🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Peter Sullivan
- Genre: Crime, Drama, Mystery, Thriller
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 37min
- IMDb rating: 4.5/10 (27K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 17%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Woman gets amnesia, wakes up married to a dude who’s really into home improvement, and a detective uses her tattoo to solve everything because apparently that’s how police work now.
🍿 Secret Obsession: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Attack and Amnesia
The movie opens with Jennifer fleeing from an attacker on a rainy night. She’s struck by a car, resulting in severe injuries and complete amnesia. When she wakes up in the hospital, a man introduces himself as her husband, Russell, but Jennifer has no memory of him or her life.

Life with ‘Russell’
Russell takes Jennifer to their secluded mountain home, claiming it will help her regain her memories. However, Jennifer feels uneasy and notices inconsistencies, such as manipulated photographs. She also discovers that Russell is locking her in at night, fueling her suspicions that something isn’t right.

Detective Page’s Investigation
Detective Frank Page, haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his daughter, investigates Jennifer’s accident. He becomes suspicious of Russell due to inconsistencies in his story and the discovery of a white pickup truck connected to the initial attack. The detective’s persistence puts him on the trail of a dangerous deception.

Unmasking the Imposter
Detective Page uncovers that the man claiming to be Russell is actually Ryan Gaerity, a former coworker with a history of violent behavior. Meanwhile, Jennifer discovers her true identity and that the real Russell is missing. The imposter’s obsession and Jennifer’s desperate fight for survival reach a boiling point.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Jennifer Williams (Brenda Song): A newlywed woman who suffers amnesia after a brutal attack and must uncover the truth about her identity and the man claiming to be her husband.
- Russell/Ryan Gaerity (Mike Vogel): Jennifer’s obsessive and deranged co-worker who impersonates her husband after she loses her memory.
- Detective Frank Page (Dennis Haysbert): A determined detective investigating Jennifer’s case while haunted by the unsolved disappearance of his own daughter.
- Real Russell (Daniel Booko): Jennifer’s actual husband, whose identity is stolen by Ryan, leading to dire consequences.
- Nurse Masters (Ashley Scott): A nurse who attends to Jennifer at the hospital and unknowingly provides information to the imposter Russell.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Russell: “You were in an accident, and you hit your head. You don’t remember me, do you?” – Russell says this to Jennifer in the hospital after she wakes up with amnesia, setting the stage for his deception.
- Ryan/Russell: “I loved you!” – Ryan shouts this at Jennifer before she kills him.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Secret Obsession Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a cheesy thriller, and honestly, that’s exactly what I got. Brenda Song does a pretty good job with what she’s given, but the whole plot felt like a Lifetime movie. There were so many moments where I was just yelling at the screen, like ‘Why would you do that?!’ Still, I was entertained in a ‘so bad it’s good’ kind of way. I laughed, I cringed, I judged. Overall, a perfect movie night with friends and pizza.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of suspenseful thrillers with a focus on psychological elements”
- “Viewers who enjoy movies about amnesia and identity theft”
- “People looking for a quick and easy-to-watch Netflix original movie”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and disturbing content”
- “Themes of obsession and stalking”
- “Brief scenes of sexual assault”
Professional Reviews
- IMDb Critic: “A suspense thriller with an unbelievable and improbable plot and is not suspenseful or thrilling. Even Dennis Haysbert can’t save this bad movie.
- Netflix Reviewer: “Predictable plot, but still kept me watching. It needed a twist and had a few loose ends that didn’t make sense, such as the bearded man who got murdered. Good time filler but not a thriller.
- Film Critic: “The film is hampered by a predictable narrative, convenient plot devices, and underdeveloped characters. While Brenda Song delivers a committed performance, the script does her no favors, relying on tired tropes. Dennis Haysbert brings gravitas, but his detective character feels underdeveloped.
Audience Reactions
I can’t say this is the worst movie ever made, but mostly that’s because I haven’t seen every movie ever made.: The reviews are great to read.
The guy provided a beautiful home for his “wife”… A guy can’t catch a break these days.: Plot holes galore!
Overall Consensus: A forgettable thriller with a predictable plot and questionable acting, perfect for a guilty-pleasure movie night if you’re not expecting too much.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Brenda Song and Daniel Booko, who plays the ‘real Russell’, previously worked together on ‘The Suite Life of Zack and Cody’, where Song played London Tipton and Booko played London’s crush in one episode.”
- “The movie was filmed in Pomona, California.”
- “Many reviewers have pointed out plot holes and unrealistic scenarios, contributing to its low rating.”
🖥️ How to Watch Secret Obsession?
Secret Obsession is currently available for streaming on Netflix. While it’s not available for rent or purchase on platforms like Prime Video or Apple TV, you can easily access it with a Netflix subscription. Check your local Netflix availability, as content can vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Secret Obsession, you might like these similar films:
- Before I Go to Sleep (2014): Features a woman with amnesia who must piece together her past while not knowing who to trust, similar to Jennifer’s situation.
- Misery (1990): A woman is held captive by an obsessive fan, creating a suspenseful and terrifying situation akin to Jennifer’s confinement.
- The Stepfather (1987): Explores the theme of a seemingly perfect family man who is actually a dangerous and deceptive individual.
🛒 Secret Obsession Related Products
- Amnesia Movie Collection DVD Set: A collection of movies about amnesia. Includes ‘Before I Go to Sleep’, ‘Memento’, and more!
- SentrySafe Fireproof Waterproof Safe with Digital Lock: Protect your valuables and important documents with this fireproof and waterproof safe. Features a digital lock for added security.
- Lock Picking Set: Comprehensive lock picking set for practice and educational purposes. Learn the art of lock manipulation.
- The Woman in Cabin 10: A Novel: A suspenseful mystery novel by Ruth Ware, featuring a journalist trapped on a cruise ship with a killer.
🎧 Soundtrack
Secret Obsession features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The man who left flowers at the hospital was Jim Kahn, a witness to Jennifer’s initial accident. He saw the white pickup truck involved and tried to provide information, but he was killed by Ryan (posing as Russell) to prevent him from revealing the truth.
Detective Frank Page’s daughter went missing and was never found. This personal tragedy fueled his obsession with Jennifer’s case and his determination to prevent her from suffering a similar fate. The unresolved disappearance adds a layer of depth to his character and his motivations.
Ryan knew about Jennifer’s tattoo because he was obsessed with her and likely saw it before the accident. He used this knowledge to convince the hospital staff and Detective Page that he was her husband, Russell, further solidifying his false identity.
🔥 Bonus Content
BRENDA SONG IN A WHEELCHAIR: THE MOVIE (feat. JON COZART / PAINT)
Ever wondered what’s *really* going on in ‘Secret Obsession’? This hilarious commentary track by Pretty Much It and Jon Cozart dives deep into the movie’s absurdity. Trust me, you’ll never watch it the same way again!
✨ Rate
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