A Friend of the Family (film)  A Friend of the Family is a 2005 Canadian TV movie based on Alison Shaw's 1998 book of the same name. It was directed by Stuart Gillard and stars Laura Harris. After escaping an attack in Toronto, artist Alison Shaw moves with her husband to a small rural town. They are welcomed warmly by David Snow but Alison begins to suspect that David may be a mass murderer. Filming took place in Alberta and Ontario, Canada.