CrimeTime: Freefall

6.4/10 · 789 ratings2024Weirdness 5/10Bingo card

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The premise

Crime series actress Hadley Warner retires to a small town where she encounters her first real case. Using her TV crime knowledge, she teams up with Detective Shawn Caden to solve the case. Starring Lyndie Greenwood and Luke Macfarlane.

How unusual is it?

Middle of the road, with a twist — an enemies-to-lovers arc keeps it from being totally by-the-book.

A rare specific

Tap to find the other Hallmark movies that share it.

Who’s in it

Behind the camera

Show

Written by

Wait, what?

The quirks and curveballs that make this one a little weirder than your average Hallmark. No spoilers, promise.

  • A murder victim being dragged into a tree by a cougar to explain a 'body in a tree' trope
  • Screaming goats that sound exactly like human women in distress
  • A protagonist who uses her TV show's catchphrases to solve real crimes
  • The use of 'Bond's Glue' as a murder weapon for skydiving sabotage

Every trope, all in one place

Here’s everything this one has going on, from the setting to the way it wraps up. Tap any of the 29 to find more movies that do the same thing.

How it all plays out

Already seen it, or just can’t wait? Open this up for the whole story, ending included.

Full story (spoilers)
The film opens on the set of 'Crimetime,' where Hadley Warner performs her final scene as Detective Marlowe before the show's cancellation after ten years. Struggling with the loss of her career and her ex-husband's remarriage, Hadley decides to move her teenage children, Hendricks and Rain, to Mystic, Colorado, to live near her mother, Grandma D. Upon arrival, they meet Jay Bax, an enthusiastic real estate agent and 'Crimetime' superfan. The peace is shattered when Hadley hears gunshots and screaming, which turns out to be the local neighbor Frank's 'screaming goats.' However, the situation turns grim when Hadley discovers the body of missing consultant Sam Davis suspended in a tree on her property. Local Detective Shawn Caden is assigned to the case and is initially dismissive of Hadley's 'TV cop' interference. Hadley, driven by a plea from the victim's mother, begins her own investigation, forming a 'clue crew' with her children and Bax. She identifies several suspects: Sam's wife Jen, who had marital issues; his business partner Anson, who wanted to dissolve their partnership; and Kirk, a disgruntled former employee with a restraining order. As the investigation progresses, medical examiner Carisse reveals that Sam's parachute was sabotaged with glue, causing a fatal fall before a cougar dragged him into the tree. Neighbor Frank confesses to shooting at what he thought was a cougar, accidentally hitting the already-dead Sam. Hadley eventually realizes the killer is Steve McGowan, the local security expert who was hired to upgrade her home. Steve, an embittered former Army contractor, murdered Sam because Sam's consulting firm had recommended replacing Steve's aging security business with a younger company. In a tense climax at her home, Hadley uses her acting skills to stall Steve until Detective Caden arrives to make the arrest. The film concludes with Hadley deciding to stay in Mystic rather than return to L.A., having found a new purpose and a burgeoning romance with Shawn.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Hadley Warner's TV show is canceled, prompting her to move her family to Mystic, Colorado.

  2. Inciting Incident

    Hadley discovers the body of Sam Davis in a tree on her property, which was dragged there by a cougar after a fatal fall.

  3. Midpoint

    Hadley forms the 'Clue Crew' and identifies suspects, including the victim's wife and business partner, while clashing with Detective Caden.

  4. Turning Point

    The M.E. confirms the parachute was sabotaged with glue, and Hadley realizes the killer must have technical expertise and a motive related to Sam's consulting work.

  5. Climax

    Hadley confronts the security installer Steve McGowan, who admits to the murder before being apprehended by Caden.

  6. Resolution

    Hadley decides to stay in Mystic to write her book and pursue a relationship with Shawn.

29 tropes in one movie

We counted 29 distinct Hallmark tropes packed into this one — a genuine greatest-hits reel.

How it stacks up

Where this one’s rating lands against every other rated Hallmark movie.

Rating 6.4 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 6.4567

Higher-rated than 46% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog CrimeTime: Freefall belongs to — handy if you’re after more of the same.

Lines worth quoting

The lines that stuck with us — the ones you’ll be repeating after the credits roll.

  • “I don't hold grudges. I just have a very passionate memory of everyone who's ever wronged me.”
    — Hadley WarnerExplaining her personality to her agent.
  • “You got the crime, I got the time.”
    — Hadley WarnerHer catchphrase from her TV show, used during the real-life arrest.
  • “Show me any real cop who runs in heels.”
    — Hadley WarnerCritiquing her own performance on set.

Meet the characters

Who’s who before you press play. Nothing here gives the ending away.

  • Hadley Warner

    Lead

    TV Actress

    RelentlessObservantDramaticProtective
  • Shawn Caden

    Love interest

    Police Detective

    Professional rival and romantic interest

    SkepticalProfessionalPatient
  • Steve McGowan

    Antagonist

    Security Installer

    Security contractor and neighbor

    BitterVengefulDeceptive
  • Jay Bax

    Supporting

    Real Estate Agent

    Real estate agent and friend

    EnthusiasticSuper-fanHelpful

Questions people ask about CrimeTime: Freefall

Where can I watch CrimeTime: Freefall?

CrimeTime: Freefall is available via fuboTV, Philo, and Hallmark+ Amazon Channel. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

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