[REVIEW]: 'AFFECTION' - Jessica Rothe Delivers Uneasy, Unrelenting Terror in BT Meza’s Psychological Thriller

Written by Klep Napier | WeAreCritiX.com

Sometimes the films that stick with you most are the ones you never saw coming. Affection, directed by B.T. Meza and starring genre favorite Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day, Boy Kills World), is one of those films. I didn’t seek this one out, it found me. And I’m glad it did. Premiering on October 18, 2025, during this year’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, Affection is a slow-burning, skin-crawling thriller that gaslights its audience right up to the brink of madness.

Synopsis

At the center of Affection is Jessica Rothe as Clara, a woman whose seemingly stable life begins to unravel when the familiar starts to feel foreign. Her partner, Eli (Joseph Cross), is a patient, devoted figure whose steady affection becomes more unsettling the longer it lingers. Meanwhile, Lena (Jullianna Layne), a wide-eyed newcomer whose intentions remain unclear, brings an eerie, almost childlike presence that complicates Clara’s grasp on reality.

The story unfolds as Clara begins questioning not just the people around her but the nature of her own identity. The deeper she digs, the more reality seems to warp, blurring the line between love and control, safety and captivity, truth and delusion. The result is an unnerving psychological puzzle that grows more disorienting with every answer it offers and every secret it refuses to reveal.

A Premise That Pulls You Under

At its core, Affection feels like a collision of “Body Snatchers” paranoia and the domestic dread of “Sleeping with the Enemy.” It begins with the unsettling hum of something off and never lets that tension go. From its very first shot, the film dares you to squirm...and you will. The horror here isn’t loud or relentless; it’s creeping, intimate, and disturbingly plausible.

What makes the ride so disorienting is how the story toys with assumptions. You enter with questions, guessing at worst-case scenarios, and more often than not, those worst fears are realized. The result is a viewing experience defined by second-guessing and suspicion and that’s precisely where Affection wants you.

Jessica Rothe: Fearless and Fully Exposed

If there’s one reason Affection works as well as it does, it’s Jessica Rothe. Known for bringing wit and grit to genre-bending projects, she pushes her range even further here, giving a performance that’s physically raw and emotionally stripped down. Rothe carries the weight of the film on her shoulders, exposing vulnerability, desperation, and resolve in equal measure.

Her portrayal transforms Affection from a standard psychological thriller into something much more disturbing. She’s not just playing a victim; she’s embodying the disorientation, paranoia, and fragility that fuel the story’s tension. It’s the kind of performance that reminds you why Rothe is one of today’s most compelling modern scream queens.

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An Uneasy Ensemble

While Rothe is the film’s undeniable anchor, the supporting cast deserves recognition for the eerie unpredictability they inject into the story. Their performances deepen the sense of mistrust and unanswered questions that haunt nearly every scene. They aren’t simply background characters, they’re catalysts, forcing both Rothe’s character and the audience to question what’s real and what’s manipulation.

Joseph Cross brings a quiet complexity to the film with a performance defined by subtle, loving tenacity. His patience and seemingly boundless affection initially feel like the emotional center of the story, a grounding presence amidst the chaos. But as the film unfolds, that same steadiness starts to feel suspicious, leaving the audience unsure if it’s a sign of genuine care or something more calculated.

On the other side of that spectrum is young starlet, Jullianna Layne, whose unnerving innocence almost never feels safe. There’s something slightly off about every glance, every gesture, a lingering discomfort that builds with each scene. Layne’s portrayal keeps viewers perpetually on edge, embodying the idea that even purity can be a mask for menace.

It’s this ensemble-driven uncertainty that makes Affection linger long after the credits roll. The film thrives on its ambiguity, and the cast leans into that ambiguity with unnerving commitment.

Final Thoughts

Affection isn’t a perfect film. It can veer into predictability and doesn’t always land its biggest narrative swings. But it doesn’t need to be flawless to be unforgettable. It’s a deeply unsettling, slow-burn thriller that crawls under your skin and stays there, driven by a powerhouse performance from Jessica Rothe and a tone that refuses to let you breathe easy.

If you’re a fan of psychological horror, Affection belongs on your radar. And if you’re a fan of Jessica Rothe, it’s an absolute must-watch. Whenever it secures a wider release, Affection will be one to look out for, but for now, it remains one of the most talked-about premieres from this year’s Brooklyn Horror Film Festival.