Obsessed

Obsessed

Year: 2009

Runtime: 108 min

Director: Steve Shill

Budget: $20M

DramaThriller

A successful executive finds his perfect life and loving marriage jeopardized by a persistent and unsettling admirer. This woman’s unwanted attention escalates, creating a dangerous situation that threatens his career, his family, and his sense of safety. He must fight to protect everything he holds dear and confront the escalating threat she poses.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Obsessed yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Obsessed (2009) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

Read the complete plot breakdown of Obsessed (2009), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.

The film begins as an African-American family settles into their new home, featuring Derek Charles (Idris Elba), his wife Sharon (Beyoncé Knowles), and their baby, Kyle. Upon arriving, Sharon removes the sold sign, and they explore their new surroundings, engaging in a playful game of hide and seek in the vacant rooms, culminating in an intimate moment in their bedroom as they await the arrival of the moving truck.

As the movers show up, Sharon takes charge of organizing their new living space while Derek heads to his office. There, he encounters a striking blonde, Lisa Sheridan (Ali Larter), a temporary worker at the firm. Their initial interaction sparks an undeniable chemistry, with Derek finding himself both intrigued and unsettled by her attention. When Lisa misplaces a bundle of files in the office, their hands accidentally touch, igniting a tension that Derek tries to ignore as he returns home to Sharon.

Despite his efforts to keep things professional, Lisa becomes an increasingly prominent presence in Derek’s life at work. She quickly proves herself to be extraordinarily capable, garnering compliments from colleagues and drawing Derek’s friend’s attention to her attractiveness. After confiding to Ben, one of his pals, that things seem to be getting uncomfortable with Lisa’s persistent clinginess, Derek decides it’s time to address the issue with Human Resources.

After a disastrous office Christmas party where Lisa inappropriately corners him, Derek attempts to set boundaries. Tensions escalate when he finds Lisa unexpectedly in his accommodation one night during a work retreat, leading to an unexpected and regrettable night filled with poor decisions. The next morning, he faces the fallout of his actions, culminating in a series of misunderstandings that unravel his marriage.

As the drama unfolds, Derek attempts to reconnect with Sharon, who is dealing with her own family crises. However, he is unaware that Lisa has her schemes, which escalate to alarming levels. After an incident involving their baby, which ends with Derek and Sharon rushing to the hospital in desperation, the stakes become life-threatening.

In a thrilling climax, Sharon confronts Lisa in their home, leading to a fierce physical confrontation that spills from the bedroom down the staircase and into the attic. In an unexpected turn of events, Sharon’s compassion leads her to save Lisa from a fatal fall—until in a deadly struggle, Lisa ultimately meets her demise. The emotional toll on both families is profound, leaving behind shattered relationships and uncertainty about the future.

In the aftermath, Sharon’s resilience shines through as she walks out to meet Derek, their bond possibly stronger than before. The film closes on a haunting note, highlighting the fragility of love intertwined with obsession.

Last Updated: October 25, 2024 at 12:17

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Thrillers about home and family under threat like Obsessed

Stories where the safety of home is violated by a relentless external threat.This collection features movies like Obsessed where a stable domestic life is shattered by a dangerous intruder or stalker. If you enjoyed the high-stakes tension of protecting a family from an obsessive threat, you'll find similar stories of psychological terror and home invasion here.

suspensefulclaustrophobicparanoidunsettlinganxiousdark

Narrative Summary

These stories typically begin with a protagonist enjoying a stable, seemingly secure life. An external threat, often an obsessive individual, begins to target them, escalating from minor intrusions to direct attacks on their home and loved ones. The plot follows the protagonist's increasingly desperate attempts to defend their world, culminating in a violent confrontation that leaves lasting scars.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their core premise of a domestic or personal sanctuary being violated. They share a high-intensity, tense tone, a steady pacing that methodically builds dread, and a heavy emotional weight centered on the themes of safety, trust, and survival.

Movies about fatal attraction and psychological unraveling like Obsessed

Tales of corrupted desire where obsession dismantles sanity and relationships.If you liked the dark erotic tension and psychological manipulation in Obsessed, this list curates similar thrillers about dangerous obsessions. These films explore themes of stalking, marital strife, and the corrosive effects of unwanted desire, delivering a heavy, suspenseful experience.

unsettlingeroticsuspensefuldarkanxiousparanoid

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a central character—often in a committed relationship—becoming the target of an obsessed admirer. The story charts the methodical erosion of the protagonist's peace of mind, career, and personal relationships as the stalker's manipulations intensify. The journey is one of psychological siege, where the protagonist must fight to reclaim their life from the grip of a corrosive fixation.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by their exploration of sexual obsession as a destructive force. They share a dark, tense tone, steady pacing that builds unease, and a straightforward yet heavy narrative about the violation of trust and the fragility of normalcy against relentless fixation.

Unlock the Full Story of Obsessed

Don't stop at just watching — explore Obsessed in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Obsessed is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Obsessed Timeline

Track the full timeline of Obsessed with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Obsessed Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Obsessed

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Obsessed. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Obsessed

Obsessed Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Obsessed that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Obsessed Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Obsessed

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Obsessed: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Obsessed

Similar Movies to Obsessed

Discover movies like Obsessed that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.