Secret Obsession

**A few spoilers lie ahead

This is a predictable film that lovingly embraces all the Lifetimeesque tropes, but in an honoring way. Brenda Song (The Suite Life of Zack and Cody) plays Jennifer, a sweet young woman who is pursued by a knife-wielding mad man and then is "saved" when a car hits her instead. Unfortunately, she wakes up in the hospital with amnesia. This works against her when a nice young man claims to be her husband, producing family photos and the knowledge of her back tattoo. Too bad that's enough for the hospital to let her go home with him. It isn't long before we question who this man really is.

Writing Quality: As I said before, the plot is a bit predictable. Netflix isn't trying to break any new ground here. But that doesn't mean the film is not enjoyable. Brenda Song and Mike Vogel (Lee Strobel in The Case for Christ) are both excellent and intriguing actors; they certainly play their parts in a way that draws us into this chilling nightmare. There are a few things, however, that aren't answered: who is the mysterious guy in the leather jacket who brings flowers to Jennifer in the hospital? How does "Russell" (Vogel) know about Jennifer's back tattoo? And, whose house are they living in?

Scare Factor: Not too frightening. What Russell does to Jennifer, of course, is horrific, pretending to be her husband and then making it nearly impossible for her to escape the house.

Content (sex, language, & violence): A flashback scene is shown twice where we see Jennifer's face only as it's implied that her husband is pleasuring her. Minimal language. Some violence when Russell kills or attempts to kill people.

Values: Dennis Haysbert (your favorite Allstate guy) plays a likeable detective. Because his daughter went missing years ago and was never found, he does everything he can to get to the truth of who Jennifer is and to find her and protect her, as "Russell" gave him and the hospital false contact information.

So, an easy-to-watch thriller with just enough mystery to keep you entertained throughout, and it even ends on a positive note.

#SecretObsession #BrendaSong #DennisHaysbert #MikeVogel