Lifetime's 'Psycho Escort' Review: Thriller explores a nerve-racking subject but fails miserably in execution
Spoilers ahead
With the advent of technology, humans have found endless ways to connect with their dear ones by defying space and time. However, what came as a blessing to mankind has brought with it many issues, which we continue to fight on a daily basis.
From cyberbullying to online stalking, the list of issues one faces with technology goes on. Lifetime's latest thriller 'Psycho Escort' also navigates a similar theme, but with technology-driven humans, who end up in big trouble, trying to find a temporary solution.
Diane (Victoria Barabas) is a single mother who is still mourning the loss of her husband who passed away two years ago.
She wants to live by herself, but her nosy employees and an overly protective sister Lori (Kat Fairaway) walk on the eggshells around her as they couldn’t stop sympathizing with Diane for desiring to live an independent life.
When Diane refuses to attend one of her office parties owing to her co-workers' treatment of her because she is a widow, her sister suggests her to sign herself on a website called The Companionship Collective which provides paid dates to its customers while promising to make their privacy the company's utmost priority.
Diane, who was even skeptical of considering the option. is mesmerized by Miles's (Nick Ballard) ravishing features and picks him as her date for the night from the company’s catalog. Turns out Miles is a Mr Perfect, who easily sweeps anyone off their feet easily with his charm and looks of a model straight out of a fashion show.
Next thing we know, Diane is seen making an appointment with The Companionship Comapy r another date with Miles. But, ever before she could get in touch with him, he’s seen watching her son Jake (Jacob Sandler) play football at his school.
When he offers to be her date for another night, Diane is beyond ecstatic as she’s also game for extending her relationship with him beyond the limits of the company.
But little did Diane know about Miles’s growing obsession with his new client and the extremity it would come to meet eventually. She conveniently overlooks his actions such as him stealing her things, keeping a watch all the time, and even threatening her co-worker, which is hard to be ignored in real life, and this is where the plotline begins to go fail to impress the viewers.
Besides not paying attention to little details that could have added more value to the story, 'Psycho Escort' doesn’t offer anything extraordinary in terms of its execution of various factors. The acting is average and the entire film showcases similar visuals throughout, which seems like a drag.
As far as the story arc is concerned, it almost feels like 'Psycho Escort' tries to create something similar to Netflix’s ‘You’, but in the chase, it lacked everything but the premise.
Overall, 'Psycho Escort' is definitely not as scary as its title makes it look. For someone who is seeking a movie based on sociopathic tendencies minus all the bloodshed and gore, the Lifetime movie could make for a one-time-watch..