finished fixing things with Alice’s hair before she leaves. Later that night, Beth and Laurie return home briefly, only to face Tim’s escalating volatility as he destroys food, belittles Beth, and even damages the house, leaving Beth in tears and cleaning up the mess.

Behind Tim’s back, Beth makes a perilous decision to remove Laurie from the home and flee to Andrew and Alice’s house. Tim tracks them, and in a violent confrontation, he beats Beth after forcing Andrew to the ground and calling the police. Tim eventually allows himself to be arrested, and Beth is rushed to the hospital by a shaken Alice and Andrew. Laurie arrives, and Beth comforts her, reminding her that Tim will not be able to hurt them again.

In the aftermath, Beth faces a new reality where she must consider testifying in court as Tim is released from jail. She fears public attention could reveal her location to Tim. A public relocation follows: Beth moves with Laurie to a fresh start, this time in Roseville, where Beth makes a visible change—cutting her hair short and dying it a bold red.

As Beth rebuilds, she meets a kindred spirit in Kaye Ferrar (Robin Givens), a battered woman who has spent years hiding from her violent husband, Joe Ferrar (Tracey Olson). The two women decide to live together with their children, forming a protective home where they can support one another. Their fragile peace is shattered when Joe Ferrar finds them and fatally stabs Kaye, right before Beth’s eyes. The tragedy forces Beth to confront the harder path of seeking justice, even as she worries about exposing herself and Laurie to further danger.

Beth and Laurie begin anew in a Roseville house after Beth’s divorce, trying to reclaim a sense of safety and independence. Beth cuts her hair even shorter and embraces a new look as a symbol of their fresh start. Alice steps in to keep Tim away, reiterating that he has to respect their boundaries.

The danger isn’t over, though. While Laurie is at school, Tim resurfaces to stalk Beth. Beth pleads with him to spare her daughter, and she uses a brief signal—a porch light—to alert a neighbor. The neighbor’s quick call to the police disrupts Tim’s attempt to confront Beth, who then stands up to him, slapping him and telling him to go to hell. In a tense standoff, Tim tries to pull a gun, but law enforcement arrives just in time, ordering him to drop the weapon. Realizing he has failed to reclaim Laurie or harm Beth, Tim surrenders again, is handcuffed, and hauled away.

Beth and Laurie survive the ordeal and are joined by support from Alice, Andrew, and Terri as they begin to rebuild their lives together. The film closes on a note of cautious optimism, underscoring resilience, sisterhood, and the promise of a safer future for Beth and Laurie.

Dangerous Intentions Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Dangerous Intentions (1995) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.

Beth endures Tim's abuse and hides the bruises

For years, Beth endures Tim's battering while she hides every bruise from Laurie. She carries the pain in silence, shielding her daughter from the full horror of the marriage. The constant threat of violence weighs heavily on her daily life.

years after their wedding Beth's home

Beth and Laurie move to her parents' house

Beth decides to escape the abuse and moves with Laurie to her parents' home. She hopes the visit will be temporary, keeping Laurie safe while she figures out the future. A phone call from Tim interrupts the quiet, and Beth refuses to return, telling him she is not finished fixing Alice's hair before she goes back.

afternoon Beth and Laurie's parents' home

Tim apologizes and pleases Beth after returning

That night, Tim apologizes and tries to placate Beth in hopes of rekindling the relationship. Beth remains wary, but she considers his words before deciding how to proceed. The moment underscores how fragile the peace still is.

that night Beth and Laurie's parents' home

Tim's violent outburst forces Beth to flee with Laurie

Tim's temper explodes again as he destroys food, belittles Beth, and shatters a window. Beth, with Laurie, escapes to Andrew and Alice's house to seek safety. Andrew calls the police, Tim locks the door during the confrontation, but Beth and Laurie are eventually protected as Tim surrenders and is hauled away to jail, and Beth is taken to the hospital for injuries.

that night Andrew and Alice's house; hospital

Tim is released and Beth asserts she wants a divorce

In a public building after his release, Tim confronts Beth and presses for reconciliation, but she makes clear she wants a divorce. He tries to intimidate her and even grabs her keys, threatening that she will lose Laurie if she resists. Terri intercedes by telling Tim to leave Beth alone, but the threat of his retaliation lingers.

