From Steamy Affairs to Fatal Fixations: Decoding the Obsession with "Obsession" in Film and TV
The human condition is messy. Obsession captures this chaos. It is relatable. We have all felt it, even if not to cinematic extremes. Whether by a person or an idea, that feeling resonates within us. Filmmakers explore this theme, and it makes for great storytelling.
Hollywood embraces obsession in many forms. The title "Obsession" graces diverse projects from Netflix series to thrillers. The fascination with obsession runs deep in film and TV. Let’s explore these narratives and what ticks within these "Obsessions" or drives them to *fixate*.
Netflix's Steamy Dive into Desire: Obsession (2023)
First, let’s talk about Netflix's "Obsession," a four-part series from 2023. It had viewers buzzing. Does it merit your time? If you seek drama, intense music, and some questionable romance, it may suit you. Critics deemed it "overwrought but addictive." Its polish suggests talent behind the camera.
The leads, played by Richard Armitage and Charlie Murphy, embody passion. However, the ending raises questions about their love. Is the emotional wreckage worth it? The plot centers on Dr. William Farrow, a London surgeon entangled with Anna Barton, his son Jay's fiancée. Their affair is intense, turning family dynamics upside down.
Netflix describes it as a series where passion leads to chaos. They discard societal norms as their obsession grows. "Obsession" isn't mere filler; it is based on Josephine Hart's novel "Damage". The directors, Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn, hint at artistic ambition through their previous work.
The final act delivers tragedy. Jay discovers his father with Anna. The shock is devastating. He falls to his death, leading to chaos. A family shattered by unchecked obsession unfolds across the screen. After this event, Anna seeks therapy to confront her past and halt her cycles of destruction.
Is Anna and William's happiness doomed? The ending suggests they live haunted lives. Den of Geek notes the ambiguity, yet foreshadows their separation. Then, there’s the infamous pillow scene. Yes, that scene requires its own analysis.
To break down the pillow scene, picture William sneaking into Jay’s hotel room in France. He discovers Anna’s scent still on a pillow. What follows is shocking: he sniffs it, groans, strips half-naked, and *humps the pillow*. Richard Armitage improvises during this wild moment, giving insight into William's obsession. In the penultimate episode, Jay walks in on this shocking act.
Anna’s traumatic background adds depth. Jay’s death triggers a revelation from Anna's mother: a childhood abuse incident by her brother Aston. This trauma drives Anna’s self-destructive behaviors. It creates a complicated narrative, shining light on her actions.
A blackmail plot complicates the ordeal. Initially, suspicion falls on Anna's friend Peggy but turns out it's from William’s daughter, Sally. After finding Anna's diary pages in her father's jacket, she takes matters into her own hands. This adds layers to familial betrayal in their web.
Though "Obsession" positions itself as a limited series, the question of a second season hangs in the air. Streaming platforms have a tendency to resurrect miniseries into multi-season dramas, redefining what we expect in serialized storytelling.
Beyoncé vs. the Office Temp: Obsessed (2009)
Now we shift to the 2009 film "Obsessed," featuring Beyoncé Knowles and Idris Elba. Is it worth your time? That’s subjective. Critically, "Obsessed" received negative reviews as "generic and predictable." Comparisons to "Fatal Attraction" were frequent. Character development feels thin and lacking.
However, "Obsessed" has earned a degree of campy notoriety. It delivers guilty pleasures while embracing its excesses. If you seek high art, turn away. But for an entertaining thrill ride, it provides unexpected enjoyment.
The plot stays straightforward and cliché. Derek Charles has a perfect life, career, and family until his firm hires Lisa, a seductive office temp. Their encounter is classic—a meet-cute or meet-creepy moment. Lisa is the troublemaker, upsetting his idyllic existence.
The ending serves justice as Lisa meets her demise. Derek and Sharon win in the climactic showdown. With their family intact, they can reassemble their "perfect" life with tighter HR policies.
Despite mixed reviews, "Obsessed" found box office success. It grossed $73.8 million, proving audiences often crave predictable drama despite critical opinions. Appetites for over-the-top narratives remain strong in our viewing culture.
A million against a $20 million budget shows that "bad" movies can be profitable. This is especially true when Beyoncé is involved.
One constant criticism is the similarity to "Fatal Attraction." Both films explore extramarital attraction and obsessive behavior. Yet, "Obsessed" (2009) offers key distinctions. Unlike Michael Douglas's character, Derek remains "chaste." He resists Lisa's seductive advances, maintaining a semblance of Victorian virtue. Moreover, "Obsessed" (2009) lacks any bunny-boiling incidents, keeping the stalking behavior less visceral than its 1987 counterpart.
