Dying To Belong (1997) -

: The film is somewhat infamous for its heavy use of the song "Damn I Wish I Was Your Lover" by Sophie B. Hawkins, which plays multiple times throughout. Plot Overview

The story follows Lisa Connors (), a college journalism student who pledges a prestigious sorority alongside her friend Shelby ( Jenna von Oÿ ). When Shelby dies during a hazing ritual, Lisa suspects a cover-up and teams up with a student reporter ( Mark-Paul Gosselaar ) to uncover the truth. Viewer Ratings

: Reviewers on Letterboxd describe it as "cheesy" and "drawn out," with some finding the two-hour runtime unnecessary for the simple plot. Dying to Belong (1997)

: A young Hilary Swank (before her Oscar-winning fame) is frequently cited as the film's "saving grace," though some contemporary reviews from Variety felt her character was underwritten. Sarah Chalke is often praised for her convincing performance as a bullying sorority sister.

A remake of the film was released by Lifetime in 2021, starring , though many viewers consider the 1997 original superior for its authentic late-90s atmosphere. Dying to Belong (TV Movie 1997) - IMDb : The film is somewhat infamous for its

: Often categorized as a "light thriller" that is "worth seeing when there's nothing else".

The 1997 television movie is generally viewed by modern audiences as an quintessential piece of 90s "melodramatic slop," though it remains a nostalgic favorite for fans of made-for-TV thrillers. While it tackles serious themes like toxic sorority culture and hazing, critics at the time found its execution unconvincing and its plot formulaic . Critical Consensus When Shelby dies during a hazing ritual, Lisa

: 6.2/10 — Users generally praise it as a solid, suspenseful TV movie.