The Confession

6.3/10 · 869 ratings20131h 29mWeirdness 5/10Bingo card

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The premise

Based on the novel by New York Times best-selling author Beverly Lewis, The Confession is the continuing story of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman who goes on a journey in search of her identity - only to find herself embroiled in a mystery that must be solved before she can be reunited with the Englisher mother who gave her up to adoption 20 years earlier.

How unusual is it?

Middle of the road, with a twist — mistaken identity and a second-chance romance keep 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

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Wait, what?

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

  • The protagonist works as a maid for her own mother while an actress pretends to be her.
  • A subplot involves a boyfriend who faked his death to join the military because an 'Englisher' called the Amish weak.
  • The 'dine and dash' opening scene where an Amish woman is blamed for a customer's theft.
  • The use of 'Amish accents' by a professional actress as a plot point.

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 32 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 begins with Katie Lapp struggling to adapt to 'English' life in New York, failing her driving test and working at a diner. She is searching for her birth mother, Laura Bennett, but is hindered by her own naivety. Meanwhile, Laura Bennett receives a terminal cancer diagnosis and decides to cut her husband, Dylan, out of her will due to his secret gambling addiction, leaving her estate to her foundation and her long-lost Amish daughter. When the real Katie calls the house, Dylan lies and tells her that Laura has already passed away. Desperate to keep the inheritance, Dylan hires Alyson, a struggling actress, to impersonate Katie. The real Katie arrives at the Bennett estate and, through a series of misunderstandings, is hired as a maid named 'Katherine.' She decides to stay in this role to be near her mother without causing a scene. While working, she meets Justin Wirth, the head of Laura's foundation, and a romance begins to bloom. Back in her home community of Hickory Hollow, it is revealed that Katie's former lover, Daniel Fisher, did not actually drown years ago but faked his death to join the military; he returns and begins searching for her. At the Bennett estate, Dylan pushes for a legal signing to make the imposter the official heir. However, Laura has grown suspicious and eventually discovers a letter Katie wrote to her Amish parents. During the climactic will-signing ceremony, Laura reveals she knows 'Katherine' is her real daughter. Dylan and Alyson are ousted, and Laura spends her final days reconciled with Katie. The film concludes with Katie successfully getting her driver's license and moving forward with Justin, while Daniel arrives in the city, having finally tracked her down.

Beat by beat

  1. Opening

    Katie Lapp arrives in New York to find her birth mother but is told by Dylan that she is dead.

  2. Inciting Incident

    Dylan hires Alyson, an actress, to play the role of Katie to secure Laura's fortune.

  3. Midpoint

    The real Katie is hired as a maid in her mother's house and witnesses the imposter being embraced by the family.

  4. Complication

    Daniel Fisher, Katie's presumed-dead boyfriend, returns to Hickory Hollow and begins a quest to find her.

  5. Climax

    During the signing of the inheritance papers, Laura reveals she knows the truth and identifies Katie as her real daughter.

  6. Resolution

    Dylan is sent away, Katie reconciles with her mother before she passes, and Daniel arrives in New York.

32 tropes in one movie

We counted 32 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 6.3 vs every rated Hallmark moviemedian 6.4This movie · 6.3567

Higher-rated than 37% of every rated Hallmark movie. The median is 6.4.

Where this one fits

The corners of the catalog The Confession 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.

  • “Englishers are liars and thieves. And the sooner you accept that, the better off you'll be.”
    — AlexisWarning Katie about the outside world after she is scammed at the diner.
  • “Be like a flower, Katherine. Be beautiful, rain or shine.”
    — Laura BennettGiving advice to Katie while she is still posing as the maid.
  • “I guess that's what I do, ferhoodle women.”
    — Justin WirthUsing an Amish term to flirt with Katie after she spills a drink.

Meet the characters

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

  • Katie Lapp

    Lead

    Maid / Former Amish

    NaiveKind-heartedDeterminedMusical
  • Justin Wirth

    Love interest

    Foundation Director

    Romantic interest

    ProfessionalCharmingSupportive
  • Dylan Bennett

    Antagonist

    Professional Gambler

    Step-father / Antagonist

    ManipulativeDeceptiveDesperate
  • Laura Bennett

    Supporting

    Socialite / Philanthropist

    Birth mother

    DyingWealthyPerceptiveRegretful
  • Alyson

    Supporting

    Actress

    Imposter / Rival

    AmbitiousGuilt-riddenTheatrical

Questions people ask about The Confession

Where can I watch The Confession?

The Confession is available via Pluto TV, Fawesome, and Runtime. Streaming options change often, so check current availability before settling in.

Is there a sequel to The Confession?

Yes. The Confession is followed by The Reckoning.

How long is The Confession?

The Confession runs about 1 hour and 29 minutes, and was released in 2013.

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Data and sources

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Sources:IMDbTMDB