Breaking The Girls May 2026

: The film explicitly references novelist Patricia Highsmith . In a subtle nod, Sara keeps a pet snail, a tribute to Highsmith’s real-life obsession with the creatures.

Breaking the Girls (2012) is a psychological thriller that serves as a modern, "lipstick-lesbian" reimagining of Alfred Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train . Directed by ( But I’m a Cheerleader ) and co-written by Guinevere Turner , the film blends neo-noir atmosphere with a dark, manipulative exploration of female friendship and betrayal. The Plot: A Deadly Pact Breaking the Girls

Enter (Madeline Zima), a wealthy and enigmatic wild child with her own demons. The two strike up an intense, sexually charged friendship. During a night of heavy drinking, Alex proposes a "criss-cross" murder pact: she will kill Brooke for Sara if Sara kills Alex’s overbearing stepmother. Sara dismisses the idea as a joke, only to realize too late that Alex has taken the agreement seriously and has already fulfilled her end of the bargain. Key Themes and Character Dynamics : The film explicitly references novelist Patricia Highsmith

Reviews for the film are mixed, often comparing it to Wild Things for its twist-heavy narrative. Directed by ( But I’m a Cheerleader )

: Some reviewers felt the pacing was slow or that the script relied too heavily on "convenient" plot contrivances.

: Its sleek, "golden-hued" cinematography and its commitment to a feminist/lesbian perspective on classic noir tropes.

Ultimately, Breaking the Girls stands as a stylish, queer entry into the "crimes-of-passion" genre, exploring how trauma and loneliness can drive ordinary people toward unthinkable acts.