Serial Mom

Part of the special series JOHN WATERS: THE RESPECTABLE YEARS

Misty Sutphin: “He killed people, Mom.”
Beverly Sutphin: “We all have our bad days.”

Beverly Sutphin (Kathleen Turner) lives the perfect suburban life: a well-kept home, well-behaved children, and an immaculate garden. But behind the façade lurks a woman willing to go very far in the name of proper upbringing. While the neighborhood remains blissfully unaware—grilling and chatting—Beverly begins to punish perceived breaches of decency and order with deadly consequences.

The contrast between outward perfection and inner frenzy takes on a darkly comedic tone, and as media attention grows, the line between genuine outrage and entertainment becomes increasingly blurred.