SYNOPSIS: A deep-dive reimagining of the classic 80’s thriller, exploring timeless themes of marriage and infidelity through the lens of modern attitudes toward strong women, personality disorders, and coercive control.
Creators: Kevin J. Hynes and Alexandra Cunningham
Stars: Joshua Jackson, Lizzy Caplan, Amanda Peet
RELEASED: Fatal Attraction aired on Paramount+ from April 30 to May 28, 2023. The series had its international premiere at the 2023 Canneseries on April 18.
REVIEW: The original erotic thriller that set the stage for all femme noir since has got to be the 1987 movie ‘Fatal Attraction.’ Now, I know what you’re thinking: why mess with a good thing? But apparently, Paramount+ thought it’d be a good idea to turn the flick into an eight-episode series. And, well, let’s just say it doesn’t quite hit the same way in 2023. But then, nothing could.
The thing that made Fatal Attraction work back in ’87 was that it took a normal dude (Michael Douglas) and flipped his life upside down when he got caught up in an affair with the wild and unpredictable Alex Forrest (Glenn Close).
This TV version of “Fatal Attraction” attempts to balance affair blame gives Alex a past, and touches upon her mental health, which somewhat explains her behavior. However, it is not a straight-up examination of mental illness. After all, it’s ‘Fatal Attraction,’ which is a very fun ride.
What it is is a full take on how we, as audience members, have changed. The series explores the character’s thought processes and shows everyone’s angle on what happens. I like that, after all, isn’t that how real life is?
Amanda Peet and Alyssa Jirrels tease Beth and Ellen’s relationship with Dan after he’s released from prison for Alex Forrest’s murder.
The series has received mixed reviews. Some critics have found it irritating and that it doesn’t come close to the original with its series, while others have praised it for delving deep into why a relationship turned toxic. Which is where I am. Examining relationships is so very important. Relationships are the driving force behind all we humans do. So, yes, bring such stories on. We need them.
LIFE LESSONS FROM FATAL ATTRACTIONS
Both the original movie and the newly released series “Fatal Attraction” are a cautionary tale about the dangers of infidelity and the consequences of giving in to temptation. Here are some life lessons that can be learned from them:
- Cheating on your spouse or partner can have serious consequences: The movie shows how the main character’s affair with a woman who becomes increasingly unstable leads to his life spiraling out of control.
- Honesty is always the best policy: The main character’s attempts to hide his infidelity from his wife only make things worse and lead to his downfall.
- Don’t underestimate the power of obsession: The woman in the movie becomes obsessed with the main character, and her behavior becomes increasingly dangerous and violent.
- Be careful who you get involved with: The main character’s affair with the woman in the movie ultimately leads to his undoing, and he realizes too late that he should have been more careful about who he got involved with.
- Actions have consequences: The main character’s decision to cheat on his wife leads to a chain of events that have serious consequences for himself and everyone around him. The movie serves as a reminder that our actions always have consequences, and we need to be mindful of the choices we make.
