In BT Meza's debut feature thriller Affection, Ellie (Jessica Rothe) wakes up in an unfamiliar bed next to a stranger, naturally assuming the worst. Panicked, she is further disturbed when a little girl calling her mommy appears, distressed that Ellie doesn't recognize her. Is she kidnapped? Why would the girl play along? Bruce (Joseph Cross) intervenes, reassuring his daughter and explaining to Ellie that she has memory loss. He claims to be her husband, and Alice (Julianna Layne) their daughter.
A Twisty Narrative That Keeps You Guessing
If you've ever seen a film before, you know twists are coming. This clever movie keeps you guessing, and when it reveals its hand, there's still plenty of mileage left in the characters. Layne delivers a beautifully calibrated performance as Alice; it's genuinely difficult to determine if she's an innocent caught in a terrifying situation or somehow complicit. That ambiguity is exactly what the character needs. With a film that teases the genre, seeing a child played with such ambiguity is ideal.
Strong Performances from the Adult Leads
Affection is also a showcase for its adult leads, exploring the idea that people who commit evil acts often don't believe they are wrong. Everyone involved does what they think is right. This premise allows one actor in particular to explore a character who causes damage while believing themselves a righteous protector. You may disagree with their choices, but you can't fault their basic motivation.
Affection is available on digital platforms from June 8.
