Charlotte Cartwright, played by Kathy Bates, ends up shooting her unfaithful husband in the arm and divorcing him. She also dissolves her business partnership with William Cartwright, her son, due to his unethical business practices and betrayal.
In the film “The Family That Preys,” directed by Tyler Perry, Charlotte Cartwright is a wealthy matriarch who is best friends with Alice Pratt, a working-class woman. Throughout the movie, Charlotte’s character is portrayed as strong-willed and kind-hearted, often contrasting with her son William’s ruthless and ambitious nature.
As the story unfolds, Charlotte discovers that her son William has been embezzling from the family company and cheating on his wife with Andrea, who is Alice Pratt’s daughter. Charlotte is deeply hurt by her son’s actions, which go against her values and the integrity she expects from her family.
In a pivotal scene, Charlotte confronts her husband about his infidelity after learning he has been unfaithful for years. The confrontation escalates, and in a moment of anger and betrayal, Charlotte shoots him in the arm. This act is not intended to be lethal but serves as a dramatic expression of her outrage and the culmination of her emotional turmoil.
Following these events, Charlotte decides to take decisive action to rectify the wrongs within her family and business. She divorces her husband, acknowledging that their marriage cannot be salvaged after the betrayal. Furthermore, she confronts William about his embezzlement and affair, ultimately deciding to dissolve their business partnership. Charlotte’s actions demonstrate her commitment to maintaining her personal integrity and holding her family accountable for their actions.
By the end of the film, Charlotte’s character emerges as a symbol of resilience and moral fortitude, having navigated through personal betrayal and family turmoil to uphold her principles and start anew.