Get ready for a heart-pounding ride of blackmail, corporate corruption, and a mother’s desperate fight to save her child. Do Exactly as I Say follows Isla, a talented private chef whose world shatters when a mysterious kidnapper takes her young daughter. The ransom isn’t money—it’s secrets. Forced to become a reluctant spy in her own kitchen, Isla must systematically uncover the deeply personal indiscretions and the dangerously dirty truths behind the pristine public image of her powerful billionaire boss, Damian Croft. As she delves deeper into his world, she discovers that the scandal goes far beyond embarrassment, threatening to destroy lives and ignite a global controversy.

This edge-of-your-seat thriller masterfully weaves together intimate personal drama with a sprawling conspiracy. Every whispered confession Isla overhears, every hidden file she photographs, brings her closer to saving her daughter but could also get them both killed. The film explores the terrifying power dynamics between the ultra-wealthy and those who serve them, asking how far a person will go when the most precious thing in their life is on the line.

Meet the Cast and Creative Minds Behind Do Exactly as I Say

– Erin Karpluk as Isla

Erin Karpluk, beloved for her leading roles in Being Erica and Heartland, delivers a tour-de-force performance as Isla, the private chef turned unwilling pawn. Karpluk brilliantly portrays a mother’s visceral terror and ferocious intelligence, showing Isla’s transformation from a composed professional to a woman operating on a razor’s edge of fear and determination. Her ability to convey volumes with a single, panicked glance—often while maintaining a calm facade for her boss—is the emotional core of the film.

Karpluk immersed herself in the role, training with a professional chef to lend authenticity to her kitchen scenes and studying the psychology of coercion to understand her character’s impossible choices. Her most gripping moments come in silent sequences where she communicates with the kidnapper via a hidden earpiece, her face a mask of calm professionalism while her eyes scream in silent agony, perfectly capturing the dual nightmare she must endure.

– Philip Prajoux as Damian Croft

Philip Prajoux is chillingly charismatic as Damian Croft, the billionaire founder of a revolutionary “clean energy” company. Prajoux masterfully crafts a character who is both a visionary philanthropist in public and a man riddled with dark secrets and vulnerabilities in private. He keeps the audience guessing: is he a malicious mastermind, a flawed man covering his tracks, or perhaps another victim in a larger game?

Prajoux brings a formidable presence to the role, making every interaction with Karpluk crackle with unspoken tension. His performance is layered, allowing glimpses of humanity to peek through his polished exterior, which makes his potential downfall all the more compelling. The dynamic between the hunter (Isla) and her seemingly unknowing prey (Croft) creates a relentless, suspenseful push-and-pull that drives the narrative forward.

– Wendy Ord (Director)

Wendy Ord, a veteran director known for her adept handling of tension in numerous Lifetime and Hallmark thrillers, takes the helm. Ord’s expertise lies in building claustrophobic suspense within everyday settings. She uses the opulent, yet isolating, spaces of the billionaire’s mansion to create a gorgeous cage for Isla, where every gleaming surface holds a potential threat. Her direction ensures the pace is taut, the stakes feel unbearably high, and the audience is never quite sure who to trust.

Ord’s signature style—focusing on tight close-ups to capture micro-expressions of fear and using sound design to amplify anxiety—will be on full display. She is the perfect architect for this story, skillfully balancing the intimate horror of a child’s kidnapping with the broader thriller elements of corporate espionage.

– Joy Nicole Fox (Writer)

Joy Nicole Fox, a skilled screenwriter with a knack for crafting clever plots and strong female protagonists, pens the intricate script. Fox’s narrative is packed with smart twists and turns, ensuring that the mystery of the kidnapper’s identity and motive remains hidden until the perfect moment. Her writing excels at putting relatable characters in extraordinary situations, making Isla’s plight feel both terrifying and authentic.

Fox’s script delves into timely themes of privacy, the cult of celebrity CEOs, and the dark underbelly of corporate greenwashing. She provides the sharp, suspenseful dialogue and the clever plot mechanisms that force Isla to become increasingly bold in her investigations, raising the stakes with every revealed secret.

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Why You Can’t Miss This Movie

• A unique, high-concept premise that turns a gourmet kitchen into a battlefield.

• A powerhouse performance from Erin Karpluk that anchors the film in raw emotion.

• A gripping cat-and-mouse game with twists that will keep you guessing until the final moments.

• A timely story that questions the true cost of wealth, power, and a “clean” conscience.

Tune In for the Ultimate Test of Loyalty

Do Exactly as I Say premieres Saturday, August 24, 2025, on Lifetime. Discover how far a mother will go when she has Do Exactly as I Say.