Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)

Last updated:
November 27, 2025

Sleeping with the Enemy is a psychological thriller that follows a young woman running from her abusive husband, only to discover that escape isn’t as easy as changing her identity. Directed by Joseph Ruben and starring Julia Roberts, the film became a major box-office hit in the early 90s and remains a memorable entry in the thriller genre.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Laura and Martin Burney: A Perfect Marriage on the Surface

Laura Burney (Julia Roberts) appears to live a luxurious life with her wealthy husband, Martin (Patrick Bergin). Their beachfront home is immaculate and ordered, reflecting Martin’s obsessive need for control. However, beneath the perfection lies Martin’s violent abuse. Laura secretly plans her escape, knowing that even the slightest act out of order provokes punishment. His obsession with symmetry, for example perfectly aligned towels, signals Laura’s daily danger.

The Escape at Sea

Laura pretends she cannot swim and uses this fact to stage her disappearance during a stormy sailing trip. She falls from the boat, seemingly swallowed by the ocean. In truth, she has spent months preparing for this moment, hiding supplies and planning a new identity. When Martin believes she has drowned, she finally feels free.

A New Life as Sara Waters

Laura, now calling herself Sara Waters, moves to a small town and attempts to rebuild her life. She meets a kind drama teacher, Ben (Kevin Anderson), who senses her sorrow but respects her privacy. Gradually, Laura begins to heal, discovering agency and tenderness she never experienced with Martin. Yet she remains fearful, realizing that Martin’s obsession might not die with her assumed death.

Martin’s Discovery

Suspicious of Laura’s swimming accident from the beginning, Martin eventually uncovers clues that she survived. When he sees a single bathroom towel slightly out of place in her mother’s home, his suspicions are confirmed. His calculated investigation leads him straight to Laura’s new life. His methodical, cold persistence highlights that he will do anything to reclaim control.

Movie Ending

Martin breaks into Laura’s new home while she is out. When she returns, she finds evidence of his presence: the towels are perfectly aligned, and the canned goods are meticulously arranged, exactly as he required in their old house. This small visual detail is the chilling signal that he has returned.

Martin confronts her, intending to force her back into their marriage. A brutal struggle ensues, and Laura gains the upper hand long enough to call the police. Ironically, Martin himself answers the call, having already disabled the phone line. Laura then grabs a gun. Cornered and terrified, she whispers, “I’ve killed you before,” symbolizing the identity she shed to escape him. She shoots him repeatedly, ending his threat for good just as the police arrive. The movie closes with Laura stepping outside into her new future, free on her own terms, without reliance on anyone to save her.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. The film ends after the final scene with no mid-credit or post-credit sequences. The story concludes decisively, with no implication of continuation.

Type of Movie

Sleeping with the Enemy is a psychological thriller focused on domestic abuse, control, and escape. It blends suspenseful pacing with emotional tension rather than relying on jump scares or action-heavy sequences.

Cast

Julia Roberts as Laura Burney / Sara Waters
Patrick Bergin as Martin Burney
Kevin Anderson as Ben Woodward
Elizabeth Lawrence as Laura’s mother
Cheryl Anderson as Neighbor Woman

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Jerry Goldsmith, known for his emotionally charged thriller music. The soundtrack amplifies Laura’s fear, Martin’s coldness, and the quiet tension of her new life. The orchestral arrangement heightens suspense without overshadowing the drama.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in South Carolina and North Carolina, using real coastal areas to illustrate Laura’s imprisonment and later freedom. The opening beach home setting reflects oppressive perfection, while the quaint town symbolizes possibility and recovery. This contrast helps visually communicate Laura’s drastic emotional transition.

Awards and Nominations

Sleeping with the Enemy was not a major awards contender, but it achieved commercial success and further elevated Julia Roberts’ career following Pretty Woman (1990). Its lasting recognition stems more from cultural impact than trophies.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Julia Roberts researched domestic abuse and control patterns to portray Laura with realism.
Patrick Bergin stayed distant from Roberts on set to maintain emotional discomfort between their characters.
The towel scene became iconic and is still referenced in pop culture as a symbol of obsessive behavioral control.
The film initially had darker scripted endings, including Laura being forced to kill Martin more violently.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the 1987 novel Sleeping with the Enemy by Nancy Price, which explores domestic violence through a more interior psychological lens. While the movie simplifies some themes, it effectively captures the terror of living under constant surveillance and threat.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Originally, the climax was more ambiguous, with Laura not clearly killing Martin. Test audiences reacted negatively, wanting a definitive end to his threat. The final version ensures emotional closure, giving Laura both justice and agency.

Book Adaptations and Differences

In the novel, Laura does not romantically pursue Ben; the movie adds a love interest to soften the tone.
The book explores Martin’s psychology in greater depth, while the film represents his obsession visually.
Laura’s transformation in the novel is slower, focusing more on independence than immediate romance or rescue.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Laura aligning bathroom towels, revealing the extent of Martin’s control.
The storm escape, her moment of self-liberation.
The scene where she discovers Martin’s presence through the meticulously arranged pantry items.
The final confrontation and her decisive rebellion.

Iconic Quotes

Martin: “I’ll always know.”
Laura: “I’ve killed you before.”
Ben: “You don’t have to talk. I’ll wait.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

Martin’s obsessive-compulsion is shown visually long before he is violent, hinting at escalating danger.
Laura’s claim she cannot swim is repeated multiple times early on, acting as foreshadowing for her plan.
The color white dominates their home, symbolizing false purity and rigid control.

Trivia

The movie was one of Julia Roberts’ first major thriller roles.
The film grossed over $100 million worldwide despite mixed critical reviews.
Many viewers still cite the “perfect towels” scene as one of the most disturbing non-violent thriller moments.

Why Watch?

This film delivers a tense, emotionally compelling thriller with a focus on survival and empowerment rather than spectacle. It’s especially meaningful for its portrayal of recovery from abuse, and Roberts’ nuanced performance grounds the story in real human vulnerability rather than simple fear.

Director’s Other Movies

The Stepfather (1987)
The Good Son (1993)
Money Train (1995)
The Forgotten (2004)

Sleeping with the Enemy (1991)

Detailed Summary