Do I need to see Flowers in the Attic first?

Yes. The entire plot is a direct consequence of the first story. Without that context, the characters' motivations and their 'weird' relationship won't make any sense.

Is the incestuous stuff as bad as the book?

It's a Lifetime movie, so it's less explicit than the novel, but it's still the central romantic conflict. The movie doesn't shy away from the fact that Chris and Cathy are in love.

Is this appropriate for a 13-year-old?

Probably not. Even though it's a TV movie, the themes of suicide and the sibling relationship are very heavy and require a level of maturity that most 13-year-olds haven't reached yet.

Petals on the Wind – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Petals on the Wind

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2014

28%

WISE Score

The Dollanganger kids are out of the attic, but they’ve brought all that trauma—and their weirdly close relationship—into the real world.

Petals on the Wind

movie

NR, 2014

28%

WISE Score

The Dollanganger kids are out of the attic, but they’ve brought all that trauma—and their weirdly close relationship—into the real world.

Jump to

Also rated on

View →

Where to Watch

Loading streaming options...

Where-to-watch data byJustWatch

Screenwise Verdict

If you're looking for a wholesome family night, run the other direction. Petals on the Wind is a campy, dark, and often messy sequel that doubles down on the most controversial aspects of its predecessor. It’s a 'guilty pleasure' watch for adults who grew up on the books, but it’s too heavy and weird for younger teens.

It’s not a 'good' movie by traditional standards—the 47% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes is telling—but it delivers exactly what Lifetime audiences expect: high-stakes drama, questionable choices, and a lot of staring intensely into the distance.

Age Fit

This is strictly for viewers 15 and up. Between the 'forbidden' romance and the heavy themes of abuse and suicide, it’s a Lifetime movie that leans hard into its TV-MA rating.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

The plot centers on trauma-induced revenge and a continuing romantic relationship between siblings. It's the opposite of emotionally healthy modeling.

Imaginative

It follows the gothic melodrama beats of the V.C. Andrews novel, but doesn't offer much in the way of creative spark or original world-building beyond standard soap opera tropes.

Safe

High levels of mature content including incestuous themes, suicide, and psychological abuse. It is intended for an adult audience and is not safe for children.

Enriching

While it explores the long-term effects of childhood trauma, it does so in a sensationalized, 'guilty pleasure' format rather than a truly insightful or educational one.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Rose McIver (of iZombie fame) takes over the lead role of Cathy and actually tries to give the character some emotional depth.
It’s a gothic melodrama fix for fans of the V.C. Andrews books who want to see the revenge arc play out on screen.
The production design and costumes capture that specific 1970s soap opera aesthetic that fans of the genre will appreciate.

⚠

What to Watch For

The incestuous romance between the two main siblings is the core of the story and is portrayed with a level of melodrama that may be deeply uncomfortable.
Multiple scenes involve self-harm and suicide, often used as plot devices to heighten the drama.
The revenge-at-all-costs mentality of the protagonist makes for a very dark, cynical viewing experience.

Conversation Starters

"How does childhood trauma continue to affect the way these characters make decisions ten years later?"
"Can someone ever truly move on from their past if they are focused entirely on getting revenge?"
"Why do you think the siblings find it so hard to form healthy relationships with people outside their family?"

Deep Dive

The Dollanganger Saga Continues

Released in 2014 as a follow-up to the surprise hit adaptation of Flowers in the Attic, this sequel jumps ten years into the future. The kids are grown up, but they aren't exactly well-adjusted. The film attempts to pivot from the 'trapped in a room' horror of the first movie into a sprawling revenge saga that spans several years and locations.

Casting and Camp

The most notable change is the cast. Rose McIver takes over as Cathy, and while she’s a talented actress, she’s hampered by a script that requires her to be both a victim of circumstance and a cold-blooded social climber. The movie leans heavily into the campy, gothic roots of V.C. Andrews' writing. If you aren't familiar with the source material, the central plot point—the ongoing romantic attraction between brother and sister—will likely be a dealbreaker.

Why it struggles

Unlike the first film, which had a claustrophobic, fairy-tale-gone-wrong energy, Petals feels like a rushed soap opera. It tries to cover too much ground in its runtime, leading to character motivations that flip-flop every ten minutes. It’s the kind of movie you watch to see how far they’ll actually go with the 'taboo' elements, rather than because you’re invested in the artistic merit of the filmmaking.

What Parents Ask

Stills

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Petals on the Wind? Put this WISE score on your site