Affection (2025 film)

Affection
Directed byBT Meza
Written byBT Meza
Produced by
  • Bay Dariz
  • BT Meza
  • Austin Walk
  • JP Ouellette
Starring
Edited byDavid Gallegos
Music byDaniel Berk
Production
companies
  • Superconductive
  • Minutehand Pictures
  • Circa 1888
Distributed byBrainstorm Media
Release dates
  • October 7, 2025 (2025-10-07) (Screamfest)
  • May 8, 2026 (2026-05-08) (United States)
Running time
89 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States

Affection is a 2025 American science fiction horror film written and directed by BT Meza. It stars Jessica Rothe as a woman who wakes up in an unfamiliar house with a man (Joseph Cross) and a young girl who claim to be her husband and daughter. However, she does not recognize them. The film premiered on October 7, 2025, at the Screamfest Horror Film Festival in Los Angeles and had a limited release in the US on May 8, 2026.

Plot

The film begins with a woman (Jessica Rothe) lying in the middle of the road next to a crashed car. Already injured and experiencing seizures, she is hit by a car. She then wakes up in an unfamiliar home next to a man (Joseph Cross) she does not recognize. Distraught and frightened, she attacks him. After he calms her down, he tells her that her name is Ellie. The man, Bruce, says that she has had an accident that has taken away her memory and that her doctor has told her it can come back in time. To aid in her recovery, they have moved to a home in an isolated area. A young child, Alice (Julianna Layne), says she is Ellie's daughter.

Despite her attempts to restore her memory and bond with Bruce and Alice, Ellie cannot shake her memories of another life where she is Sarah Thompson, a woman from Maine with a computer science degree from Columbia University. Additionally, she periodically experiences seizures. Eventually, she leaves the house and discovers the truth of what has happened to her.

Cast

Production and release

Affection is the first feature film directed by BT Meza, who also wrote the script.[2] The film was inspired by Meza's childhood experiences of losing his father and being forced to move to an isolated area with his mother's abusive boyfriend.[3][4] He stated: "It’s about grief, identity, and imagining a version of life that never got to exist, but could have."[3]

The cast was announced in August 2024 on Deadline.[2] According to Rothe, Affection was filmed in a remote area in Bovina, New York.[5] The film relied on practical effects, and Rothe's role required a physically demanding performance, including simulated seizures.[6][5][7]

Affection was acquired by Blue Finch Sales in September 2025.[8] It premiered at Screamfest Horror Film Festival in Los Angeles on October 7, 2025, opening night.[6][9] It has also played at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival,[8][10] London FrightFest,[11][12] and Overlook Film Festival.[13][14] In February 2026, it was announced that the film had been sold to several distributors, including Brainstorm Media.[15][16] The film had a limited release in the US on May 8, 2026.[17][18] It became available to stream online on June 8, 2026.[19]

Reception

Affection has an 80% approval rating among 50 critics on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. The site summarizes the reviews as:"A twisted memory play whose labyrinthine structure can be as disorienting for the audience as it is for its heroine, Affection's most lasting impression may be Jessica Rothe's terrific lead performance."[20] Metacritic indicates a "Generally Favorable" score of 73 based on 5 critic reviews.[21]

Dread Central gave the film 4/5, stating that it is "haunting" and "memorable".[11] In a 4 star review, The Guardian praised the actors' performances and said the film explores the theme of people who do evil while believing themselves justified.[19] Bloody Disgusting rated it 3.5/5, calling it "a hidden gem that will connect with your mind, body, and soul."[10] The Hollywood Reporter said it was a highlight of the 2026 Overlook Film Festival and a commendable directorial debut.[13] Collider rated the film 7/10, praising the actors' performances but concluding that the film's pacing and story could have been improved.[22] Polygon said that "the film’s central thrill is experiencing everything through Ellie’s eyes—confused, horrified, and, eventually, more than a little grossed out."[5] Some reviewers compared the film to the work of David Cronenberg[23][12] and M. Night Shyamalan.[13]

