Obsession – Netflix Series Review

OBSESSION on Netflix is a new limited series with just four episodes. It’s a hot and steamy thriller about consequences. The episodes are each around 40 minutes, so it’s fairly quick to binge-watch. Read our full Obsession (2023) series review here!

OBSESSION is a new Netflix thriller series with just four episodes. It’s a limited series, but we all know that if this is a popular title, Netflix will be sure to make a season 2. And I have a feeling this just might turn out to be quite popular.

It’s a thriller series with lots of steamy scenes. The core story is about an affair and the dire consequences of your actions. Also, it’s about being in control and letting others have control. You might think you have most of this figured out, but it isn’t until well into the fourth and final episode that everything is truly made clear.

Continue reading our Obsession (2023) limited series review below. Find all four episodes on Netflix from April 13, 2023.

So hot, so steamy, so predictable?

Very early on in Obsession, the whole “forbidden desire”-element is at the forefront. It’s a limited series with four episodes and the first episode is just over 30 minutes but still includes the first of several steamy scenes. Also, several very undressed scenes.

Yes, including full frontal scenes (oh yeah, plural) from the male lead. Something that is still a rarity, so in the name of equality I applaud this. On a more personal note, I don’t care much either way. Then again I’m European born and raised, so the human body is very natural to me.

While I do find myself getting a bit numb from the overt flirting that instantly turns William (Richard Armitage) into a hound dog, I get that the whole push-and-pull control element is intriguing. However, he is almost salivating within seconds of meeting Anna (Charlie Murphy) which I did find borderline cringey.

Again, I know that’s probably just me and I am certainly not the key demographic for this series. I think fans of 50 Shades of Grey will love that part of the series!

Very strong casting!

Obsession is a quite contemporary adaptation of Josephine Hart’s 1991 novel. Officially, the plot is about a “dangerous love triangle”, but I think that’s oversimplifying things.

It’s also noted that “the enigmatic Anna Barton embarks on a passionate affair with her fiance’s father, William” which I would describe differently. For me, we begin with following William (Richard Armitage) who is in a strong, loving, and passionate relationship with his wife of decades, Ingrid (Indira Varma).

After meeting Anna Barton, he begins an affair with her. Fully knowing, I might add, that this is the same woman his son Jay (Rish Shah) is currently dating. In fact, it’s obvious to everyone that Jay is in love with Anna, but William just can’t help himself.

To be fair, I suppose, it should be said that Anna does go after William. It’s a total power play and she is in complete control. What I quickly found was that I loved Anna’s honesty. She might not tell you everything and uses the phrase “Learn to love the questions”. However, whatever she does say is always the truth. She just does not lie. Ever!

Just like in Stay Close, I am not crazy about Richard Armitage (The Stranger, The Lodge) in this “loverboy” role. It just does not work for me. I did like that he wasn’t supposed to be very likable though. At least I hope this was at least partially the plan. Indira Varma (Game of Thrones) is brilliant as always but doesn’t have that much screen time.

Neither does Rish Shah (Do Revenge, Years and Years) as the son, Jay, but he does have several key scenes. And Pippa Bennett-Warner (Chloe) is also a key part of the plot as Anna’s close friend, Peggy. Finally, Charlie Murphy (The Foreigner, Halo) is quite brilliant as Anna Barton. She is completely honest about what she wants and what she is willing to give.

Can the men in her life accept this?! Well, what do you think?

Watch the Obsession (2023) series on Netflix now!

This new four-part Netflix thriller drama is based on the 1991 novel “Damage” by Josephine Hart. To be fair, it does actually feel like the original title of the novel is more appropriate. Sure, the story is about obsession, but the interesting part of it all is the damage obsessed people cause.

Adapting the novel is screenwriter Morgan Lloyd Malcolm. She decided to look at the story from more angles where the novel was written from William’s point of view. For me, Anna is an intriguing character who clearly has both many issues and layers, so I’m happy we got to experience what makes her tick.

Next from Morgan Lloyd Malcolm is the upcoming thriller The Wasp co-starring Natalie Dormer and Naomie Harris. That one is directed by Guillem Morales who also directed Julia’s Eyes (2010), so I’m really looking forward to that movie.

The directors of the four episodes in this Netflix series are Glenn Leyburn and Lisa Barros D’Sa. The two also co-directed the 2009 movie Cherrybomb. If you tend to like dark thriller dramas with a mystery – and lots of steamy scenes – then you’ll absolutely want to check out Obsession on Netflix now.

The 2023 mini-series Obsession is on Netflix from April 13, 2023.

Details

Directors: Glenn Leyburn, Lisa Barros D’Sa
Script: Morgan Lloyd-Malcolm, Benji Walters
Cast: Richard Armitage, Charlie Murphy, Indira Varma, Rish Shah, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Sonera Angel, Anil Goutam, Marion Bailey