Fatal Affair

Fatal Affair 2020

Directed by

Peter Sullivan

Peter Sullivan

Made by

Netflix

Netflix

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Plot Summary


Ellie Warren is a highly accomplished attorney who shares her life with her husband, Marcus Warren, who is on the road to recovery following a devastating car accident. They have recently relocated to a beautiful coastal home, leaving behind the busy streets of San Francisco, particularly now that their daughter Brittany Warren has embarked on her college journey.

Amidst this transition, Ellie encounters her firm’s new tech consultant, David Hammond, a familiar face from her college days. David, however, is grappling with his own demons, undergoing anger management therapy due to a troubling incident involving a woman named Deborah. Initially, Ellie and David meet for drinks, but the encounter escalates inappropriately in a club’s restroom, despite Ellie trying to maintain her boundaries.

What follows is a harrowing ordeal as David begins a troubling pattern of obsessive behavior—stalking her through relentless phone calls, text messages, and unwelcome surveillance of her new home. He even breaks into her house and hacks into her security system, all while managing to charm Ellie’s friend Courtney. Despite Ellie’s adamant warnings for David to keep his distance, he continues to cross boundaries.

The situation becomes dangerously serious when Ellie learns from a former college peer that David is suspected of murdering his ex-wife Deborah and her new partner shortly after their divorce. Alarmed, Ellie sends an email detailing her suspicions to Courtney, but David swiftly deletes it. The situation spirals further when Ellie is horrified to discover David golfing with Marcus.

In a desperate bid to seek the truth, Ellie persuades the concierge at David’s apartment to grant her access, uncovering a shocking revelation—photos of Deborah and herself taken without her knowledge stored on David’s computer. Just as Ellie calls Courtney to alert her about what she has found, David arrives at Courtney’s home and brutally attacks her, leaving her injured and in need of urgent medical attention.

With the police now on the hunt for David, he resorts to a sinister ploy, attempting to convince the public of his own suicide by setting a homeless man on fire alongside a fake note. Yet, authorities soon recover crucial evidence that links him to the murder of his ex-wife.

One fateful night, Ellie receives a message—presumably from David—urging her to come to her office to sign some documents. Upon arrival, she discovers her assistant has met a tragic fate. Filled with terror, Ellie rushes home to call the police but is confronted by David, whom she bravely knocks unconscious with a vase. The climax unfolds as she uncovers the horrific scene of her daughter Brittany’s boyfriend Scott lifeless and her family—Marcus and Brittany—held captive.

In a final showdown as the police arrive, David kills an officer in the chaos that ensues. As the battle erupts on the beach’s cliffs, Ellie and Marcus confront David, leading to a dramatic conclusion where he falls to his own demise.

Months later, as life begins to return to normal, Ellie and Marcus prepare to send Brittany back to school, signaling a new chapter in their lives while putting the traumatic events behind them as their house is put up for sale.

Timeline


Relocation to Coastal Home

Ellie and Marcus Warren move from the bustling streets of San Francisco to a serene coastal home. This decision coincides with their daughter Brittany's departure for college, marking a new chapter in their lives.

Coastal Home

Meeting David Hammond

Ellie encounters David Hammond, a tech consultant at her law firm, who she recognizes from her college days. Unbeknownst to her, David is dealing with his own issues, including anger management stemming from a troubling past incident.

Law Firm

Inappropriate Encounter

During an initial meeting meant to establish professional rapport, Ellie and David share drinks that escalate into an uncomfortable situation in a club's restroom. Despite Ellie’s attempts to maintain her boundaries, the encounter leaves her unsettled.

Club

David's Obsessive Behavior

Following their encounter, David begins a series of alarming actions, including relentless calls and messages. His obsession grows as he starts surveilling Ellie and breaks into her home, crossing all personal boundaries.

Ellie's Home

Murder Suspicions Arise

Ellie learns from a former college peer of David's horrific past, suspecting him of murdering his ex-wife Deborah. This revelation causes Ellie to feel increasingly threatened and she decides to warn her friend Courtney about David's potential danger.

David's Infiltration

In a confrontational twist, Ellie discovers David golfing with her recovering husband Marcus. This betrayal intensifies her anxiety and her feeling of being surrounded by danger.

Golf Course

Discovery at David's Apartment

Ellie manages to access David's apartment, uncovering shocking evidence of her invasion of privacy. She finds photos of herself and Deborah stored on his computer, revealing the depth of his obsessions.

