When Lindsay Lohan’s Career Took a Turn for the Worse
Lindsay Lohan’s career was soaring after the critical and financial success of both Freaky Friday and Mean Girls. However, personal issues and a series of poor choices led to her career stalling. One of the most significant missteps was the 2007 mystery thriller, I Know Who Killed Me, which turned out to be a disaster. The film marked Lohan’s first fully adult role, and it was a far cry from her previous successes.
The Premise: A Promising Start Gone Wrong
I Know Who Killed Me follows Aubrey Fleming, a young woman who becomes a kidnapping victim. When she is found barely alive, she claims to be Dakota Moss, not Aubrey. The premise raises questions about Aubrey’s mental state, her intentions, and the truth behind her claim.
The film’s premise had potential, but it was squandered by poor writing and direction. The big twist reveals that Aubrey and Dakota are twin sisters with a psychic link, allowing them to feel each other’s pain. This absurd plot twist raises more questions than it answers, and the film fails to address them convincingly.
Plot Holes and Convoluted Storytelling
One glaring issue is the fact that the twins’ mother is completely unaware of Dakota’s existence. The film attempts to explain this away, but it only adds to the confusion. A simpler solution would have been to remove the psychic link between the sisters and focus on a more grounded storyline, such as Dakota being stalked by an obsessed customer at her strip club.
Another issue is the inclusion of the twins’ parents in the story. The film could have easily removed them from the plot, making the twist more believable. Aubrey could have been a loner with a boyfriend, while Dakota could have had a foster family that she alienated with her lifestyle. The story didn’t need to be so convoluted.
Lost in Its Own Cleverness
I Know Who Killed Me tries too hard to be clever, resulting in a laughably bad film. The focus should have been on Aubrey/Dakota and finding the true kidnapper, while maintaining the mystery surrounding their identity. The boyfriend could have played a more significant role, growing suspicious of his girlfriend’s sudden change in behavior and launching his own investigation.
Modern technology, such as DNA testing, could have been used to address the identity issue, but the film could have played with this aspect as well. Ultimately, I Know Who Killed Me is a prime example of a film that tries too hard to be smart, only to end up as a convoluted mess.
A Missed Opportunity for a Compelling Thriller
Had the film undergone another draft to eliminate the ridiculous plot holes and focus on a more grounded story, I Know Who Killed Me could have been a genuinely engaging thriller. Instead, it serves as a cautionary tale for filmmakers and a low point in Lindsay Lohan’s career. With a more focused narrative and a better understanding of its own limitations, the film could have been something truly special, rather than the absurdity it turned out to be.
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