Some reviewers expressed dissatisfaction with the ending,[22] with Certified Forgotten saying that: "the mashup of technology and body horror never quite meshes perfectly with the rest of the movie".[23] Screen Rant praised the mystery presented in the first half of the movie but criticized the second half as disappointing and uninteresting.[24] RogerEbert.com rated it 2.5/4, praising the beginning of the film but criticizing the film's message as convoluted and calling the film an "ordeal, for [Rothe] and for the audience".[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Affection (15)". British Board of Film Classification. April 27, 2026. Retrieved June 6, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Grobar, Matt (August 26, 2024). "Jessica Rothe & Joseph Cross Set For Sci-Fi Horror Thriller 'Affection'". Deadline. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  3. 1 2 Gaspich, Caroline (October 26, 2025). "Affection director brings 'haunting unease' to the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival". The Mirror US. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  4. ↑ Delores, Bee (October 8, 2025). "ScreamFest 2025: 'Affection,' an unbelievable acting vehicle for Jessica Rothe -". B-Sides & Badlands. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 Surrey, Miles (May 7, 2026). "The star of 2026's darkest sci-fi movie still wants to finish her 3-part time-loop thriller". Polygon.com. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  6. 1 2 DeVore, Britta (October 12, 2025). "Jessica Rothe Confirms 'Happy Death Day 3' Will "Finish Tree's Journey" in Massive Update [Exclusive]". Collider. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  7. 1 2 "Affection review: Horror film muddies its domestic abuse message". RogerEbert.com. May 9, 2026. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  8. 1 2 Ramachandran, Naman (September 30, 2025). "Jessica Rothe Sci-Fi Horror 'Affection' Acquired by Blue Finch Films (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  9. ↑ Mendoza, Leia (September 19, 2025). "Screamfest Horror Film Festival's First Wave Lineup Includes 'Affection,' 'Big Baby' and 'The Dollmaker' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  10. 1 2 Kurland, Daniel (October 20, 2025). "'Affection' Is A Macabre Meditation On Memory That Gets Under Your Skin [BHFF Review]". Bloody Disgusting!. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  11. 1 2 Gelmini, David (November 3, 2025). "'Affection' Review: A Twisted Mystery-Horror That Keeps You Guessing [FrightFest Halloween 2025]". Dread Central. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  12. 1 2 Hughes, Kat (October 9, 2025). "'Affection' review: Dir. BT Meza [Screamfest 2025]". The Hollywood News. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 Newby, Richard (April 17, 2026). "Horror Highlights from the 2026 Overlook Film Festival". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  14. ↑ Earl, William (March 25, 2026). "Overlook Film Festival: Second Programming Wave Includes Horror Movies, Immersive Experiences and 'Interview With the Vampire' Tribute". Variety. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  15. ↑ Tabbara, Mona (February 13, 2026). "Sc-fi horror 'Affection' starring Jessica Rothe sells to North America". Screen Daily. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  16. ↑ Miska, Brad (February 13, 2026). "'Happy Death Day's Jessica Rothe Loses Her Mind in EFM Title 'Affection' [Trailer]". Dread Central. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
  17. ↑ "MOVIES'Affection' Trailer and Poster Trap Jessica Rothe in Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Horror Mystery". Bloody Disgusting. April 21, 2026.
  18. ↑ Leishman, Rachel (April 21, 2026). "'Happy Death Day' Star Returns in Haunting New Sci-Fi Body Horror Trailer". Collider. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  19. 1 2 Bray, Catherine (June 3, 2026). "Affection review – memory loss thriller that keeps you guessing benefits from winning performances". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Affection (2025)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Affection Reviews - Metacritic". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  22. 1 2 Kelley, Aidan (October 9, 2025). "'Affection' Review: Jessica Rothe's Latest Horror Sci-Fi Thriller Is the Anti-'Happy Death Day'". Collider. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  23. 1 2 "'Affection' Review: Jessica Rothe Remains a Scream Queen". Certified Forgotten. October 8, 2025. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ Harrison, Alex (May 8, 2026). "Affection Review: Jessica Rothe's Sci-Fi Mystery Can't Live Up To Its Initial Promise". ScreenRant. Retrieved May 13, 2026.
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