I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead (2024) – Written Review

“I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead,” starring Letoya Luckett starts off complicated and intriguing, but as it has to answer questions, it devolves into your usually over the top and messy drama.

Plot Summary

It has been more than five years since Vikki was pronounced dead, but she has found her way back to her husband, Leo, and has learned he has re-married to a woman named Layla. Layla is a piece of work, but she knows there is only so much she can say or do to Vikki, so from tolerating Vikki working at her restaurant to her favorite beauty salon, she keeps her mouth shut.

However, as Vikki begins demanding money Leo got and spent because Vikkie was assumed dead, she begins messing with Layla’s lifestyle and Leo’s finances, and the question of how to stop her from blackmailing them both forces them into an offensive position.

Noted Cast and Characters Of “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead”

Letoya Luckett As Vikki

Vikki is a young woman who, years ago, was just a simple waitress trying to earn a living while taking care of her sick father. She fell in love with a delivery man she thought was sweet, got married quickly, and thought she’d live the rest of her life in bliss. However, while on a hike, she is kidnapped, and her life is forever altered.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Greenleaf: Season 3.”

Sherilyn Allen As Layla

Layla is Leo’s second wife, and she demands the finer things in life. Note that she isn’t necessarily a gold digger trying to stay home and just spend his money but she also doesn’t have the business acumen or social skills to make it on her own.

Jamall Johnson As Leo

Leo is a former delivery man who, thanks to his first wife being assumed dead, came into millions of dollars, which has slowly but surely slipped away due to Layla.

Sasha Hayden As Karin

Karin owns a beauty shop that Vikki goes to looking for work. Without any type of identification, she offers Vikki a place to stay instead and becomes one of her first friends.

Max Montesi As Mark

Mark works as the manager of The Chameleon, Layla’s restaurant and bar. It is floundering because the aesthetic is cute, but the food is disgusting.

Angela “Blac Chyna” White As Gina

Layla’s usual nail technician, Gina thinks something is up with Vikki.

• The actor is also known for their role in “Forever Us.”

Review

Our Rating: Mixed (Divisive)

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Highlights

How Torn You Can Feel About Vikki Coming Back Into Leo’s Life

In the beginning of “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead,” there was a layer of complexity when it came to Vikki’s return. Leo moved on, and yes, Layla may have been a terrible wife compared to what we’re told about Vikki, but he chose her nonetheless. So when it comes to Vikki wanting help and money and Leo being bled dry trying to keep his wife happy, you see him as stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Yes, a lot of his new life came from Vikki’s death, but he can’t reverse all that he paid for upon the recent discovery that she is alive. Then, to further create issues, as Vikki reminds Leo why he fell in love with her, you aren’t sure whether to maybe root for them to get back together, damn Layla, or feel pity for Layla since she is pregnant with Leo’s baby.

It’s messy but compelling until the film starts to unravel.

On The Fence

Unsure How To Feel About Vikki’s Escape And Recovery Journey

At times, it can feel like “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead” could have made a good mini-series. Karin, who owns the shop Layla goes to for her nails, seemed like she could have developed more, especially as a friend and savior of sorts for Vikki. Add in Gina’s suspicion of Vikki and that storyline dying off, and you see a lot that could have been explored further.

Heck, when it comes to Mark, who raises all kinds of red flags and has feelings for Vikki? Again, there is a character who could have been connected to the main storyline and really done something noteworthy over the course of maybe three to four episodes.

How Things End

Unfortunately, all good things have to come to an end, and “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead” decided it would be best to go a bit off the rails a bit. Without ruining the ending, let’s say it took a well-trodden road on how to wrap things up, and because of that, it makes all the things the film could have done to be different really stand out.

Now, I won’t say the ending ruins the film, but it can leave you rolling your eyes a bit.

General Information

Film Length

1 Hour 27 Minutes

Date Released

August 3, 2024

How To Watch “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead”

Lifetime

Where To Watch

Stream Here

Distributor

Lifetime

Director(s)

Troy Scott

Writer(s)

Tamara T. Gregory

Based On Work By

Minka Kent

Genre(s)

Crime, Drama, Thriller

Content Rating

Rated TV-14

Content Information

• Dialog: Nothing Notable
• Violence: Gun Violence, Family Violence, Blood, Torture, Notable Fight Scene(s)
• Sexual Content: None
• Miscellaneous: Drinking, Vomiting (Sounds)

Why Is The Movie Named “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead?”

Because Layla thought Leo’s wife, Vikki, was dead.

Is There A Mid-Credit or Post-Credit Scene For “I Thought My Husband’s Wife Was Dead?”

No.