Dorothea is a 2025 American crime horror thriller film directed by Chad Ferrin from a screenplay by Chad Ferrin. The film premiered on movie platforms on November 4, 2025.
Dorothea is a dark crime horror film inspired by the true story of serial killer Dorothea Puente, a woman who turned kindness into a weapon. The film, directed by Chad Ferrin, combines elements of true crime and psychological horror to create a disturbing portrait of a seemingly harmless elderly lady hiding a monstrous secret.
The story revolves around the final days of Dorotea Puente, who, lying on her deathbed in prison, begins to reveal details about her past. Through flashbacks, the film traces how a life marked by trauma, manipulation and despair gradually turns into a terrifying series of crimes. At the center is her boarding house - a supposedly safe haven for vulnerable people, which in fact turns out to be a trap. Gradually, the viewer enters the psychological world of the heroine, where the boundaries between care and control, between compassion and cruelty begin to blur. The film builds tension not through cheap effects, but through the feeling that evil can have the most ordinary face.
Chad Ferrin uses a slow, almost hypnotic pace that allows the tension to build gradually. The camera often remains static, emphasizing the claustrophobic atmosphere of the boarding house and the sense of inevitability. The direction is more focused on psychological suggestion than outright horror, something that brings the film closer to the more artistic representatives of the genre. The visual style is raw and devoid of unnecessary gloss, which contributes to the documentary feel of the story.
Susan Pryver (Dorothea) – an extremely strong central performance. She portrays the heroine as both a charming and deeply disturbing figure – a woman who can inspire trust and fear at the same time.
Pat McNeely – presents an alternative, more realistic and harsh image of Dorothea, reinforcing the documentary aspect of the story.
Ezra Buzzington – in the role of police chief, he brings stability and realism to the investigative line.
Robert Raine – as Detective Lawrence Kaufman, builds an image of a man who gradually realizes the scale of what is happening.
Ginger Lynn – adds a human dimension through her role as one of the victims, showing the vulnerability of those around Dorothea.
The cast works well as an ensemble, but the film undeniably belongs to Pryver, who carries all the weight of the narrative.
Dorothea is not a typical horror film, but rather a disturbing psychological exploration of evil hidden behind a mask of goodness. The film may seem slow to viewers looking for dynamics, but it offers a strong impact for those who appreciate atmosphere and depth. It is a story that lingers in the mind - not because of the gore, but because of the idea that the most terrifying monster can seem completely ordinary.
