The most disturbing stories are the real-life experiences shared by those who have survived or witnessed the atrocious behavior from “loved” ones. Those who have gained our trust and companionship only to have it manipulated and twisted into a malicious, self-serving agenda. Finding Nicole is the true story of a woman’s perseverance to escape a deadly situation spanning over the course of many fear-filled years.  

In 2005, Nicole met handsome and rugged football player, Warren Beverly. He was clearly smitten by her beauty and shy mannerisms (Kaiti Wallen portrays the title character with the sweet innocence comparable to Jennifer Jason Leigh’s early work.) Her smile is radiant, and she surrenders to Warren’s loving, romantic gestures with immediate trust.  

A year later, we learn the couple is still going strong, cohabitating and hosting an outside barbecue party for several friends on a warm summer day. However, all is not calm when Warren’s penchant for control manifests after watching Nicole “flirt” with a male friend. Sensing the tension building within Warren, she shares the friend’s gay status, believing this to be a simple misunderstanding. As an approach to reconciling those feelings of jealousy, Warren pledges his undying love and commitment to Nicole. When she inadvertently doesn’t reciprocate his deeply emotional confession, his rage takes over, thus exhibiting the first red flags of the film.  

The anguish gets worse after having children, and Warren’s aggressive demeanor has no boundaries…even when his two boys are around to witness their father’s cruelty. The home dynamics shift into incessant explosiveness as the family tiptoes around their household tyrant to avoid an onslaught of attacks. Watching the ongoing beatings, trauma and sexual assaults taking place is debilitating, causing the viewer to feel as helpless as Nicole. It’s torturous to see such evilness play out with normalcy through the eyes of not only the abuser, but by several authority figures as well.

The horrors of domestic abuse no longer lay solely on the act of violence and hostility but has now become an unwitting catalyst for brainwashing the partner or spouse into feeling guilty for leaving or even worse…believe they deserve this abhorrent treatment.

Nicole’s commitment to the boys’ safety remains unwavering, even after placing herself in dangerous situations to protect her kids from the brutality of their detestable father. With little helpful resources, and her confidence in the law dwindling, Nicole begins the necessary steps to remove her family from harm’s way. Permanently.

Finding Nicole is a heartbreaking story of desperation that leads to courage and strength found in the heart of a tough woman who tries to break the barriers…and stigma…attached to being a battered woman. This is beyond the scope of Lifetime movies. It’s bravery in shaping her narrative to not only rescue herself, but now others who are experiencing the helplessness felt by a plethora of innocent people is a necessity worth sharing. You’ll certainly find the closing statistics staggering, and quite scary.