Obsessed (PG-13, 2009)

common sense media says

Fatal Attraction "lite" too risque for young teens.


parents & educators say
  • 70% say sexual content is an issue
  • 50% say language is an issue

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Fatal Attraction-esque thriller is too edgy for young Beyonce fans. There's a lot of sexuality (lingerie scenes, aggressive pursuit, implied nudity), although no actual sex scenes. Except for the main male character, there are no positive role models; instead, there are many negative stereotypes -- especially about women in the workplace. For most of the movie, there's more harassment than violence, but a final showdown includes punching, kicking, and more. Language includes words like "s--t," "a--hole," and "bitch," and there are several scenes of adults drinking and getting drunk. One main character is unknowingly drugged, while another purposely overdoses on prescription drugs.

Positive messages: The film includes plenty of gender stereotyping. For instance, one man says that "single gals consider work their hunting grounds," implying that women are more interested in snagging a husband than succeeding profesionally. There's really no positive take-away to be found.
Positive role models: Poor role models include libidinous male executives who talk
about their female coworkers' bodies and an office gossip who doesn't
think twice about revealing personal information about his boss' life ... not to mention Lisa herself, who pursues Derek at all costs. On the plus side, Derek's character defies certain established
Hollywood stereotypes by being an African-American executive who's
loyal to his family.
Violence: Until the climactic fight scene (which is an all-out tussle with lots of pushing, hair grabbing, punching, and kicking), there's not much violence per se, but there's a lot of stalking and sexual harassment.
Sex: A married couple embraces and discusses "christening" their new house. Lisa flirts with Derek, showing some leg and bantering playfully. As she becomes obsessed, she aggressively throws herself at him, trying to unbuckle his pants and kiss him. On other occasions, she finds him and reveals that she's wearing nothing but lingerie, spikes his drink with a drug and climbs on top of him when he's nearly passed out, and enters his hotel room and gets naked under the covers (only her shoulders are visible) -- viewers see her kissing him, but the camera cuts away before it's clear what happens next. Derek's co-workers make several inappropriate references to Lisa (and his wife) about office "eye candy" and "piece of ass," etc.
Language: Language includes "s--t," "ass," "a--hole," "bitch," "oh my God," "goddamn," and the like.
Consumerism: Brands with prominent product placement include Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Old Navy, and Bugaboo strollers, and Christian Louboutin's red-soled heels.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Adults drink, at times heavily, at an office Christmas party and various dinners. Lisa overdoses on prescription pills (appearing unconscious in bed) and also laces Derek's drink with an unknown drug.

More on Obsessed

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about the movie's messages about relationships and sexuality. Do you think it reinforces stereotypes or tries to undermine them?
  • What role does technology play in the plot? Do you know anyone who's been stalked in real life or online? What steps can people take to protect themselves from obsessive suitors?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Derek Charles (Idris Elba) has a seemingly perfect life. He's an attractive, affluent money manager with a gorgeous wife named Sharon (Beyonce Knowles), a beautiful toddler son, and a brand-new house. Enter sultry office temp Lisa (Ali Larter), who has her predatory eyes set on Derek from the start. When Sharon first meets Lisa, it's obvious to her that the new employee has a thing for her husband. After some flirtatious banter, iffy office coversations, and wildly inappropriate behavior at the office Christmas party, Lisa starts to imagine that she and Derek are having an affair. So she starts stalking Derek and ruining his happy, successful life.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

OBSESSED has an entertaining camp value that saves it from falling completely flat, but it's not nearly as memorable as '80s cultural touchstone Fatal Attraction. Elba, who's a riveting actor (see the first three seasons of HBO's The Wire) deserving of much better roles, is never guilty of even a one-night-stand, unlike Attraction's Michael Douglas. Without that all-important consensual betrayal (and the lack of anything nearly as creepy as a dead rabbit), it's difficult to feel any sympathy for Lisa, the way audiences initially felt for Glenn Close's woman scorned. Poor Derek is simply a victim of a crazy woman's psychosexual delusions, instead of the much more interesting character he would have been had he (almost understandably) accepted Lisa's ridiculously aggressive advances. After all, his wife was once his assistant, too, so he's certainly not above falling for a sexy subordinate.

Ultimately, the whole thing is basically a 90-minute prelude to the much-hyped girlfight between Lisa and Sharon, who's not about to let a nutty vamp destroy her family. For many viewers (as evidenced by at least one audience's adulatory applause and whooping), that showdown is all that matters. But for anyone who still feels a little chill every time they think of a frizzy-haired Close springing up in the bathtub, Obsessed is a midlly amusing disappointment.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Screen Gems
Director: Steve Shill
Cast: Ali Larter, Beyonce Knowles, Idris Elba
Genre: Thriller
Run time: 101 minutes
Theatrical release: April 24, 2009
DVD release: August 4, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: sexual material including some suggestive dialogue, some violence and thematic content
Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 10 parent & educator reviews:
  • 70% say sexual content is an issue
  • 50% say language is an issue
  • 40% say violence is an issue
  • 40% say there's too much drinking, drugs, or smoking

Most useful reviews by all members

9hemmatip
teen, 14 years old
 
This was a greatt movie. Not that much sexual stuff just a couple of seconds of kissing and touching.....

latifh
teen, 18 years old
 
#1 fan
nice move

PYEsinc
teen, 14 years old
 
For Teens and Up
Very intense violence at the end (a very graphic catfight), tons of crime/evil, and a lot of bad language.

