“Fatal Attraction” (2023) & “Presumed Innocent” (2024): Re-Imagining 1980s Thrillers

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Fatal Attraction (2023)

A deep-dive reimagining of the classic 1980s thriller, exploring timeless themes of marriage and infidelity through the lens of modern attitudes toward strong women, personality disorders and coercive control. -Synopsis

I was looking forward to this series, b/c was a fan of the 1987 movie. I reviewed the 1st ep earlier: https://knightleyemma.com/2023/05/07/fatal-attraction-e1. I wanted to see more of the characters’ backstories (esp. Alex); one of the biggest criticisms of the movie is that Alex doesn’t have any friends or go to therapy. Dan (Joshua Jackson) is a family man who’s self-centered, arrogant, and aggressive in his work life (perhaps like IRL ADAs). Alex (Lizzy Caplan) is a loner (also new in town) who speaks w/ a flattened affect (perhaps a choice more suited to Gen Z), but dedicated to helping others as a victim advocate. Their workday lives don’t look glam (like in the movie); rather, we see bland govt buildings of LA. Some viewers felt that Caplan is miscast; others found her BOTH creepy and sympathetic. There is little chemistry btwn the two leads; they’d fit better as friends. This made it hard to believe that Dan would risk his (seemingly happy) family life for Alex! The show has TOO many side characters, uninspiring dialogue, and V little plot development. This show aimed to be deep, esp. re: the father-daughter relationship; I don’t think it worked. And the odd choice of ending- wow- talk about random! If you still decide to check or out, let me know your thoughts.

Presumed Innocent (2024)

A horrific murder upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s’ office when one of its own is suspected of the crime. -Synopsis

Jake Gyllenhaal gets a LOT to do here as Rusty Sabich (originally played by Harrison Ford); he’s the deputy prosecutor of Chicago. He was assumed to succeed his older boss/friend, Raymond Horgan (Bill Camp) when he stepped down. Camp (a veteran character actor) and his IRL wife (Elizabeth Marvel) are great in their scenes together. However, the DA was ousted in a recent election; the new DA, Nico Della Guardia (O.T. Fagbenle), installs his own #2 man, Tommy Molto (Peter Sarsgard; also BIL of Gyllenhaal). Sarsgard embodies an awkward loner (w/ a huge chip on his shoulder) V well! Some viewers eventually found him sympathetic; he loves his cat. The action centers on the brutal murder of ADA Carolyn Polhemus (Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve; seen in flashbacks); she and Rusty were having an affair. Of course, Rusty becomes the prime suspect, then is shortly arrested!

I thought this series had some interesting moments (mainly in the courtroom); it’s V different (incl. the ending) from the 1990 movie. Barbara is played by Ruth Negga (Irish/Ethiopian); she works at an art gallery. In the movie, there was just one young son; here we have two intelligent/sensitive teens, Kyle (Kingston Runi Southwick), and Jaden (Chase Infiniti- before fame). Unfortunately, there is no chemistry btwn Gyllenhaal; and Negga; they come off as sleepwalking through marriage. There is another teen added; you will have to watch to find out more. How did you think the (expanded/added) women characters were handled?

“Eden” (2024) starring Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby, Daniel Bruhl, & Sydney Sweeney

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Based on a factual account of a group of outsiders who settle on a remote island only to discover their greatest threat isn’t the brutal climate or deadly wildlife, but each other. -Synopsis

Ritter: Do not be fooled by our success, Herr Wittmer. No one else has been able to survive, because life here is gruesome, frustrating. Failure is inevitable.

