I am really am grateful that I have such loyal friends that drag me to movies I wouldn’t ordinarily see. Obsessed is one of those films. I saw the trailer and pretty much wrote the flick off as another one of those crazed stalker films where the single lady sets her eyes on the prize even if the man has a ring on his finger. The wife and the stranger eventually have a violent interaction and the only question is who will survive long enough to be hauled in the paddywagon and tried for manslaughter.

Even with all the red flags of predictability I still had a tickling good time watching Derek Charles (Idris Elba) fall headfirst into the sticky web of black widow / temp, Lisa (Ali Larter). When Lisa shows her true colors Derek thinks he can handle the situation on his own. Rule# 25: Never underestimate the mind of a psycho.


Lisa Attempts A Passion Play: Derek Charles (Idris Elba) & Lisa (Ali Larter) 

Things get bad enough that a police detective (Christine Lahti) gets involved and Sharon Charles (Beyonce Knowles) pitches a fit against Derek and rightfully so. Not only did Derek keep this important information from his wife but he was also stupid enough to fall for some of the most obvious entrapment schemes in the book. And just like the trailer shows, there will be a no holds barred tussle between the current woman and the other woman. Makes that Tyra Banks / Hannah Montana shoe fight look like a tickling contest.


The News Does Not Look Good For This Marriage: Sharon Charles (Beyonce Knowles) & Derek Charles (Idris Elba)

One of the refreshing aspects of the story is the role reversal in the case. I’m so used to seeing the man force himself on the poor defenseless secretary. In Obsessed the tables are turned as Derek is the victim of Lisa’s sexual advances. Lisa has a strong upper hand grasping the fact that most would find it hard to believe that the big bad executive is fleeing from a hot female co-worker. Plus, there’s the fact that before she became “Mrs. Charles” Sharon started as Derek’s assistant. That fact alone creates a shadow of doubt over Derek and his claims of innocence.

Ali Larter fans are gonna be very pleased to see Ms. Larter work her inner vixen on the unassuming Derek. Like most deranged serial lovers Lisa is a shrewd character. She skillfully pumps her officemates for information on Derek. She manages to corner Derek in the most unusual places including his own car. Oh and she earns major points for how effortlessly she played the babysitter (Scout Taylor-Compton) and slinked her way into the Charles’ home. Rebeccah De Mornay would be so proud.

Likewise, Beyonce admirers will adore her in Obsessed. Sharon might be the victim’s wife but she is no pushover. Sharon delivers one of the other few plot surprises after she learns about Lisa’s behavior towards Derek. Though Sharon met Derek in the office this independent woman is no gold digger but is sharp enough to detect one in close proximity to her husband. Sharon represents the kind of woman that doesn’t take guff from anyone not even her husband. That is a character that keeps Obsessed very very interesting.


Temp By Day, Temptress By Night: Lisa (Ali Larter)

However, I do have a bone to pick with the writers for making Derek’s male assistant, Patrick (Matthew Humphreys), such a disgrace to queer folk worldwide. I’m sorry but the way the “office queen” so easily rolls over for Lisa and spills all sorts of privileged intel is infuriating. The real deal is that most gay men would’ve caught on to Lisa’s plans as quickly as Sharon and would not have been so easily fleeced. Thank you so much, Patrick, for depicting gays as unreliable and untrustworthy gossips who can’t tell a foe from a friend. Please, y’all, just except this character as one of the defects. Every social group has a few and Patrick is one of the glowing examples from the Island of Malfunctioning Gays. Ugh!

Obsessed is predictable. Obsessed is nothing entirely new. And yet, Obsessed is entertaining, captivating and even thrilling at times. I tell you the truth that I was grabbing my buddy’s arm and sitting on the edge of my seat during the Sharon / Lisa fight. If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure flick, then Obsessed has got enough sugar, calories and fat to satisfy you for days….or at least an hour and a half.