True Story Obsession: The 2002 TV Movie
Exploring the "Obsession" rabbit hole leads us to "Obsessed," a 2002 TV movie with a different angle. This "Obsessed" claims to be "based on a true story." This phrase adds intrigue or skepticism, depending on your perspective. Indeed, this "Obsessed" draws from a real case in New York in the 1980s.
The film follows Ellena Roberts, a medical writer played by Jenna Elfman. She becomes obsessed with neurosurgeon Dr. David Stillman. Ellena suffers from erotomania, a disorder where the affected believes a person of higher social status reciprocates their love. It’s a grand romantic delusion. Dr. Stillman denies any romantic connection, asserting their contact was limited to professional engagements at conferences. The film unfolds as a "jailed medical writer recounts her affair with a prominent doctor," hinting at psychological instability.
Hitchcockian Guilt and Doppelgangers: Obsession (1976)
Next, we go back to 1976 for another "Obsession," directed by Brian De Palma. This film dives into guilt, loss, and uncanny resemblance, possessing a distinct Hitchcockian vibe. The plot centers on Michael Courtland (Cliff Robertson), a New Orleans businessman tormented by tragedy. His wife Elizabeth and daughter Amy are kidnapped and killed during a failed rescue attempt, leaving Michael devastated.
Years later, grieving, Michael travels to Italy. He meets Sandra Portinari, who looks exactly like his deceased wife. Love flourishes, or perhaps an obsession develops. Michael is in love but fearful that Sandra may share the same fate as Elizabeth and Amy. The synopsis captures it as "a prominent New Orleans businessman haunted by guilt after his wife and daughter die during a kidnapping gone wrong. Years later, he meets a woman who is the spitting image of his wife."
Decoding Obsession: Beyond the Silver Screen
We have traversed cinematic obsessions, ranging from steamy affairs to stalker thrillers. What, then, is "obsession"? Beyond dramatic portrayals, what defines this intense emotional state? Let’s explore the themes of obsession in psychology and biblical perspective.
Dr. Deborah Gilman, a licensed clinical psychologist, states, "Obsession is an unhealthy preoccupation with a partner or crush." It's often one-sided, fueled by a desire for control or possession. Dr. Gilman notes that this can lead to jealousy and stalking behaviors. Many "Obsessions" we've explored show these traits.
Clearly, obsession directed at another person carries serious mental health implications. It’s not just harmless crushes or fleeting infatuations. As experts assert, "Any kind of obsession is unhealthy and harms your mental health." It poses risks not just to the individual but also affects the object of their obsession, making them feel uneasy or frightened.
In mental health realms, obsessions are key symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OCD involves unwanted and repetitive thoughts and behaviors. These unwanted thoughts are the obsessions. They manifest in various forms, from fears of contamination to fixations on a person.
How does one free themselves from an obsession? How to stop obsessing? There are strategies to regain control over thoughts and emotions. Verywell Mind offers practical advice, like creating physical distance. This involves limiting contact, avoiding situations with the person, or unfollowing them on social media during a digital detox.
Self-care is also crucial. Engage in enjoyable activities, pursue hobbies, exercise, prioritize healthy eating and sleep. These steps redirect focus away from the object of your obsession.
Mindfulness practices like meditation help bring awareness to intrusive thoughts and redirect focus to the present moment. Don't overlook the power of social connections. Spending time with friends and family creates a supportive environment, reminding you that your life extends beyond the object of your obsession.
From a psychological angle, some theories suggest obsessions arise from "catastrophic misinterpretations of one's thoughts." It's about how thoughts are interpreted. Misinterpreting a fleeting thought as meaningful can fuel obsessive cycles. Obsessions persist as long as these misinterpretations linger, diminishing when distorted perceptions weaken.
Interestingly, not all views of obsession are negative. Some suggest that obsession can have positive aspects if it's purposeful and focused. This "positive obsession" can drive productivity and creativity. It's about an obsession that propels individuals towards success and great achievements.
The Bible offers insights into obsession. It generally condemns obsessive behavior and self-centeredness. Emphasis lies on contentment and focusing on God instead of fixating on earthly desires. This perspective encourages living a balanced life centered around God.
Lastly, we address "obsessive love disorder." Although not recognized as a distinct mental illness, it describes excessive preoccupation with another individual. This pattern can signal conditions like OCD or borderline personality disorder (BPD). It may also highlight unhealthy relationship dynamics.
From Netflix's steamy "Obsession" to the fatal attractions of various films and the psychological complexities of true stories and Hitchcockian interpretations, themes of obsession captivate us on screen. They mirror our emotional landscapes, embodying intense desire and self-destruction alongside potential for twisted creation arising from human fixation.
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