Lifetime’s ‘The Dating App Killer: The Monica White Story’ premieres Feb. 14 — how to watch and what to know
The Lifetime original film that dramatizes the real-life encounter between Monica White and an alleged dating-app serial killer premieres Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8 p. m. ET. The movie stars Lela Rochon as Monica White and aims to blend a suspenseful thriller with the survivor’s personal journey.
When and where it airs
The movie debuts Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8 p. m. ET on the linear channel that commissioned the film. The premiere will also be available on that channel’s on-demand service the same night for viewers who prefer to stream rather than tune in live.
How to watch the premiere for free
Several national live-TV streaming options provide temporary access to the channel airing the movie. One major provider is offering a five-day free trial that includes the channel, letting new subscribers stream the premiere live and access it on demand without paying up front. Other lower-cost live-TV services carry the channel as part of their channel lineups but may not include free-trial offers; they do sometimes run promotional discounts on first-month billing for new customers.
If you do not want a long-term subscription, a short free trial or a one-week promotional period from a live-TV streaming service can be used to watch the film and cancel before billing begins. Remember to check the terms in advance and cancel within the trial window if you do not wish to continue the service.
What the film’s story covers
The dramatization follows Monica White as she returns to dating in middle age and connects with a man online who initially seems charming. As the relationship develops, she notices disquieting behavior and ultimately escapes a potentially violent situation. The plot then follows her efforts to piece together details that link the man to a broader pattern of murders in the community, positioning her as a central witness in the case.
The film frames the events as both a tense thriller and a survivor story, focused on personal resilience as well as the procedural elements of uncovering a serial offender who used dating apps to target victims.
Cast and creative team
Lela Rochon portrays Monica White, while Jarod Joseph plays the man identified in the film as Anthony Robinson. The screenplay credits include David Weaver and Miriam van Emst. Elisabeth Röhm is listed as the director of the dramatized feature, with production credits also tied to the project’s lead producer.
The film’s tone is set to balance character-driven scenes with investigative revelations, aiming to give viewers both emotional context and the narrative beats of a true-crime thriller.
The real Monica White: an update
The woman at the center of the story has been public about her experience and the aftermath. She has described feeling unsettled by several early encounters with the man she later identified, and has emphasized recovery, family support, and personal faith in rebuilding her life. In interviews, she has spoken about stepping back from seeking romance and prioritizing her own well-being and relationships with family members.
The film arrives amid renewed public interest in how dating apps can be exploited and in survivor perspectives that call for both personal safety awareness and improved investigative attention to patterns that may link assaults and homicides.
For viewers planning to watch the premiere live, set a reminder for Saturday, Feb. 14, at 8 p. m. ET and review any trial or promotional terms for streaming services well before the date to avoid unwanted charges.
