The 1987 thriller drama Fatal Attraction is one of the best films about infidelity and obsession. The plot follows Daniel Gallagher and Alexandra Forest’s affair, which begins with an infidelity. Dan is married to Beth and has one daughter, Ellen. What starts as a simple fling grows into something bigger for Alex as she slowly becomes obsessed with Dan. Knowing no boundaries, she will go to extremes to have Dan all to herself.
With excellent performances by Michael Douglas, Glenn Close and Anne Archer, the film shows the consequences of an extramarital relationship for the couple and their children. Adrian Lyne directs it based on a short film called ‘Diversion’ written by James Dearden. If you want to see more movies dealing with unhealthy obsessions and infidelity then you need to watch the following movies! You can watch most of these movies similar to ‘Fatal Attraction’ on Netflix, Hulu or Amazon Prime.
8. Body Double (1984)
Directed, written and produced by Brian De Palma, this erotic thriller is inspired by the films of Alfred Hitchcock from the 1950s. With creepy telescopes in the window and an overall evil plan, the film stands out as a thriller that surprises viewers. He follows Jake Scully, who watches through a telescope a woman dancing in her apartment. He keeps an eye on her and eventually becomes a witness to her murder. Fatal Attraction and Body Double share similarities as innocent protagonists being manipulated and drawn into a sinister plan.
7. Single White Female (1992)
Directed by Barbet Schroeder, this erotic thriller follows Allison as she leaves a relationship and finds a new roommate. Hedra soon enters her life as her new roommate. Over time, Hedra develops an unhealthy fixation on Allison and feels an obligation to protect her. Directed by Barbet Schroeder, this film depicts an obsession that stems not from a romantic relationship but from Hedra’s villainous childhood experiences. It is based on the novel by John Lutz SWF sucht Same. Both ‘Fatal Attraction’ and ‘Single White Female’ show the resulting insanity rooted in obsession and harmful possessiveness.
6. Misery (1990)
Rob Reiner’s Misery deals with a very elusive subject: a fan, Annie, falls madly in love with best-selling author Paul. After being seriously injured in an accident, Paul remains in Annie’s care. Soon after, Annie becomes furious when she learns of Paul’s plans for the next chapter in his story. She threatens to hold him prisoner and manipulates him into changing history. The film aptly describes the horrors of captivity and molestation at the hands of a so-called fan. Perfectly titled, the thriller film depicts the agony and misery of the people who become the object of such an obsession. Based on Stephen King’s novel, the film’s themes are similar to those of Fatal Attraction, as Alex and Annie don’t stop before they get what they desire most.
5. Dangerous Liaisons (1988)
Stephen Frears’ ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ explores the dark side of love and relationships, with each character hiding something behind their innocent exterior. Jealousy and blind lies come into play and ruin several lives, with the romance between the Comte de Bastide and the Marquise de Merteuil being the main cause. A 1782 French novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos forms the basis of this historical drama. Different lives intertwine in a romance between members of the royal court. Merteuil is heartbroken when her relationship with Bastide ends. The schemes and schemes of Alex in Fatal Attraction and the Marquise de Merteuil in Dangerous Liaisons are almost identical. Additionally, Glenn Close portrays the roles in both films with their fondness for such characters.
4. Sleeping With The Enemy (1991)
The 1991 psychological thriller is based on a 1971 novel by Nancy Price. With Julia Roberts in the female lead, the film chronicles the struggles of Laura as she runs away from her controlling husband, Martin. Behind the charming and loving demeanor hides a controlling and domineering freak who repeatedly abuses Laura. She decides to take matters into her own hands and runs away from him. But tragedy catches up with her when Martin tracks her down. The film’s antagonist, directed by Joseph Ruben, shares many similarities with Alex, as both strive to control their partners who want nothing to do with them.
3. The Crush (1993)
Alan Shapiro’s psychological thriller The Crush centers on famous writer Nick (Cary Elwes) who moves to a new city. He is attracted to the landlord’s daughter, Adrian (Alicia Silverstone), and has trouble repelling her advances. Things get ugly as Adrian becomes increasingly angry and dejected when Nick doesn’t reciprocate. The film is said to be based on a true story that happened with the film’s director and shows the intensity of a person’s obsession and the different ways in which it manifests itself. Nonetheless, the bold pursuit of Alex and Adrian is very similar in both films as they show the manic behaviors of the possessed.
2. Fear (1996)
Directed by James Foley, Fear follows the life of a wealthy family whose young daughter Nicole (Reese Witherspoon) falls in love with a mysterious man, David (Mark Wahlberg), who has a dark side. Themes such as drugs, rape and even murder are explored in David’s quest to have Nicole all to himself. A fatal teen attraction, the psychological thriller aptly portrays the downfall of people in a relationship when jealousy, possessiveness and control set in. Just as Alex wants Dan all to himself in Fatal Attraction, David unleashes his dark side when someone gets between him and Nicole. In spite of Because of his need to dominate Nicole, David also indulges in affairs with other women and cheats on Nicole.
1. Unfaithful (2002)
Adrian Lyne’s ‘Unfaithful’ follows the descent of a marriage into ruin. Connie begins an affair with another handsome man, Paul. The mutual attraction between the two proves fatal because it affects Connie’s life with her husband Edward and their child Charlie. Also, we see Connie in a constant struggle with what she wants and what is haunting her. Edward from Unfaithful and Beth from Fatal Attraction seem to be on the same page as they protect their partners from their respective extramarital partners. Both Dan and Connie cheat on their partners, disrupting their married life and family.