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Year: 1987
Runtime: 119 min
Language: English
Director: Adrian Lyne
In this gripping thriller, a seemingly perfect life unravels when a charismatic lawyer's casual encounter with a passionate book editor escalates into a terrifying game of cat and mouse. As the stalker's obsession grows, Dan must confront the true cost of his deception and fight to reclaim his family from the brink of destruction.
Warning: spoilers below!
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In the heart of Manhattan, attorney Daniel “Dan” Gallagher finds himself entangled in the complexities of his marriage while clandestinely engaging in an affair with Alexandra “Alex” Forrest, a sharp and assertive editor he met at a professional event. At first, the excitement of their secret relationship seems thrilling; however, as time passes, Alex’s possessiveness grows, leaving Dan increasingly desperate to escape her clutches.
One fateful day, Alex persuades Dan to spend the entire day with her. When Dan attempts to distance himself, she resorts to a shocking act of self-harm, leaving him feeling morally obligated to stay by her side. As evening descends over the New York City skyline, Dan helps Alex recover from her emotional turmoil before making his departure, only to find himself irresistibly drawn back into her orbit.
Alex’s erratic behavior escalates as she relentlessly bombards Dan with heartfelt apologies and invitations to various events, only to have him turn her down politely. Her persistence is relentless, prompting Dan to instruct his secretary to disregard any calls from Alex. Undeterred, Alex reveals an unexpected pregnancy, insisting that Dan must take responsibility for their affair.
As tensions mount, Alex becomes bolder in her pursuit. She cunningly tracks down Dan’s wife, Beth (whose beauty conceals her lack of suspicion), pretending to be a potential buyer interested in their apartment. This deceit sends shockwaves through Dan, who confronts Alex at her doorstep, where she defiantly proclaims, > “I’m not going to be ignored, Dan.”
Despite Dan’s family relocating to the peaceful countryside of Bedford in an attempt to break free, Alex continues her relentless pursuit. She sends a menacing tape recording of herself to Dan’s workplace, filled with venom and fervor, reminding him of her all-consuming obsession. The situation escalates further when Alex vandalizes Dan’s car and shows up at his home, which only deepens his anxieties when he witnesses the serene life he wishes to protect.
Desperate for relief, Dan seeks police assistance but is informed by a tough-love lieutenant that without concrete evidence, Alex’s rights cannot be imposed upon. Dan must confront the consequences of his own choices while caught in a complicated web of deceit spun by Alexandra.
In a shocking twist, when Dan, Beth, and their friend Ellen return home from an outing, they make a horrifying discovery: Ellen’s pet rabbit has been boiled on the stove - a ghastly signature of Alex’s sinister shadow. Overwhelmed by guilt and the weight of his deception, Dan confesses to Beth about his affair with Alex, revealing her shocking pregnancy. Beth, consumed by fury and betrayal, commands Dan to leave their home. Before he goes, Dan makes a fateful call to Alex, only for Beth to intervene and issue a chilling ultimatum: she will kill Alex if she ever threatens their family again.
As the shock sets in, Alex’s dark nature spirals out of control. She kidnaps Ellen from school, dragging her to an amusement park – a dangerous environment where childhood innocence meets the darker truths of adult relationships. Meanwhile, Beth becomes frantic in her search for their daughter, leading to a tragic car accident that lands her in the hospital.
With the police scrambling to locate Alex and Ellen, Dan rushes to his wife’s side in the hospital, but soon finds himself in a violent confrontation with Alex. Disarming her, he thinks he has finally put an end to her madness. Yet, her tenacity proves resilient as Beth’s forgiveness of Dan brings them back together, only for the small peace they’ve found to be shattered by Alex’s deadly persistence.
In a shocking climax, as Beth attempts to unwind in a tranquil bath, Alex reveals herself, knife in hand, determined to finish what she started. Dan leaps to his wife’s rescue, seemingly delivering a fatal blow to Alex. Yet, in a horrifying twist, she springs back to life, weapon still gripped tightly. In a desperate moment, Beth returns, her own instincts driving her to deliver a fatal shot, effectively ending Alex’s reign of terror.
As the police arrive to assess the chaos left behind, Dan and Beth must confront the irrevocable changes to their lives: a love once bound by trust now tempered by the grim lessons of betrayal and obsession.
Last Updated: November 21, 2024 at 09:29
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