 

eastside01
teen, 17 years old
 
You're obsession will be short.
Obsessed is a failed attempt to be as good as Fatal Attraction. The movie has a sort of die hard feel to it only being that the die hard character is Ali Larter that does crazy stuff such as drugging and rape that is not shown, etc. and they also "kill" the movie at the end and you'll see why.

 
best movie ever
best movie ever

alpha1014
teen, 16 years old
 

Spielberg00
teen, 14 years old
 
Pretty bad acting, and extremely bad role models. Not for young viewers.
My rating: PG-13 [borderline with R] for sexual themes and plot material, frequent language, some alcohol use and a brief sequence of tense violence.

415
parent of 9 year old
 
i say if it is appropriate for your age it is good it could really happen to someone and it is good (scary intence and a good movie).

Chrihddjason
kid, 12 years old
 
off 12 and under iffy 12-18 on 18 and up
thats like Drag me to h*ll.

directerdude123
teen, 18 years old
 
Don't bother
wow, this movie was horrible! this movie will give you high blood pressure because the people make stupid choices and tward the end of the movie it got more comic then serious. The best part of this movie was the last 10 mins where they tried to make it intense but it was just funny. The only highlight is is that the man being stocked is very true to his wife and wants the best for her, I mean who wouldn't its Beyonce!

miansmith
educator
 

ASSASSINator
teen, 17 years old
 
Another underrated movie
Obsessed is one of those underrated movies. It's actually pretty good. I give it a 7.9 out of 10. There's nothing really bad to watch out for in this movie. No offence but commonsense makes some things seem worse than they really are. It's not "too edgy for young Beyonce fans". Sure there are some swearing and a little violence (I've seen way worse than this) and some kissing here and there but it's not bad for kids 9 and up and not really under it. I'd recommend this movie.

smexyme101
teen, 15 years old
 
Greatest movie ever made! not for ages -12
I loved this movie. it was amazing, but it had scenes that were not appropriate for young children. lots of sex scenes and one part where a woman tried to have sex with a mmarried man in a bathroom stall. the story was suspenseful and easy to follow. the acting was fanominal. Beyonce was great. there was a fight that ended in a murder. there was alchol use in this movie too. it does not teach young children good examples. but beyonce is a major role model! i loved the movie, but it's not for children under 12.

SayWut
teen, 17 years old
 
I don't wanna give a review title, hoe
It's just about a insane chick who wants some guy who's married. If you've seen fatal attraction this will suck to you. But if not you may enjoy it.

samples964
teen, 15 years old
 
not inappropriate
i think this movie is not violent until the end and at my age 13 i already know what they are talking about and hear it all the time so it is no big deal.

bananalover
teen, 16 years old
 
AwEsOmE
this movie is awesome

ferry
adult
 
Perfect for older kids i.e. above 18
The importance of self control. The married man could have opted to sleep with the young sexy assistant but he was obligated to his wife and really wanted his marriage to work. Also parents watching with their kids should let them know that this is a movie but that in real life, murder should never be an option to solve differences

TheSuperman765
teen, 16 years old
 
i rate this title IFFY for ages 12+
What to watch out for * Messages: The film includes plenty of gender stereotyping. For instance, one man says that "single gals consider work their hunting grounds," implying that women are more interested in snagging a husband than succeeding profesionally. There's really no positive take-away to be found. * Role models: Poor role models include libidinous male executives who talk about their female coworkers' bodies and an office gossip who doesn't think twice about revealing personal information about his boss' life ... not to mention Lisa herself, who pursues Derek at all costs. On the plus side, Derek's character defies certain established Hollywood stereotypes by being an African-American executive who's loyal to his family. * Violence: Until the climactic fight scene (which is an all-out tussle with lots of pushing, hair grabbing, punching, and kicking), there's not much violence per se, but there's a lot of stalking and sexual harassment. * Sex: A married couple embraces and discusses "christening" their new house. Lisa flirts with Derek, showing some leg and bantering playfully. As she becomes obsessed, she aggressively throws herself at him, trying to unbuckle his pants and kiss him. On other occasions, she finds him and reveals that she's wearing nothing but lingerie, spikes his drink with a drug and climbs on top of him when he's nearly passed out, and enters his hotel room and gets naked under the covers (only her shoulders are visible) -- viewers see her kissing him, but the camera cuts away before it's clear what happens next. Derek's co-workers make several inappropriate references to Lisa (and his wife) about office "eye candy" and "piece of ass," etc. * Language: Language includes "s--t," "ass," "a--hole," "bi-ch," "oh my God," "godd--n," and the like. * Consumerism: Brands with prominent product placement include Mercedes Benz, Cadillac, Old Navy, and Bugaboo strollers, and Christian Louboutin's red-soled heels. * Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Adults drink, at times heavily, at an office Christmas party and various dinners. Lisa overdoses on prescription pills (appearing unconscious in bed) and also laces Derek's drink with an unknown drug.

filmlover123
teen, 14 years old
 
Not that great a movie, not that great for young kids
Only Violence in it is really at the end, one man is drugged and then raped, no nudity shown. A woman dresses suggestively. Profanity includes no f bombs, a couple s words, a**holes, b**ches, and damns

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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