Felicity Huffman stars in 'The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy’ a true crime drama

Felicity Huffman plays a real-life assassin and wife of a manipulative polygamist in Lifetime’s newest movie, “The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy.”

Based on a true story, we follow the Rena Chynoweth (Huffman) as she escapes a polygamist cult and its leader, her husband, Ervil LeBaron. Rena was a part of the Mormon Church of the Firstborn of Fulness of Times, a real-life polygamist sect that was led by Joel LeBaron, in Colonia Le Baron, Mexico.

The film begins with a present-day Rena, and a journalist knocking on her door hoping to get Rena’s side of the story. At first she’s hesitant, but Rena finally lets her in and begins retelling her life as a “former wife of a manipulative polygamist group leader” who “escaped a life of oppressions and dedicated herself to freeing others.”

After Rena and her family are persuaded to move to Mexico they are ordered to “devote themselves to the doctrines of the LaBaron brothers, Ervil and Joel” while the brothers’ thirst for power turns to violence and a divide begins within the community, going against what Huffman’s character deems as ethical.

After witnessing Ervil and Joel’s followers become ruthless murderers, Rena becomes Ervil’s 13th wife and he grooms her to become one of his “holy assassins.” These assassins create even more deathly violence and divide within the community.

The two-part movie event explores faith, violence and the struggle for freedom, all while watching one woman gain the courage to stand up for herself, her family and her community to ensure everyone makes it out alive.

This also marks the first major role for Felicity Huffman since serving time behind bars for her involvement with the 2019 college admissions scandal.

"The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy" is a two-night movie event premiering May 31 and June 1 on Lifetime.