This Tempting Madness is a dark, twisted thriller that keeps you guessing from beginning to end. Simone Ashley delivers an incredible performance.
I love a thriller that keeps me on my toes, and that is exactly what This Tempting Madness does. The fact that it is inspired by a true story is what intrigued me, but it was the lead performance from Simone Ashley that captivated me.
This Tempting Madness follows Mia, a woman who awakens from a coma with her mind and memory completely fractured. As she slowly attempts to piece together the fragments of her past, the film takes us down a dark, winding path where she starts to question not only the people around her, but her own actions and her very perception of reality.
Simone Ashley is nothing short of incredible throughout the entire movie. Carrying a psychological thriller where the protagonist is an unreliable narrator is an immense challenge, but Ashley anchors the film beautifully. As we go on this harrowing journey with her, it becomes genuinely impossible to know what is real and what isn’t. I found myself constantly changing my thoughts and opinions on Mia, as well as the other characters, which is the sign of a great thriller.
Because Mia’s memory is shattered, we, as the audience, are completely aligned with her perspective. We don’t get information before she does, nor do we have a broader view of the mystery. Instead, we discover things right alongside her, experiencing every sudden realization, every moment of self-doubt, and every terrifying breakthrough in real-time.
The supporting cast does a great job as well, but this is truly Simone’s film. She demands attention in every scene that she is in. Without spoilers, the script requires a lot from her, and she absolutely delivers.
The cinematography and editing really shine here as well, working in perfect tandem to mirror Mia’s fractured mental state. The camera angles and lighting create an underlying sense of paranoia, while the sharp, deliberate editing choices mimic the disjointed nature of recovering lost memories. Together, they form a visual language that constantly keeps viewers guessing, ensuring that we never feel too comfortable or too certain.
All of that to say that if you aren’t sure about the first act, continue watching. I, too, felt that the opening sequences leaned into a few familiar whodunnit tropes, and I was certain I knew where things were going. However, they take a sharp turn, and by act two, I was all the way in.
The third act is absolutely the best part of This Tempting Madness, although the film really works as a whole. It is here that the big reveals come one after another. I found myself gripping onto the edge of my seat, leaning forward, and completely captivated by how things were playing out. I never could have guessed the route things were going, and because of that, this became one of the most shocking movies of the year.
This Tempting Madness is a rare thriller that respects its audience’s intelligence while still managing to completely catch them off guard. I don’t think anyone will be prepared for where this story ultimately goes, and that final act cements it as a must-watch for anyone who craves a genuinely smart, unpredictable mystery.
Rating: 8 out of 10
About This Tempting Madness
Inspired by a true story. Mia awakens from a coma grievously injured, her memory fractured. As she puts the pieces of her past together, she starts to question her own actions, and her perception of reality.
This Tempting Madness is now available on digital.
