Obsessed

The original screenplay included a passionate sex scene between Derek and Sharon, but it was never filmed.

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The character Lisa suffers from a mental disorder known as erotomania.

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Although Beyoncé was not a trained fighter, she had little difficulty preparing for the fight scene with Ali Larter because she found the film's fight choreography very similar to the dance choreography in music videos. The shoot was demanding for both actresses, as Larter had to perform the entire fight wearing only panties and a jersey, while Beyoncé wore high-heeled boots that could have made her fall.

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LL Cool J was originally going to play the role that went to Idris Elba.

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According to the first draft of the screenplay, the scene in which Lisa seduces Derek in her car was meant to be more sexually explicit than it is in the film.

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The backless red dress Lisa wears at the hotel (and on the film's poster) was sewn from scratch using design elements the actress who played her liked from the different dresses considered for the scene. The rest of the costumes used in the film were bought from stores.

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This was Beyoncé's first film role in which she did not sing, even though she has a song in the film's credits.

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According to director Steve Shill, the film was initially planned to have an interracial angle. The idea was dropped, however, possibly because of similarities to screenwriter David Loughery's previous film Lakeview Terrace (2008).

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In the "stickfight" between Sharon (Beyoncé) and Lisa (Ali Larter), Beyoncé wore high-heeled boots while Larter was barefoot. This was done deliberately to create a direct contrast between the two women, because Beyoncé's character is well protected by the boots but has no balance, while bare feet give Larter's character balance and traction but still leave her vulnerable. One idea for the fight that was ultimately rejected had Beyoncé strike Larter's toes with a stick to bring her down, only for Beyoncé to trip and fall because she was walking in heels on an unstable surface.

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The plot closely resembles the earlier films Play Misty for Me (1971), Fatal Attraction (1987) and Swimfan (2002).

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Beyoncé's character was originally named Beth, which was also the name of the wife in Fatal Attraction (1987), a film with a very similar plot.

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The boots Beyoncé wore in the fight scene were sold at auction in 2013; the total bid and buyer's premium came to $1,172.

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Director Steve Shill, who had previously only done television work, agreed to direct the film after learning that Beyoncé had been cast.

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Although the film was moderately successful financially, it was still received critically and damaged the careers of some of those involved in particular. Director Steve Shill would never direct another feature film and returned to television, and although Beyoncé's music career suffered not the slightest harm from the film's reception, she would never again appear in a live-action film or one that did not feature her singing. Her later work would be animated or voice roles such as Epic (2013) and The Lion King (2019).

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The film was sent to theaters under the code name "Logical Consequences."

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Beyoncé became interested in the film because of Sharon's empowerment and Sharon's protectiveness.

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This was Steve Shill's first time directing a feature film.

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This was the first film to feature the Rainforest Films logo.

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Idris Elba enjoyed working with Beyoncé because she was committed to the film and to her character.

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Beyoncé worked very closely with Idris Elba and Steve Shill. Because she was not playing a singer, she considered this the most in-depth process she had ever gone through to prepare for a film, and it was quite difficult.

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The film's full theatrical trailer was released months before the poster.

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The film was moved from its original premiere date of February 27, 2009, to April 24, 2009.

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Ten years after this film, Sir Idris Elba and Beyoncé would each voice big cats in two Disney remakes directed by Jon Favreau: Elba voiced the tiger Shere Khan in The Jungle Book (2016), and Beyoncé voiced the lioness Nala in The Lion King (2019).

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The opening Screen Gems logo runs in reverse and merges with the Rainforest Films logo.

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Steve Shill described the film as a psychodrama, and that was one of the many reasons he took on the project.

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Ali Larter enjoyed doing her performances.

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About two months later the script was completed, and pre-production began shortly after.

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10:19 (prelude) — the camera pans the chandelier toward the coffee table. In the final fight scene, Lisa grabs hold of this chandelier and falls onto the table.

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Mila Kunis, Jennifer Aniston, Neve Campbell, Jessica Alba, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Isla Fisher, Cameron Diaz, Heather Graham, Scarlett Johansson, Salma Hayek, Katie Holmes, Christina Ricci, Gwyneth Paltrow, Amanda Peet, Jennifer Lopez, Kate Hudson, Jada Pinkett Smith, Christina Aguilera, Jaime Pressly, Rachel McAdams, Sandra Bullock, Renée Zellweger and Hilary Swank were considered to play Lisa.

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Cling Culpepper called David Loughery and told him she had an idea she wanted to pitch to him. She told him the story and Loughery said "sign me up."

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Sharon's wardrobe is the easiest wardrobe Beyoncé has had in her career.

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Beyoncé felt very comfortable with Steve Shill on set.

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When Ali Larter first read the script, she thought the film would be a great journey.

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The cinematographer's main goal was for the film to be stylish, different and have personality.

BEHIND THE SCENES · SOURCED

The football jersey began with the idea that Ali Larter would fight Beyoncé wearing something from Derek.

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Steve Shill and Maya Lieberman made sure Sharon's clothes were in earth tones and natural, matching her palette.

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Ali Larter prepared for her role by thinking deeply about where such behavior could come from.

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Lisa's clothes are in jewel tones that contrast with Sharon's earth-toned clothes.

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