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Avg. Critic Score: 25 out of 100 Generally unfavorable reviews Metascore^® based on all critic reviews

Information for Parents:

Iffy for 14+

Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

50

Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman
Obsessed has little plausibility, but at moments it's an entertaining bad movie, and the performers are vivid. Read full review
50

L.A. Weekly |
Isn't half as dramatic as what probably went down after she (Beyonc Knowles) kicked LaTavia and LaToya out of Destiny's Child. Read full review
50

Los Angeles Times |
The singer-actress' saucy, glamorously wry performance makes up for some of the film's inherent predictability. Read full review
50

Variety |
Don't expect a pot full of boiling bunnies, because nothing so creatively crazy ever happens in Obsessed, a "Fatal Attraction"-inspired predatory-female domestic thriller that spends much time spinning its wheels and making auds practically beg for an explanation to all the madness and obsession. Read full review
40

Salon.com | Stephanie Zacharek
Takes far too long to get cooking, and it works so hard at NOT being exploitation that it loses sight of its reasons for existing in the first place. Read full review
40

Austin Chronicle | Marjorie Baumgarten
The film may seem a bit undercooked until it gets to the staging of the ultimate battle, but Obsessed is swinging from the chandeliers by the end. Read full review
40

The Hollywood Reporter | Kirk Honeycutt
Every move is telegraphed well in advance thanks to desultory writing, routine direction and ample musical cues. Read full review
20

New York Daily News | Joe Neumaier
Unfortunately, the whole movie seems constructed just to get the singer/actress into a knock-down catfight, shoehorning one of show business's sexiest entertainers into a scorned-woman role. And even then, the pay-off feels cheap. Read full review
10

The New York Times | Stephen Holden
The movie's most disturbing aspect, of which the filmmakers could not have been unaware, is the physical resemblance between Mr. Elba and Ms. Larter to O. J. and Nicole Brown Simpson. It lends Obsessed a distasteful taint of exploitation. Read full review
0

Rolling Stone | Peter Travers
Memo to Beyonc Knowles: You were so good as Etta James in "Cadillac Records," so why'd you go spoil everything with a rank cheeseball thriller that buries you in clichs and won't even help you dig yourself out? Read full review

Metacritic link View more reviews for Obsessed on Metacritic

Information for Parents

Common Sense Media says Iffy for 14+ Fatal Attraction "lite" too risque for young teens.

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.

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?

The good stuff

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.

What to watch for

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 and 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.

Common Sense Media An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.