A Fall from Grace
A Fall from Grace is a 2020 American thriller film written, produced, and directed by Tyler Perry.[1] The plot follows Grace Waters, a devoted schoolteacher played by Crystal Fox, who confesses to murdering her much younger husband Shannon, leading her young public defender Jasmine Bryant, portrayed by Bresha Webb, to investigate doubts about her client's guilt amid a web of deception and hidden motives. Released exclusively on Netflix on January 17, 2020, the film marked Perry's first original project for the streaming service and quickly became one of its most-watched titles, accumulating 26 million household views in its debut week.[2] The ensemble cast includes acclaimed actresses Phylicia Rashad as Jasmine's mother Sarah, Cicely Tyson in a pivotal supporting role, and Mehcad Brooks as Shannon, with Perry himself appearing as Grace's ex-husband James.[3] Produced entirely at Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, the movie exemplifies Perry's signature rapid production approach, having been filmed in just five days to capture its intense, twist-filled narrative.[4] This efficiency allowed for a low-budget execution while emphasizing themes of betrayal, resilience, and the vulnerabilities faced by Black women in relationships and the justice system.[5] Critically, A Fall from Grace met with largely negative reception, earning a 15% approval rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes based on 27 reviews, where it was faulted for melodramatic excess, logical plot holes, and uneven pacing despite strong performances from the lead actresses.[6] In contrast, it found favor with general audiences, securing a 51% audience score on the same platform and demonstrating Perry's enduring appeal through its emotional directness and relatable character arcs.[6] The film's popularity underscored Perry's influence in contemporary Black cinema, blending suspense with social commentary on trust and redemption.[7]Synopsis
Plot
A Fall from Grace centers on Grace Waters, a dedicated bank employee in Danville, Virginia, whose life unravels after a painful divorce from her unfaithful husband, who leaves her for his secretary.[8] Feeling isolated as her son Noah departs for college, Grace is encouraged by her longtime best friend Sarah to venture out socially, leading her to an art gallery where she meets the charismatic younger photographer/artist Shannon DeLong.[9] Their whirlwind romance blossoms rapidly, with Shannon sweeping Grace off her feet through grand gestures and declarations of love, culminating in marriage and Grace selling her home to move into Shannon's secluded house.[10] Soon after, cracks appear in the idyllic relationship as Shannon becomes distant, making secretive late-night phone calls and exhibiting controlling behavior. Grace's suspicions grow when she is suddenly fired from her job for alleged embezzlement, only to discover that Shannon has secretly taken out a second mortgage on her former home using forged documents, draining her savings.[7] In a heated confrontation, Grace catches Shannon in the basement with another woman; enraged, she strikes him repeatedly with a baseball bat, believing she has killed him in self-defense. Panicked, she calls Sarah for help, and Sarah arrives to assist in disposing of the body, but when Grace later checks, the body—and the bat—have vanished, leaving only bloodstains as evidence.[8] Arrested and charged with murder, Grace confesses to the crime but refuses to fight the charges, claiming she acted alone. The case is assigned to novice public defender Jasmine Bryant, who senses inconsistencies in Grace's story and believes she is protecting someone, possibly her son Noah or Sarah. As Jasmine delves deeper through jailhouse interviews and evidence review, she uncovers anomalies, such as surveillance footage showing Grace entering the house alone and the house being listed for sale with interior photos that do not match the crime scene.[9] During the sensational trial, where Grace's confession and blood evidence mount against her, Jasmine cross-examines witnesses, including Sarah, who testifies unflatteringly and wears a necklace that Grace recognizes as Shannon's, planting seeds of doubt about a larger conspiracy.[10] Jasmine's investigation leads her to Sarah's address, disguised as a nursing home called "Forever Young," where she discovers a horrifying secret: a basement filled with chained elderly women who have been kidnapped and held captive as part of an elaborate scam. Sarah reveals herself as Shannon's mother—whose real name is Betty—and Shannon (actually Maurice) is alive and her accomplice; they have been operating this scheme for over two decades, targeting isolated elderly women, forcing them to sign over their assets and Social Security details, then murdering them and assuming their identities to continue the cons, including seducing and robbing middle-aged women like Grace.[7] The duo faked Shannon's death to frame Grace, with Sarah disposing of the "body" to cover their tracks. Captured in the basement, Jasmine fights back as her police officer husband Jordan arrives for a rescue; in the ensuing chaos, Jordan is wounded, but Jasmine shoots and kills Shannon to save him. Sarah escapes custody by assuming a new victim's identity, leaving the door open for future crimes, while Grace is exonerated, her charges dropped, and she reunites with Noah, reaffirming her bond with her son as her true greatest love.[8]Cast
The film stars Crystal Fox as Grace Waters, a woman accused of murdering her husband.[11]Phylicia Rashad portrays Sarah Miller, Grace's close friend and the owner of the apartment building where Grace lives.[11]
Bresha Webb plays Jasmine Bryant, the young public defender assigned to Grace's case.[11]
Mehcad Brooks appears as Shannon DeLong, Grace's second husband and an artist.[11]
Cicely Tyson is cast as Alice, one of Sarah's tenants in the apartment building.[11]
Tyler Perry plays Rory, Jasmine's senior colleague at the public defender's office who assigns her the high-profile case.[11]
McArthur Curtis IV plays Noah Waters, Grace's son.[12]
Richard Lawson plays James, Grace's ex-husband.[12]
The ensemble features veteran actresses Phylicia Rashad and Cicely Tyson alongside rising stars like Bresha Webb, highlighting a mix of established and emerging talent in the thriller genre.[13]