Tyler Perry's the Family That Preys

Play trailer

Tyler Perry's the Family That Preys

PG-13

2008

1h 51m

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

54%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Despite their differences in social class, Charlotte (Kathy Bates) and Alice (Alfre Woodard) are good friends for many years. Then secrets, greed and scandal surrounding both their families throw the women's lives into turmoil. Charlotte and Alice set out on a road trip across the country, hoping to gain perspective and save the situation from ruin.

Watch on Fandango

Stream Now

Critics Consensus

Tyler Perry's The Family that Preys treads the filmmaker's established terrain of family loyalty and moral uprightness, though the occasionally predictable plot slides forward, aided by an excess of soapy melodrama.

Read Critics Reviews

Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

09/12/2017

B+

Though the movie at times flowed like a soap opera with its dramatic turns and pregnant pauses, it kept your attention.

Go to Full Review

Nell Minow

Beliefnet

09/19/2008

B+

It has Tyler Perry's trademark trio: sincerity, spirituality, and story. And if he passes on that other "s" -- subtlety -- that's all right.

Go to Full Review

Sam Adams

AV Club

09/15/2008

C+

While it's wonderful to see actresses as shamefully underemployed as Woodard and Bates on the big screen, even they can't make sense of [these] incoherent characters.

Go to Full Review

Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

09/07/2020

3.0/4.0

While Perry, much like Spike Lee, seems to have his finger on the pulse of the black community, his storylines and themes are universal.

Go to Full Review

Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

02/09/2012

6/10

Whatever its other sins, the movie cannot be accused of wanting for ambition or scope.

Go to Full Review

Dave White

Movies.com

04/04/2011

2/5

Read all reviews

alan g

@agenser Sep 18

Sucky movie horrible confusing plot.

See more

donnie m

@RT64375194 06/01/2024

i love Kathy Bates and she's great in any movie she's in and this is one of her best but Tyler Perrys hair? and he smiles no matter what he's saying-really weird and Chris-if he was my husband-i'd be embarrassed too, he's 'dumb as a box of rocks' but still a good movie.....oh yeah-Alfrie Woodard-great job!

See more

Khadija B

@RT19362188 03/14/2024

The critics are wrong again. This is definitely one of Tyler Perry's better movies. Yeah it's a little melodramatic but it's still a great movie. Kathy Bates is brilliant and Alfre Woodard is really, really good as well.

See more

Ash P

@AshParth 11/10/2023

I'm a fan of Tyler Parry's works and this is one of his best works. I mean, out of all of his movies, this is one of his best works. Best parts are always hands down when Cathy Bates and Alfre Woodard hang out even as if they're best friends in real life. I'd have to honestly say my pet peeve would have to be a little too many plotlines. Granted, they lead up to the main conclusion, but you'd have to really pay attention if you want an overwhelming soap opera drama like this movie delivers. Good acting, good writing and a barrel full of laughs as this is one of his best works. 9/10.

See more

Becky H

@Leah8979 04/15/2021

Wow! Great dramatic story that's relatable to All!! So moving and the life lessons are gems.

See more

uncle p

@RT30466687 06/23/2020

Story/Screenplay: (3.5/5) Tyler Perry stories tend to be predictable, but this one was less so. Perhaps because I was expecting one thing and something else was delivered, this story stands out. On its own merits, it was somewhat interesting and worth watching. Duration/Tempo: (3/5) At 1 hour and 51 minutes, it's an average length movie that felt a bit longer. Cast & Crew: (3.5/5) Good cast. Alfre Woodard, Kathy Bates, Sanaa Lathan, and Cole Hauser were solid. Summary: (3.5/5) The story and cast were good enough, but the film felt a bit long. A borderline thumbs up.

See more

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

POST RATING

Tyler Perry

Director

Kathy Bates

Charlotte

Alfre Woodard

Alice

Tyler Perry

Ben

Cole Hauser

William

Sanaa Lathan

Andrea

Not Easily Broken

31%

67%

Not Easily Broken

Watchlist

I've Loved You So Long

89%

85%

I've Loved You So Long

Watchlist

Seven Pounds

26%

75%

Seven Pounds

Watchlist

TRAILER

for Seven Pounds

Evening

28%

48%

Evening

Watchlist

American Violet

75%

79%

American Violet

Watchlist

Discover more movies and TV shows.

View More

Box Office Guru Wrapup: Jackson Debuts Ahead of the Race

Box Office Guru Wrapup: Coen Brothers Ring in a New Weekend at the Box Office

Box Office Guru Preview: Pacino and De Niro Team Up For Action

View more photos

Synopsis

Despite their differences in social class, Charlotte (Kathy Bates) and Alice (Alfre Woodard) are good friends for many years. Then secrets, greed and scandal surrounding both their families throw the women's lives into turmoil. Charlotte and Alice set out on a road trip across the country, hoping to gain perspective and save the situation from ruin.

Director: Tyler Perry
Producer: Tyler Perry, Reuben Cannon
Screenwriter: Tyler Perry
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Tyler Perry Company
Rating: PG-13 (Brief Violence|Thematic Material|Sexual References)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 12, 2008, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 26, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $37.0M
Runtime: 1h 51m