About Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story

In "Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story", a Lifetime movie directed by Karen Moncrieff, the audience is taken on a journey through the shocking and unsettling true story of investigative journalist Nellie Bly. She feigns mental illness in order to go undercover in a mental asylum to expose the injustices, abuse, and grim realities that the patients face there. Her journey inside the notorious Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island leads to a chilling story.

Making / Production

Produced by Lifetime and aired in January 2019, this provocative reimagining of Nellie Bly’s story was directed by Karen Moncrieff. The screenplay was written by Helen Childress, capturing the elements of 19th-century investigative journalism, mental healthcare, and a terrifying tale of endurance.

Actors

• Christina Ricci plays the role of Nellie Bly. Her harrowing performance as the brave and relentless investigative journalist is both compelling and heart-wrenching.
• Judith Light portrays the role of Nurse Matron Grady. In the oppressive environment of the asylum, her stern and cruel character is effectively played and leaves a lasting impression.
• Josh Bowman portrays Dr. Josiah. His character adds to the chaotic environment of the asylum and Bowman presents it with tremendous intensity.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• Nellie Bly is a pseudonym. Her real name was Elizabeth Cochran Seaman.
• While the movie provides a fictionalized account, the real Nellie Bly actually managed to get herself committed for 10 days to the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell's Island.
• A shocking fact is that many of the abusive methods depicted in the movie were employed in asylums during the time and Bly's reporting exposed those brutalities.

Quotes

• "I've got to get the story and get out. I'm going back to expose them all." - Nellie Bly
• "I want to promise you that I am not insane and that I will never be a burden to you or anyone. Please believe me." - Nellie Bly

Music, Soundtrack

• The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack of "Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story" perfectly complements the terrifying environment of the asylum, creating heightened suspense and drama. The music for the film was composed by the talented Ronen Landa.