David's Apartment

Courtney's Attack

As Ellie attempts to inform Courtney about her findings, David arrives at Courtney's home and violently attacks her. This incident leaves Courtney seriously injured and escalates the urgency of Ellie's situation.

Courtney's Home

David's Sinister Plot

With the police on the lookout for him, David devises a disturbing plan to fake his own suicide by igniting a homeless man on fire along with a fabricated note. Authorities quickly gather evidence linking him to the murder of his ex-wife.

Tragic Discovery at the Office

Ellie receives a distressing message from David prompting her to visit the office. Upon arrival, she is horrified to find her assistant has met with a fatal incident, heightening her sense of dread.

Ellie's Office

Confrontation with David

In a chaotic turn of events, Ellie returns home only to be confronted by David. In a moment of bravery, she knocks him unconscious using a vase, giving her a brief reprieve.

Ellie's Home

Family Held Hostage

Ellie discovers a horrific scene at home—her daughter Brittany's boyfriend has been killed, and her family is held captive by David. The stakes are now terrifyingly personal, fueling her desperation to act.

Ellie's Home

Final Showdown

As the police close in, a violent confrontation against David erupts at the beach cliffs. In the chaos, David kills an officer, but ultimately, he meets his demise at the hands of Ellie and Marcus.

Beach Cliffs

Life Begins Anew

Months later, as the trauma of the events start to fade, Ellie and Marcus prepare to send Brittany back to school. They begin to rebuild their lives, symbolized by their decision to put their home on the market.

Coastal Home

Characters


Ellie Warren

Ellie Warren is portrayed as a resilient and accomplished attorney navigating a tumultuous period in her life. Balancing her professional responsibilities with the demands of family life, she embodies strength and determination, especially in the face of David's obsessive threats against her family. Her character reflects the struggles of a woman fighting to reclaim peace and safety.

👩‍⚖️ Attorney 💪 Strength 🏠 Family

David Hammond

David Hammond is depicted as a complex antagonist, struggling with personal demons and a troubling history that fuel his obsessive behavior towards Ellie. His charming facade quickly unravels as his true intentions emerge, showcasing a dark transformation from an acquaintance to a grave threat. His character represents the dangers that can lurk beneath surface-level familiarity.

👤 Antagonist ⚠️ Danger 😠 Obsession

Marcus Warren

Marcus Warren serves as a loving husband and supportive figure as he works to recover from a serious car accident. His character embodies strength, even when facing threats to his family's safety. As the story unfolds, he transforms from a victim of circumstance to an active participant in the fight against the menace posed by David.

❤️ Supportive 🚑 Recovery 🛡️ Protector

Brittany Warren

Brittany Warren, Ellie’s daughter, represents the hope and future of the family. As she embarks on her college journey, her character becomes an unwitting target in David's twisted obsession. Her innocence and vulnerability highlight the emotional stakes of the unfolding drama.

🎓 Student 👶 Innocence 💔 Vulnerability

Setting


Time period

The events occur in modern times, capturing the challenges of contemporary relationships and the complexities of personal safety in a digitally connected world. This time period emphasizes the ease with which boundaries can be crossed in the age of technology and social media.

Location

Coastal home, San Francisco

The movie primarily takes place in a tranquil coastal home that represents a fresh start for Ellie and her family after relocating from the bustling streets of San Francisco. This coastal setting contrasts with the chaos brought on by David's obsessive behavior, highlighting the serene life Ellie longs to maintain amidst turmoil.

🏖️ Beach 🌆 City

Themes


🔍

Obsession

The theme of obsession is central to the movie, exemplified by David's relentless pursuit of Ellie, crossing boundaries and disregarding her warnings. This obsession leads to a series of dangerous encounters and ultimately escalates to violence, underscoring the dark side of fixation and its devastating consequences.

🏠

Safety

Safety is a critical theme as Ellie navigates the threat posed by David in her supposedly safe new home. The violation of her privacy and the attack on her family highlight the fragility of safety in personal spaces, prompting a reflection on the dynamics of trust and vigilance.

⚖️

Justice

The pursuit of justice drives Ellie to uncover the truth behind David's past and his dangerous behavior. Throughout the film, the legal and moral implications of David's actions propel Ellie into a battle not just for her safety, but for accountability and resolution against the backdrop of her professional life as an attorney.

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