Added to Prime Video on Sunday, Oct 15, 2023 Asylum is a thrilling drama released in 2005 that intertwines psychological depth with potent romantic tension. The film, set in the 1950s, revolves around Stella Raphael, a woman who becomes intensely involved in a passionate affair with Edgar Stark, a patient in a psychiatric asylum where her husband Max is a deputy superintendent. Their clandestine relationship propels Stella into a spiraling descent, entangling her in a web of deceit and danger. Stark, an artist convicted for the violent murder of his wife, introduces Stella to a world paradoxically confined yet liberated, where love and obsession blur moral boundaries, leading to unpredicted consequences.
Length: 1h 39m
Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller
This Title is: Dark, Passionate
ASYLUM IS STREAMING TODAY ON PRIME VIDEO CANADA!
Trailer
Cast
- Natasha Richardson as Stella Raphael
- Hugh Bonneville as Max Raphael
- Marton Csokas as Edgar Stark
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: R – for strong sexuality, some violence, and brief language
Viewers are cautioned that the movie includes explicit sexual content, violent sequences, and potentially distressing themes connected to mental illness and infidelity.
Trivia
- The film was shot in various locations including Scotland and London.
- Natasha Richardson, who played Stella, was part of the renowned Redgrave acting dynasty.
- The film is based on a novel of the same name written by Patrick McGrath, who also worked as a custodial worker in Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric hospital, where his father was the Medical Superintendent.
Our Review
Asylum offers a riveting narrative that impeccably blends romance and suspense against the melancholic backdrop of a psychiatric asylum in the 1950s. Natasha Richardson delivers a compelling performance as Stella, embodying a complex character whose desire brings forth inevitable tragedy. The film’s opulent visual style creates a stark contrast with the dark thematic elements explored throughout the storyline. Despite some narrative predictabilities, the film captivates with its intimate portrayal of forbidden love, obsession, and ultimate doom. The supporting performances, particularly by Marton Csokas, infuse vitality into the film, making it a worth-watching exploration of human fragility and moral ambiguity.
Critic Scores
Critic Scores aggregate ratings from IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic. (Click on any score for a detailed review.)