after release Public building

Tim haunts Terri's home and sets it on fire

Tim resumes terrorizing Beth, tracking her to her sister Terri's home. He sets Terri's house on fire, endangering everyone inside. Terri and her husband manage to extinguish the blaze and save the household, while Beth remains a target of Tim's fury.

that night Terri's home

Beth and Laurie seek safety at a protective shelter

Beth and Laurie flee to a protective shelter to escape Tim's reach and begin to rebuild their lives. There, Beth befriends Kaye Ferrar, another battered woman hiding from an abusive husband. The two mothers decide to move into a shared house to look after their children and gain a measure of independence.

shortly after Protective shelter; planned shared house

Kaye Ferrar is murdered; Beth must testify

Kaye Ferrar is stabbed to death by her husband Joe in front of Beth, shattering her sense of safety. Officials inform Beth that she must testify against Joe, who is arrested for murder. Beth fears that testifying will pull her into the public eye and reveal her own whereabouts to Tim.

soon after Shelter

Beth and Laurie start over in Roseville

Beth and Laurie move to Roseville to begin anew after the divorce. Beth cuts her hair short and colors it red, signaling a fresh start and a break from the past. Alice reminds Tim to stay away and bans him from her house, offering Beth a safer environment.

after the move Roseville

Tim stalks Beth again; a dangerous confrontation unfolds

Tim returns to torment Beth, arriving while Laurie is at school. Beth signals for help by turning on the porch light, and a neighbor intervenes while calling the police. Tim tries to overpower Beth with physical violence and a gun, but officers arrive, and he is forced to drop the weapon.

during the day of the incident Beth's new home and surrounding street

Police intervene; Tim is arrested and Beth is rescued

Police arrive as Tim's gun is finally secured, and he is arrested. Beth and Laurie are transported to the hospital by ambulance, where they begin to heal. Tim is sent back to jail, and the immediate danger to Beth and Laurie is removed.

immediate aftermath Outside Beth's home; hospital

A new, safer life for Beth and Laurie

Beth and Laurie live together in a stable life with support from Alice, Andrew, and Terri, who visit and provide ongoing care. They have reclaimed their independence and built a home free from Tim's abuse. The film closes on a hopeful note for their future.

after the events With family and at their new home

Dangerous Intentions Characters

Explore all characters from Dangerous Intentions (1995). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.

Beth Williamson (Donna Mills)

Beth is a mother who endures years of abuse from her husband Tim. She conceals bruises from her daughter Laurie and hides the violence from family, showing resilience and practicality. She ultimately seeks safety for herself and Laurie by leaving Tim, first to her parents' home and then to a shelter, planning a hopeful life free from fear.

💪 Resilient 🏠 Protective 🧭 Safety-seeking

Tim Williamson (Corbin Bernsen)

Tim is controlling and violent, escalating his abuse and manipulating Beth. He stalks, destroys property, and attempts to reclaim Beth and Laurie, escalating to threats with a gun. His actions drive the central conflict and the danger that motivates Beth to seek protection.

🗡️ Violent ⚖️ Controlling 🕵️ Stalker

Laurie Williamson (Alexandra Purvis)

Laurie is Beth and Tim’s daughter, a child who witnesses the abuse and experiences fear and confusion. She accompanies her mother through moves for safety and relies on protective adults to guide her. Her presence anchors the emotional stakes and the urgency of securing a safer life.

👧 Child 🧭 Dependent 🛡️ Protected

Terri (Allison Hossack)

Terri is Beth’s sister who provides practical help and emotional support during the crisis. She plays a key role in assisting Beth and Laurie and in managing family dynamics under strain. Her presence offers a sense of familial solidarity amid danger.

🤝 Supportive 👪 Family

Kaye Ferrar (Robin Givens)

Kaye is a fellow battered woman whom Beth befriends at the shelter. Their bond provides mutual strength, and Kaye’s experience highlights the shared realities of survivors. Her further arc, including tragedy, deepens the emotional impact of seeking protection.

🤝 Friendship 🛡️ Survivor

Joe Ferrar (Tracey Olson)

Joe is Kaye’s abusive husband who persists in stalking and violence. His actions intensify the threat to Beth and Kaye and culminate in a murder indictment that tests the resilience and safety of the survivors.

