Lisa 1990

The film begins with a single woman returning home from work, only to discover a chilling message: “I’m here in your apartment and I’m going to kill you.” Just as she processes the threat, a masked man, D.W. Moffett, silences her with a hand over her mouth, dragging her into her bedroom, which has been ominously arranged for a romantic evening—complete with wine and candles. He is the notorious “Candlelight Killer,” a serial murderer on the loose in L.A., about to claim yet another victim.

After the opening credits have rolled, the scene shifts to a Catholic high school, where 14-year-old Lisa (played by Staci Keanan) and her best friend Wendy (portrayed by Tanya Fenmore) rush into the girls’ restroom after class to change out of their uniforms. The girls have turned their interest in attractive, single men—specifically those in their 20s and 30s—into a game, snapping pictures for their fantasy scrapbook. They soon encounter an ideal subject when they spot a man coming out of his underground garage in a sleek convertible. While Wendy distracts him, Lisa captures the moment with her camera before they flee, leaving the bewildered man behind.

Later at Wendy’s house, as they catalog their new photograph, a phone call interrupts. Wendy receives an invite from a boy she likes to go on a date, which includes his friend suggesting to double with Lisa. Enthusiastic about the opportunity, Lisa’s excitement is quickly dashed by her overprotective mother, Katherine (played by Cheryl Ladd), who strictly forbids Lisa from dating until she turns 16. Katherine, a diligent single mother running a flower shop, is particularly cautious due to her own past experience of teenage pregnancy and parental disownment. She is reluctant to let Lisa even know about her boyfriend for fear of potential heartbreak.

That evening, while preparing dinner, Lisa broaches the subject of the date with her mother, but Katherine remains adamant. Undeterred, Lisa volunteers to run an errand to fetch rice for dinner. On her way back, she is spooked by a barking dog and inadvertently bumps into the Candlelight Killer (who has just committed another murder in the vicinity). He presents himself as charming, helping her gather her dropped groceries. Captivated by his good looks, Lisa keeps a note of his SUV’s license plate.

By using her skill to alter her voice, Lisa flirts with a DMV agent over the phone to unearth the man’s identity—Richard. Feeling a rush of excitement, she misrepresents herself when she calls Richard, claiming to be someone he knows, and begins to engage with him using flirtatious lines her mother previously shared. As their conversations grow more frequent, Lisa finds herself increasingly drawn to Richard, promptly leading to exploits that see her and Wendy stalking him as he goes about his daily routine as a manager of a high-end restaurant.

As the days go by, Lisa finds herself often alone; Wendy is preoccupied with her new boyfriend. One day, Lisa decides to investigate Richard’s apartment complex and, upon a brief opportunity, sneaks into his SUV, indulging in a daydream of being with him. Panic strikes when she realizes the doors lock, and she narrowly escapes just as Richard approaches his vehicle.

Lisa’s infatuation with Richard intensifies, and during subsequent phone calls, she reveals her real name, but he mistakenly thinks he’s uncovered her mother’s identity instead. Wendy’s father (played by Jeffrey Tambor) extends an invitation for a mountain getaway, but Katherine, wary of her daughter’s antics, initially declines. After a fight over the situation between mother and daughter, Katherine ultimately relents, allowing Lisa to join them.

The two plan a mother-daughter night out at Richard’s restaurant. Lisa devises a plan to set her mother up with him, even telling Richard that her mom would be wearing white that evening. However, a series of misunderstandings and a confrontation regarding Katherine’s past leads to a fiery argument, resulting in Lisa being grounded and her phone taken away.

As Katherine grows concerned over Lisa’s whereabouts, she inadvertently misses an ominous voicemail warning her of impending harm. When Lisa returns to their home, she is confronted by Richard, who has already gained entry. He has pieced together Lisa’s obsession, leading to a terrifying showdown. Just as he nears his goal, Katherine reveals her resilience, wielding a knife against him. Together, the two women fight back, ultimately gaining the upper hand when they force Richard out of a window, ending the imminent threat he posed. Exhausted yet relieved, Lisa and Katherine embrace, grateful to be alive and together.