The film is based on the true story of European settlers on Floreana Island in the Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) a few years before WWII. Freidrich Ritter (Jude Law) and his life partner, Dore Strauch (Vanessa Kirby), have spent 2 yrs. living alone on a remote island. FYI: Production took place primarily in Queensland, Australia. Friedrich focuses on writing his manifesto, while Dore resolves to cure her M.S. via meditation. One day, they’re joined by the eager/earnest Wittmer family: Heinz (Daniel Bruhl), his pre-teen son Harry, and his much younger 2nd wife, Margret (Sydney Sweeney). Shortly after arriving, Margret learns she is pregnant; the Wittmers (much to the chagrin of their neighbors) become capable farmers. This small community grows again when a young woman, Eloise (Ana de Armas), arrives w/ her two lovers: Robert (Toby Wallace) and Rudolph (Felix Kammerer), along w/ their Ecuadorian servant. Eloise (called Baroness) is vain, pretentious, and lives a hedonistic lifestyle. She also has a plan to build a lavish hotel on this land!

A cohesive theme gets marooned in Eden’s melodramatic dramatization of a colorful true story, but it does provide a starry cast and salacious thrills as compensation. -Rotten Tomatoes

This (hot mess) of a film (directed by Ron Howard- a former Oscar winner) had its world premiere at TIFF in Fall 2024; it had mixed reviews among critics. It sounds V intriguing on paper, BUT is uneven/ineffective in execution. We find two age-gap relationships, which is NOT rare for bougie societies of 1930s Europe. Law and Kirby make a hot pair, BUT their (sometimes) steamy scenes come off under-developed. (Some critics were surprised by how Howard tackled sensuality; he is NOT known for that.) Each actor performs as if he/she is in their own movie! I felt that Bruhl understood/portrayed his character well. De Armas’ character is annoying/unlikeable; the role was written as one-note. As for clueless/sad-eyed Sweeney, she puts on a weird accent and has an extensive birthing scene; I’m mystified by how casting agents/men find her appealing.

Blog & Life Updates: July 2026

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Hey y’all,

How is your Summer going (aside from horrid heat/humidity)? I took 4 days off (before July 4th wknd) for a staycation. My parents visited (after 6 yrs); they moved away from MD ‘burbs in Summer of 2020 (pandemic life). We went to The Wharf (Pink Tiger) and NoMa (La Cosecha: Latin food hall near Union Mkt); both places are showing World Cup (soccer) games.

I’m planning to be more social (or just going out solo) in coming month; I mostly slept/did errands and chores over wknds in June (NOT my idea of fun). July will be my last mo. at Orangetheory; I need to save money/focus more on the food component of health. However, I do recommend trying OTF (IF in good health/under 40). One of the former OTF coaches (Jon Beal) is an actor; he is part of the ensemble in Othello (STC) starring Wendell Pierce. I’ve joined Real Roots; I went to 2 intro events (happy hrs), BUT haven’t been matched w/ a group yet. I’m at an age/stage of life when expanding ones social circle can be a challenge. I’m planning to go to more DC Movie Club events; the few ppl I met (at Hamnet play at STC) were V nice/laid-back.

Speaking of movies… many cinephiles (IRL/online) are buzzing re: Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey; it will be widely released on FRI, 7/17. I got ticket for TUES, 7/21, at local Alamo Drafthouse; TUES is the day for deals at many movie theater chains. Did you read the book before or see any of the adaptations? I recall reading it in 9th grade; I was in the advanced English class.

FYI: Hi, skin (open 2 yrs in 14th St corridor) is having a deal on facials (IF you’re in DC metro area). I got a regular facial last wk.

Thanks for reading & subscribing! This blog has over 800,000 hits- how FAB!

-EMMA

Currently Watching:

House of the Dragon (HBO MAX)

Love Story (Disney+)

Upcoming Reviews: Movies

Disclosure Day (2026)

Eden (2024)

Elmer Gantry (1959): Rewatch

Project Hail Mary (2026)

Send Help (2026)

The Return (2024)

Upcoming Reviews: TV/Streaming Shows

Imperfect Women (2026)

Fatal Attraction (2023) & Presumed Innocent (2024): Reimagining 1980s Thrillers