🧨 Threat 🗡️ Abuser

Andrew (Andrew Wheeler)

Andrew is Beth’s father or father figure who, along with his wife Alice, provides shelter and support during Beth’s crisis. He represents the protective, steady presence of family in times of danger.

👨‍👧 Family support 🛡️ Shelter

Alice (Anna Ferguson)

Alice is Andrew’s wife and Beth’s step-mother who welcomes Beth and Laurie into their home. She contributes to the safety net around Beth and her daughter and reinforces the theme of community care.

👩‍👧 Family warmth 🏠 Hosting

Dangerous Intentions Settings

Learn where and when Dangerous Intentions (1995) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.

Time period

Contemporary

The events take place in a modern-era setting, focusing on present-day responses to domestic violence. The narrative emphasizes the roles of shelters, police intervention, and survivor support networks. It portrays a current social context where seeking help and rebuilding a life after abuse is possible, though fraught with ongoing risk.

Location

Roseville, Domestic Violence Shelter

The story unfolds in a quiet suburban setting of Roseville, where Beth seeks safety for her and her daughter. It contrasts the safety of a domestic violence shelter with the danger that follows from Tim. Early on, Beth retreats to her parents' home, then moves to a shelter to build a protective life away from abuse. The setting highlights both the threat of home violence and the refuge found in supportive communities.

🏙️ Suburban town 🛡️ Shelter 🤝 Community support

Dangerous Intentions Themes

Discover the main themes in Dangerous Intentions (1995). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.

💪

Resilience

Beth’s arc centers on resilience in the face of sustained abuse. The story traces her gradual reclaiming of agency, from hiding bruises to taking bold steps for her and Laurie’s safety. Her decisions to leave, protect her daughter, and pursue a new life demonstrate inner strength. The theme underscores that survival often requires courage, persistence, and hope.

🛡️

Protection

Protection is a core concern, realized through Beth’s escape to her parents’ home and subsequently to a shelter. Police involvement and the threat of Tim’s violence frame the pursuit of safety as both a personal and systemic effort. The shelter environment is depicted as a controlled space where safety planning and support can take root. The narrative emphasizes that protection is achieved through a combination of personal action and community resources.

🤝

Support

Support networks play a crucial role in Beth’s journey, including Terri, Andrew, and Alice’s hospitality, as well as Kaye Ferrar’s friendship at the shelter. Beth and Kaye form a bond that anchors them amid danger, while Terri’s aid and the broader survivor community contribute to practical and emotional resilience. The film portrays testimony, shared resources, and mutual care as key to breaking the cycle of abuse.

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Dangerous Intentions Spoiler-Free Summary

Discover the spoiler-free summary of Dangerous Intentions (1995). Get a concise overview without any spoilers.

In a world where shattered dreams leave no refuge, the film unfolds in a gritty, intimate landscape that feels both ordinary and suffocating. The atmosphere is heavy with quiet tension, a constant reminder that safety can be as fragile as a whispered promise. Every hallway, every modest home becomes a stage for an unseen battle, and the lingering sense that nowhere is truly out of reach sets the tone for a story about survival and the fierce protectiveness of a mother.

Beth Williamson has spent years masking bruises and fear behind a veneer of normalcy, shielding her young daughter Laurie from the volatility of her husband Tim Williamson. The marriage is a volatile undercurrent that threatens to erupt at any moment, turning everyday moments into fragile negotiations. As the pressure builds, Beth reaches a breaking point, prompting a desperate move toward a place that once offered the illusion of safety—her parents’ house.

There, the support of her sister Terri and the steady presence of her father Andrew and step‑mother Alice create a tentative sanctuary. The family’s home becomes a temporary bulwark against an ever‑looming threat, while the lingering phone calls and shadowed glances hint at a predator who refuses to be left behind. The narrative hints at choices that could tip the balance between confinement and freedom, without revealing the outcomes of those decisions.

Amid this turbulence, Beth encounters Kaye Ferrar, a woman whose own experience of abuse mirrors her own, and together they begin to forge a fragile alliance anchored in shared resilience. Their tentative community suggests that solidarity may offer a path forward, even as the specter of a relentless stalker hangs over them. The film balances stark realism with a quiet, determined hope, inviting the audience to wonder how far a mother will go to protect her child when every doorway could be a trap.

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