Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Lindsay Traves | Film | May 8, 2026
Jessica Rothe became a horror darling after her sparkly performance in Happy Death Day. As Tree Gelbman, she partied her way into our hearts as a slasher victim forced to relive the day of her death after each slaughtering. Her stark toggling of “ngaf” to nihilism to desperation and vulnerability tracked a character living the same day over and over but experiencing intense growth. There’s no wonder we’re lining up for another tale of a woman forced into “resets” led by her.
Affection is a pretty different take on such resets. Instead of bringing her memories with her into a day that’s been reset, Rothe’s “Ellie” wakes up where everything feels new to her but the people around her insist it’s the same. She doesn’t remember the man calling himself her husband or the girl calling herself her daughter. Ellie is certain she had a son, a different husband, and a life nothing like the one at this isolated farmhouse. Bruce (Joseph Cross) reassures her that this is all a part of her post-accident condition, causing her to experience memory loss and false memories. Some time together in isolation while her memories are refreshed will hopefully trigger her to regain her memories and live in bliss with her small family. But Ellie struggles with this order, unable to trust the man insisting he’s her husband, and with increasingly troubling tremors and odd behavior from Bruce, she begins to investigate her surroundings and confirm whether she is being doted upon or imprisoned.
Ellie’s discoveries trigger a science fiction twist at the end of the first act that the movie’s success hinges upon. Played for a surprise, what Ellie happens upon changes her already confused perception leaving the audience along for a ride through her new crusade. To even describe the film’s cohorts could give too much away, but audiences should be primed to experience a tonal shift from the spooky farmhouse movie to something very different.
This is an impressive first feature from writer and director BT Meza. By slow playing the opening, he leaves the audience guessing along with Ellie whether Bruce can be trusted, whether she is being paranoid, and exactly what is going on. Nothing is spoon fed until the big turn. Thereafter, however, the movie is very direct in its explanations trading twists and turns in for battle beats. Characters are in a sort of a duel, and instead of asking the audience to track convoluted plotting, it’s spelled out on computer screens and notepads. It’s somewhat merciful in such a confusing scenario, but it does rely on the audience remaining engaged in exposition on a computer monitor.
But Rothe is what will keep everyone’s eyes peeled. She delivers a stellar and physically demanding performance commanding everyone’s attention. In the same way she was so effective as Tree, Rothe is adept at playing strong and feisty while appearing slight and pretty. It makes her look like the unlikely hero that you absolutely believe can save the day. Fighting through tremors and physical battles, she still delivers her magnetism forcing you to follow and root for her even when you’re completely unsure which characters to trust.
Affection lures you in with promise of a mystery then pulls back its curtain in time for an early twist. It’s a premise that the movie lives or dies by, but an audience will be primed for the journey through it as long as the magnetic Rothe is leading the way.
Affection hits select theaters May 8, 2026
