Anne (Blaine Morris) and her husband, Henry (Leonard Amoia) live in a seemingly idyllic remote house, but there are cracks in their relationship. Anne has lost the child they were expecting, and unbeknown to Clark, she’s been taking birth control. When he finds out, he flips out and leaves, telling her to keep the house. Over the following days, he’s not answering her calls or returning her emails. Left alone, she sets about selling her home, but her mental health takes a steep decline, and the solitude is getting to her, making the surrounding woods feel more ominous than ever…
Despite boasting names such as Mena Suvari and Danielle Harris in the cast list (albeit briefly), this is Blaine Morris’ movie (she wrote the screenplay, so why not?). She initially portrays Anne with a sympathetic, relatable edge; she’s in an abusive relationship, dealing with an arrogant husband who flies off the handle when things don’t go his way. As things progress, and the seclusion and frustration come to the fore, there are darker elements she must face. We’re kept guessing about what sinister forces are at play throughout.
Morris is fantastic as the central focus, whose interactions with the outside world are awkward and defensive, even when people try to help her move on. While it doesn’t take a genre genius to work out what’s going on, director George Henry Horton weaves a web of intrigue that makes for an enjoyable ride.
The location plays a large part in building the mood, and Horton utilises it to enhance the feeling of isolation. Swerving between psychological drama and touching the edge of supernatural horror, Dark Obsession is a great example of a low-budget thriller that builds to a powerful punch. Just avoid the spoiler-filled trailer!
DARK OBSESSION is available on digital platforms.
