Unmasking Domestic Suspense: A Critical Examination of Sleeping with the Enemy

Sleeping with the Enemy, 1991

Directed By: Joseph Ruben




"Sleeping with the Enemy" follows, Laura Burney, a beautiful housewife who appears to be happy. Martin Burney, a charming but controlling and violent husband, is the man she is married to. Laura's life is a living nightmare since Martin is oppressive and physically violent when no one is watching. After a particularly vicious assault, Laura decides one day that she can no longer put up with her abusive marriage. She sets up a boating accident and pretends to drown herself, leaving behind her wedding ring and a blood-stained nightgown as evidence. Then Laura takes on a new name, leaves her hometown, and changes the way she looks before going into hiding. Laura starts to reconstruct her life while taking her new name and meets her neighbor Ben Woodward. Once she lands a job as a librarian, she starts to enjoy her newfound independence. A romantic relationship between Laura and Ben eventually forms. Martin, however, starts looking into Laura's disappearance after growing suspicious. He engages a private eye to track her down, and as he gets closer to learning the truth, Laura is forced to live in constant terror of being found out. Martin eventually finds Laura as the tension rises, setting up an exciting and dramatic conclusion when Laura must finally face her abusive husband.

In the movie "Sleeping with the Enemy," there isn't a traditional Plot Device used. However,  Laura Burney's longing for independence and escape from her violent husband, Martin Burney, serves as a plot driver and is the closest thing to a  Plot Device in the film.

The 3 main acts of the film begin with, Laura Burney and her controlling husband Martin Burney in this act.
In order to get away from Martin's abuse, Laura chooses to pretend to die in a boating accident. She carefully organizes her getaway, leaving behind signs that she drowned. Laura takes on a new identity and establishes herself in a new community.

Laura, who is now going by her new name, starts to reconstruct her life. Ben Woodward, a neighbor, and her become acquaintances, which later develops into an intimate relationship. After landing a job as a librarian, Laura begins to enjoy her newfound independence and freedom. Martin begins looking for Laura as he grows suspicious of her disappearance.

Martin's relentless pursuit of Laura in the climactic scene moves him a step closer to learning her secret identity. Martin is dangerously near to discovering her, which causes the tension to rise. Martin finally confronts Laura, setting up an exciting and tense climax. To finally achieve her freedom from her abusive husband, Laura must use her wits and newly discovered strength.

Laura and her husband Martin are locked in an abusive and repressive marriage at the start of the movie. She has experienced both physical and psychological torture. In the course of the film, Laura courageously decides to pose as dead in order to escape her abusive husband. This is where she changes from a victim to a survivor.

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