Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy star in a scene from the movie "Fatale." The Catholic News Service classification is L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. (CNS/Scott Everett White, Lionsgate)

By Catholic News Service

A distant cousin to 1987’s “Fatal Attraction,” this revenge thriller, directed by Deon Taylor, ramps up the sexual tension, suspense and violence in a complex game of cat and mouse that’s as shocking as it is preposterous and, for those inclined to take it seriously, morally confused.

A wealthy sports agent (Michael Ealy) has a one-night stand in Las Vegas with a pretty stranger (Hilary Swank) from whom he conceals the fact that he’s married. Appropriately wracked with guilt, he returns home resolved to make a fresh start with his wife (Damaris Lewis). But fate intervenes with a bungled burglary and subsequent police investigation headed by none other than his Sin City partner — who becomes bent on exacting vengeance for his duplicity.

Mature judgment is required to sort through the ethical tangles in which the characters ensnare themselves. Yet the poor quality of the proceedings, which some may find offensive, hardly justifies such an effort.

Skewed morality, bloody violence and gunplay, nongraphic adulterous activity and marital lovemaking, frequent profane and crude language. The Catholic News Service classification is L — Limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. The Motion Picture Association rating is R — restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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