You've probably seen the headlines or a stray TikTok clip. It’s one of those stories that makes you want to double-check the "Based on a True Story" tag because it feels too dark to be real. But it is. We are talking about the 2024 Lifetime movie Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story, a film that dives headfirst into one of the most disturbing criminal cases in recent American history.
If you are hunting for husband father killer where to watch, you aren't alone. This isn't just another Friday night thriller; it’s a breakdown of the 2018 Knightdale tragedy involving Steven and Katie Pladl. Honestly, it's heavy stuff.
Best Streaming Options for Husband, Father, Killer
Finding where a movie lives across a dozen different apps is a headache. I've checked the current listings, and as of early 2026, you actually have a few solid choices depending on what subscriptions you're already paying for.
Basically, since this is a Lifetime original, that network is your home base.
- Lifetime Movie Club: This is the most direct route. If you have the standalone app, it's there. They usually offer a 7-day free trial if you’re a new user, which is plenty of time to catch the flick.
- Philo: This is a fan favorite for cord-cutters. It carries the Lifetime channel live, and they usually keep the movie in their "On Demand" library for subscribers.
- Hulu + Live TV: If you pay for the live TV tier of Hulu, you can search for it in the interface and stream it immediately.
- Frndly TV: This is one of the cheapest ways to get Lifetime. It’s a budget streaming service that includes the channel in its basic package.
If you don’t want another monthly bill, you can just go the "digital rental" route. You've got Vudu (Fandango at Home), Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, and Google Play. Usually, a rental is about $2.99 or $3.99. Buying it to keep is roughly $4.99.
What Really Happened? The True Story Behind the Movie
You can't talk about the movie without acknowledging the nightmare it’s based on. Most people searching for husband father killer where to watch are doing so because they heard about the "incest murder-suicide" case.
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In 1998, Steven and Alyssa Pladl had a daughter named Katie. They gave her up for adoption. Simple enough, right? Fast forward eighteen years. Katie finds her biological parents through social media. She moves in with them in Virginia.
Then things get weird.
Within months, Steven and Alyssa are separating. Why? Because Steven and his biological daughter, Katie, were having an affair. They actually "got married" in Maryland and had a child together. It’s a level of grooming and manipulation that the movie tries to unpack through the eyes of Alyssa (played by Jackie Cruz).
The ending of the real-life saga is devastating. In April 2018, Steven killed the infant, drove to North Carolina to kill Katie and her adoptive father, and then took his own life. The movie focuses heavily on the red flags Alyssa saw and the systemic failures that allowed this to happen.
Cast and Production Details
Director Elisabeth Röhm (who you might know from Law & Order) took the helm on this one. She has a history of directing these "ripped from the headlines" stories for Lifetime.
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- Jackie Cruz stars as Alyssa Pladl. She brings a lot of grounded emotion to a role that could have easily felt like a caricature.
- Matthew MacCaull plays Steven. He’s terrifyingly effective at playing someone who is both a father and a predator.
- Matreya Scarrwener plays Katie.
The runtime is about 87 minutes. It moves fast. It’s uncomfortable.
Is it on Netflix or Peacock?
Short answer: No.
Usually, people assume every big true crime movie eventually hits Netflix. That hasn't happened here. Because Lifetime is owned by A+E Networks, they tend to keep their content within their own ecosystem or license it to specific partners like Hulu or Disney+.
If you see a link claiming you can watch it on Netflix, it’s probably a scam or a regional thing that doesn't apply to the US. Stick to the official apps.
Why This Movie Specifically?
There are a lot of "killer" movies out there. Why is this one trending?
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It's the psychological aspect. It explores the concept of Genetic Sexual Attraction (GSA), though most experts argue this was a clear case of grooming by a biological parent. The film doesn't just show the violence; it shows the slow-motion train wreck of a family falling apart while the world watches.
Actionable Tips for Viewers
If you're ready to hit play, here’s how to do it efficiently:
Check your Roku Channel or Xfinity Stream first. Sometimes these movies pop up for free with ads if you have a specific cable provider or a smart TV.
If you are using a free trial on Philo or Lifetime Movie Club, set a reminder on your phone to cancel it the next day so you don't get charged the $25+ monthly fee.
Watch with a "palate cleanser" ready. Seriously. This isn't a feel-good movie. After you finish the heavy story of the Pladl family, maybe have a sitcom queued up.
For the most stable stream, Vudu (Fandango at Home) tends to have the best 1080p quality for these Lifetime titles compared to the smaller streaming apps.
To get the most out of the experience, look up the 2018 news reports from Knightdale, NC, after you watch. It helps fill in the gaps that the movie—for legal and pacing reasons—had to leave out.