"Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story" tells a story of survival
- The Real Perspectives
- Jan 20
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 13
By The Real Perspectives
Published January 20, 2025
Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story is Lifetime's newest Original movie that premiered on Saturday, January 18. The movie, which is part of Lifetime's "Ripped from the Headlines" series, follows the true story of Laura Cowan in 1998, whose life is turned into a nightmare when she and her kids are held hostage in a family friend's garage in California after her husband is sent to prison.
Written by Avery O. Williams and directed by Manu Boyer, the film stars Paige Hurd (Power Book II, Hawaii Five-0) in the titular role, along with Stephen Bishop (Fatal Affair, Run The World) as Musa, Brad James (Tyler Perry's For Better or Worse) as Shabazz, and Jackson Little as Will.
According to the movie's official synopsis, "After her husband is arrested and thrown in jail, Laura Cowan finds herself struggling to make ends meet. When a family friend offers to move her and her children into his home temporarily, Laura lets out a sigh of relief, believing this is an act of kindness that will give her time to get back on her feet. Overnight, this blessing turns into a nightmare when Laura and her children realize they've been abducted. Held captive in a cold and dark garage, Laura is repeatedly sexually assaulted by her abductor, and she and her children are beaten and abused for years. One day, Laura manages to sneak a note to the outside world and authorities are able to rescue her and her family. Much to Laura's surprise, her note not only led the police to her and her family but two other women and their children being held captive in the same house."
The gripping movie tells the inspiring tale of one woman's survival in saving not only herself and her children but those who were also held captive. The real Cowan, a co-producer on the movie, has since become an award-winning speaker, educator, and domestic violence activist, educating women and victims who find themselves in a cycle of abuse.
Girl in the Garage: The Laura Cowan Story is available to stream on Lifetime's website and also Philo TV, Frndly, and DIRECTV Stream.
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