Ellie Carter (Jessica Rothe) finds herself living with Bruce (Joseph Cross), a man who claims to be her husband but that she has no memory of, and their daughter Alice (Julianna Layne). Insistent that they are married and that Ellie is having problems with her memory, Bruce tells her that they must remain secluded while she recovers. Plagued by violent seizures that reset her memory, Ellie starts to piece together who she is and what is happening to her.
‘Affection’ is the debut psychological horror from writer and director BT Meza. It opens with an unsettling sequence where Ellie is seriously injured and trying to get home, before she’s struck by a car. She wakes up in bed, seemingly fine, and is convinced that she isn’t the person that her husband Bruce tells her she is. Ellie believes she is another woman, but Bruce shuts down the conversation quickly. A mysterious puncture mark on the back of Ellie’s neck has her questioning what’s happened to her, and if she can trust the family that claims to be hers.
Essentially a three-hander, ‘Affection’ creates a claustrophobic feeling and you sympathise with Ellie, who is struggling with her memory and trying to understand what is happening to her. Bruce seems like a perfectly decent man, but there’s an undertone of dread to the entire film. Despite feeling like Alice isn’t her daughter, Ellie bonds with the young girl and the two find solace in each other. Whether or not Alice is any more clued up to what’s going on then Ellie is debatable for most of the film.
‘Affection’ mixes elements of body horror with sci-fi, and there’s plenty of drama in the mix too. Ellie is adamant that she has a husband and a son, not a husband and a daughter (and certainly not the husband she’s with), but her memory loss is explained away. Is she being gaslit or has she suffered a traumatic brain injury? Of course, Ellie starts to figure out what’s actually happening and the film spirals into some dodgy sci-fi territory from that point. I don’t want to reveal what’s going on, as it will impact those that haven’t seen the film, but you are required to switch off your brain and go with it without questions.
Jessica Rothe, who is best known for the ‘Happy Death Day’ films, gives a strong performance as Ellie. Fans are used to seeing her lean into more comedic roles but here she’s required to give an exhausting performance. She brings to life the constant trauma that Ellie experiences with her seizures very well, and she shows that she can give a solid dramatic performance. Joseph Cross is perfectly cast as the seemingly nicely, but possibly not, Bruce and he keeps you guessing with his shape-shifting performance.
By the time the reveal happens you’ll either have guessed what’s going on or you’ll just be utterly confused. ‘Affection’ doesn’t really manage to delve into the science of its core story, hoping the viewer will just accept what’s happening. There are some interesting ideas in here but they aren’t fleshed out enough and the film’s limited budget definitely begins to show by the end. ‘Affection’ is an OK film but it’s not quite as profound or thought-provoking as it thinks it is.
Cast: Jessica Rothe, Joseph Cross, Julianna Layne Director: BT Meza Writer: BT Meza Certificate: 15 Duration: 90 mins Released by: Blue Finch Film Releasing Release date: 8th June 2026
