You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Lifetime or LMN on a rainy Sunday and you stumble upon a thriller that's just... chef’s kiss levels of dramatic? That’s exactly how most people find A Daughter’s Revenge. It’s one of those 2018 gems that keeps resurfacing because the plot is basically every parent’s worst nightmare and every scorned daughter’s ultimate fantasy. It’s messy. It’s tense. Honestly, it’s the kind of movie where you spend half the time yelling at the screen because the characters are making such questionable life choices.
But what really keeps the movie in rotation isn't just the "I'm coming for you" plotline. It's the people. The cast of A Daughter's Revenge really leaned into the melodrama in a way that makes the whole thing feel weirdly authentic despite the over-the-top premise. You’ve probably seen these faces in a dozen other TV movies or procedural dramas, but here, they create a specific kind of synergy.
The Lead Duo: Jessica Sipos and Sierra Wooldridge
At the center of this storm is Elle, played by Jessica Sipos. If she looks familiar, it’s probably because you’ve seen her in Chesapeake Shores or maybe Slasher. Sipos has this specific ability to play "quietly unhinged" really well. In this movie, she’s the one pulling the strings, fresh out of jail and convinced that her stepfather is the reason her mother ended her own life. She doesn’t just want an apology; she wants a total systemic teardown of his life. It’s a lot. Sipos plays it with this cold, calculating energy that makes you kind of scared of her but also—if we’re being real—you sort of get where she’s coming from.
Then there's Anna. Poor, unsuspecting Anna. Sierra Wooldridge takes on this role. Anna is the friend from jail who gets caught up in Elle’s web. Wooldridge has a massive filmography, including spots in Designated Survivor and The Bold Type. In this film, she’s the "muscle" or the instrument of the revenge, but she brings a vulnerability to it. You can see her wrestling with the morality of what they’re doing. It’s not just a flat "bad girl" role. She makes Anna feel like a person who just made some really bad friends at a really bad time in her life.
Why the Chemistry Works
The dynamic between Sipos and Wooldridge is the engine of the movie. Most revenge thrillers rely on a hero and a villain, but here, the lines are blurred. Is Elle a villain? Is she a victim? The way they interact feels like a toxic friendship fueled by shared trauma.
Most people don't realize that filming these types of thrillers usually happens on a breakneck schedule. We're talking maybe 12 to 15 days. To get that level of intensity in such a short window requires actors who can hit their marks and find the "vibe" instantly. Sipos and Wooldridge have that. They don't waste time.
Linden Ashby and the Supporting Players
You can't talk about the cast of A Daughter's Revenge without mentioning Linden Ashby. If you were a teenager in the 90s, he’s Johnny Cage from Mortal Kombat. If you’re a 2010s TV fan, he’s Sheriff Stilinski from Teen Wolf. He plays David, the stepfather who is the target of all this simmering rage.
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Ashby is great because he doesn't play David as a cartoon villain. He plays him as a guy who thinks he’s lived a decent life, which makes the revelation of his past mistakes hit harder. He brings a level of "dad energy" that makes the thriller aspects feel much more grounded. It’s that classic casting move where you bring in a veteran actor to anchor the younger leads, and Ashby delivers exactly what’s needed.
Beyond the main trio, you have:
- Claire Rankin as Janet. You've seen her in everything from Stargate: Atlantis to Molly's Game. She brings a grounded, worried-mother energy that contrasts with the chaos.
- Sarah Fisher plays Samantha. Fisher is a staple in the Canadian acting scene, especially if you remember her from Degrassi: The Next Generation.
- Ted Whittall shows up as well. He’s one of those "I know that guy" actors who has appeared in Smallville and Suits.
The Creative Force Behind the Camera
It wasn't just the actors. Anthony Lefresne directed this, and he’s someone who knows the "thriller" genre inside and out. He’s worked on projects like The Perfect Soulmate and Deadly Deception. The script was handled by John Serge, who specializes in these high-stakes, domestic-noir style stories.
There's a specific language to these movies. The pacing has to be fast. The reveals have to happen right before a commercial break (or where a commercial break would be if you're streaming it). The cast of A Daughter's Revenge seems to intuitively understand this rhythm. They don't overplay the mystery; they let the tension build naturally.
Why People Still Search for This Cast
Honestly? It's the "Lifetime Effect." These movies have a massive second life on streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or the Lifetime Movie Club. You finish a movie, you think, "Wait, where do I know that girl from?" and suddenly you're down a Wikipedia rabbit hole.
Also, the performances in this specific film are a bit more elevated than your standard "movie of the week." Jessica Sipos, in particular, has a screen presence that feels like she should be in a big-budget A24 psychological thriller. She doesn't phone it in. She’s fully committed to the bit, and that makes a difference.
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What Happened to the Actors Since 2018?
Since the movie dropped, the cast hasn't exactly slowed down.
Jessica Sipos moved on to bigger arcs in shows like Legends of Tomorrow and continued her run on Chesapeake Shores. She’s become a bit of a queen in the TV movie world but keeps dipping into more genre-heavy stuff.
Sierra Wooldridge has been incredibly busy. She appeared in the Coroner TV series and has a steady stream of credits in both TV movies and more prestige-leaning Canadian productions. She’s one of those reliable actors who makes every scene better just by being in it.
Linden Ashby is... well, he’s Linden Ashby. He’s a legend. He’s continued working steadily, including reprising his role in the Teen Wolf movie. He seems to enjoy these "man in peril" or "complicated father" roles, and frankly, he’s one of the best at them.
A Closer Look at the Plot's Impact
The reason the cast of A Daughter's Revenge resonated is that the story touches on something very real: the feeling of being gaslit by your own family. When Elle comes home, she’s not just looking for money or a simple "gotcha" moment. She’s trying to reclaim a narrative that was taken from her.
That’s a heavy theme for a movie that people often dismiss as "guilty pleasure" TV. But if you look at the performances, especially in the final act, there’s a lot of emotional weight there. Sipos plays the trauma with a jagged edge that’s actually pretty uncomfortable to watch at times.
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How to Watch and What to Look For
If you’re planning a rewatch or seeing it for the first time, pay attention to the small details in how the cast handles the "con." The way Anna (Wooldridge) integrates herself into David’s life is actually pretty clever writing, and Wooldridge plays the "sweet, helpful assistant" role perfectly before the mask starts to slip.
The movie is usually available on:
- The Lifetime Movie Club app.
- Amazon Prime (often through the Lifetime or LMN add-on channels).
- Live TV airings on LMN (they love a weekend marathon).
Final Insights on the Cast's Legacy
It's easy to write off TV thrillers as "disposable" entertainment, but the cast of A Daughter's Revenge proves that good acting can elevate any premise. They took a story about a vengeful stepdaughter and turned it into a compelling character study about obsession and the fallout of family secrets.
If you're looking for your next "what have I seen them in?" fix, this cast is a great place to start. From Mortal Kombat icons to Degrassi alums, it’s a weirdly perfect cross-section of TV history.
To get the most out of your experience with these actors, check out Jessica Sipos in Slasher for a completely different vibe, or revisit Linden Ashby’s earlier work to see just how much range he’s maintained over thirty years in the industry. Staying updated on their latest projects through sites like IMDb or following their social media often reveals smaller, independent projects that don't get the same marketing push as these Lifetime hits but feature equally strong performances.---