Tyler Perry's the Family That Preys

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Tyler Perry's the Family That Preys

PG-13

2008

1h 51m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

53%

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40 Reviews

61%

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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.

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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.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

Sep 12, 2017

B+

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

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Nell Minow

Beliefnet

Sep 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.

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Sam Adams

AV Club

Sep 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.

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Richard Propes

TheIndependentCritic.com

Sep 7, 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.

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Tim Brayton

Antagony & Ecstasy

Feb 9, 2012

6/10

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

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Dave White

Movies.com

Apr 4, 2011

2/5

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alan g

@agenser Sep 18, 2025

Sucky movie horrible confusing plot.

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donnie m

@RT64375194 Jun 1, 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!

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Khadija B

@RT19362188 Mar 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.

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Ash P

@AshParth Nov 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.

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Becky H

@Leah8979 Apr 15, 2021

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

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uncle p

@RT30466687 Jun 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.

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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

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