Ellie lives with a man who claims to be her husband, and a young girl that she’s told is her daughter. She doesn’t know what to believe, as she vividly recalls being someone else entirely.
Affection stars the horror darling, Jessica Rothe, as Ellie, a woman with an aggressive medical disorder that causes her memories to lapse. To make the situation worse, her flare ups cause her to see her husband and daughter as complete strangers. When she wakes in her bed, she finds herself next to an unfamiliar man, and she lacks any maternal instincts toward her child. Feeling more like a hostage than a wife and mother, Ellie still tries her best to let her family assist her through her terrifying mental state. However, the familial disconnection escalates as Ellie begins to recall another life, in which she had a completely different name and family. Riddled with fear and guilt, she seeks out the truth about her condition in this brutal tale of impostor syndrome and terrifying truths.
Audiences will find themselves greeted with a fairly jarring opening scene prior to being introduced to the film’s main setting. With instant violence and a remote homestead located directly in the middle of nowhere, it would be easy to mistake Affection for being another predictable outing within the horror genre. I can gladly report that you’ll find something far more original and inspired than anything I’ve seen in recent memory. Writer, Director, and first time filmmaker, BT Meza, delivers a phenomenal example of horror done right. You’ll feel at home in the setting, and accustomed to the kind of thriller you’ll undoubtedly start making predictions about. Place no bets though, as the movie has lured you into a false sense of security before shifting gears and taking you somewhere unexpected in the best ways possible. It would be a crime for me to rob you of the experience by showcasing what many other reviewers have carelessly slipped into their headlines. If this review sparks curiosity, I highly suggest seeing Affection before reading any more about it on any other outlet.
The entire cast only consists of the three aforementioned characters. Horror fans will immediately recognize Jessica Rothe from the Happy Death Day franchise. She acts alongside Joseph Cross and child actor Julianna Layne, who both do a fantastic job portraying Bruce and Alice as they deal with their escalating family crisis. Each performance is sincere and every actor deserves praise for portraying an emotional roller-coaster without making it feel melodramatic or too over-the-top. Beautifully balanced in their approach, the cast delivers performances that elevate a first-time filmmaker’s project in a way that makes it rise above many films from seasoned creators. This is also thanks to an appropriately tense soundtrack, solid cinematography, and beautifully gory effects. Affection is right at home with the best of the year’s horror offerings. With everyone’s efforts combined, we’re given a tense, occasionally brutal, and totally original horror film worthy of your time.
Affection has elements within it that many filmmakers would likely use CG for, but chooses to take a practical route that gives it a more believable feel. No matter what was on screen, at no point was I “taken out of the movie”. A story that will have you wondering who to fear, and who’s actually in danger, Affection twists the narrative in ways that blur the genre and circumvent all expectations. With the right blend of mystery and violence, you’ll find yourself hooked on a journey that rewards you for your curiosity. It’s my hope that this is the premiere of many great things to come from BT Meza, as much as it’s a fantastic entry in Jessica Rothe’s growing “Scream Queen” status. Affection will make you wonder who’s who before having you ask yourself how far you would go for those you love. You can currently catch this horror hit in select theaters at the time of this review’s publishing. If it’s near you, it’s worth the cost of admission.
