Deadly Virtues: Love. Honor. Obey is the first feature film from Raindance Raw Talent and released by arthouse film juggernaut Artsploitation Films. Directed by Ate De Jong (Drop Dead Fred, Highway to Hell), and written by Mark Rogers, Deadly Virtues is about a sadistic tormentor, Aaron (Edward Akrout) who breaks into the home of Tom (Matt Barber) and Alison (Megan Maczko) forcing the couple to a weekend of torment and degradation.
On a normal night, while Tom and Alison are in bed having sex, Aaron eerily watches from the threshold before making his presence known. Immediately Aaron ties up Tom and tosses him in the bath tub. He then, slightly, suspends Alison in their kitchen, with one leg up, in a sexual manner– Aaron showing carnal interest in Alison. He begins playing a game of domination as he poses as Alison’s husband for the weekend. Any mistake that Alison makes costs Tom one of his fingers. Furthermore, Tom is within earshot of everything and fears that Aaron will rape his wife. However, Aaron’s plan is more elaborate, intricate, and psychologically deranged than Tom thinks. Basically, Aaron is forcing Alison to play wife for him while he takes the role of Tom for the weekend.
Soon enough Alison begins to suffer what appears to be a bout of Stockholm Syndrome, falling into routine with Aaron as a dutiful and obedient housewife. But this begs the question: Is it all real and is she really falling for her captor (which would make some sense because as of late her husband has been negligent of Alison) or is it merely a ruse in an attempt to escape the grips of Aaron?
Deadly Virtues is a tense thriller with Edward Akrout giving a chilling performance as the couple’s tormentor. His character is mysterious and you never quite know what he’s going to do next; his intentions never one-hundred percent clear. Interesting enough it is Aaron that forces Alison to come face to face with the aftermath of the death of their daughter. Since then Tom has distanced himself from Alison and practically destroyed their marriage. This adds another layer to the film as we begin to question why Aaron is so interested in the particulars of their marriage. Throughout, the film is a taut slow-burn escalating in an unexpected way in the third act, unfolding and unpacking, the emotional trauma of the couple, that which has hitherto remained subtly hidden within the film– making for an interesting home invasion thriller.
Deadly Virtues is now out on major VOD platforms. You can find the film on Amazon, Vudu, Google Play, Vimeo, Playstation, and Xbox Video. Check out the film’s trailer below.
