‘Fatal Affair’ Makes a Decent Time Killer

As we continue to quarantine ourselves during the COVID-19 pandemic, few things remain constant: bills and online streaming companies dropping new releases. Media giant Netflix recently added to its lineup with the dramatic thriller “Fatal Affair,” starring Nia Long, Omar Epps and Stephen Bishop.

When I first heard about the film, I was instantly excited to see a new film with stars of Black Hollywood. The trailer left me wanting to see more. Long and Epps reunited after working in 2004’s “Alfie” and the 1999 classic, “In Too Deep.” In “Fatal Affair” Epps is David Hammond, the handsome, articulate and suave but mysterious antagonist. Stephen Bishop, whom you may recognize from "Being Mary Jane," was cast as Ellie Warren's (Long) husband of more than 20 years, Marcus Warren. He's an architect recovering from an injury as his marriage loses momentum. Ellie is the leading counsel for a large corporate firm. 

At the start of the movie, Marcus and Ellie are now empty nesters and they’re enjoying their newly purchased beach front home. There's a “for sale” sign in the yard that displays the words "SOLD," foreshadowing how quickly the tides can turn. New move, new memories or rather the theme "the grass isn’t always greener on the other side." Those themes are tucked neatly into a storyline that seemed familiar at first glance, but there are some differences from the usual stalker thriller. 

Ellie is the leading lady for two men, and this theme has been done before in other films such as Carmen Jones which starred Dorothy Dandridge. Fatal Affair uses this formula: professional, busy, A-type personality husband cheats on wife with mentally disturbed woman. In Fatal Affair Ellie plans to leave her stable position as lead attorney to begin her own practice. Soon after the Warrens move into their new home, Ellie attends a staff meeting where she’s introduced to new hire David. Ellie greets him warmly and doesn't hide that she knows David from yesteryear, and we learn more about David and Ellie's connection back at Stanford. After a lustful encounter between the two, Ellie attempts to end the connection. Fatal Affair will have you on the edge of your couch. You may even be happy that you’re quarantined inside after watching this movie. 

Other dynamics of “Fatal Affair” that I appreciated were the underlying messages about the Black community and the stigma of getting professional help with mental health disorders. David sheds light on the struggle that so many Black men have with admitting that something is wrong. Seeking mental health help should not be frowned upon but applauded. This message is one of many sprinkled into the film. I thoroughly enjoyed the cinematography. The scenic view of southern California, its beaches, skyscrapers and unique neighborhoods.

Fatal Affair is a movie worth watching; a 90-minute escape from the Covid-19 pandemic. If you’re a fan of any of these actors, you’ll be surprised by their roles.Check it out, it's available on Netflix now.

3.5 stars out of 5