Beyoncé’s Obsessed Movie Explained: Cast, Plot, Ending & Everything to Know
Beyoncé may be best known for dominating music, but longtime fans remember when she was also regularly appearing on the big screen. One of her most memorable movie roles came in the 2009 psychological thriller Obsessed.
The movie stars Beyoncé alongside Idris Elba and Ali Larter in a story about a married couple whose seemingly perfect life is disrupted when a temporary employee develops a dangerous obsession with the husband.
More than 15 years after its release, Obsessed remains one of Beyoncé’s most talked-about movie roles — particularly because of its dramatic final act.
If you're searching for the Beyoncé Obsessed movie, here's everything to know about the plot, cast, ending and how the movie performed when it originally hit theaters.
What Is Beyoncé’s Obsessed Movie About?
Obsessed follows Derek Charles, played by Idris Elba, a successful financial advisor living in Los Angeles with his wife, Sharon, played by Beyoncé, and their young son.
Their life appears to be going perfectly until a temporary employee named Lisa Sheridan, played by Ali Larter, begins working at Derek's company.
Lisa quickly becomes interested in Derek.
The problem? Derek is married, and Lisa's interest doesn't stop at an innocent workplace crush.
Her behavior becomes increasingly aggressive as she attempts to insert herself into Derek's life and convince herself that the two share a relationship that doesn't actually exist.
Eventually, the situation begins threatening Derek's career, his marriage and the safety of his family.
Who Does Beyoncé Play in Obsessed?
Beyoncé plays Sharon Charles, Derek's wife.
Unlike many of Beyoncé's other movie appearances, Sharon isn't a singer or performer. Obsessed gave Beyoncé a chance to play a character completely removed from the music industry.
Beyoncé was also an executive producer on the film. (Rotten Tomatoes)
And if you've seen the movie, you already know Sharon ultimately becomes one of the biggest reasons people remember it.
Obsessed Cast
The main cast includes:
Beyoncé Knowles — Sharon Charles
Idris Elba — Derek Charles
Ali Larter — Lisa Sheridan
Jerry O'Connell — Ben
Christine Lahti — Detective Monica Reese
Bruce McGill — Joe Gage
Scout Taylor-Compton — Samantha
The movie was directed by Steve Shill, written by David Loughery and produced by Will Packer.
What Happens Between Lisa and Derek?
Warning: spoilers ahead.
Lisa becomes convinced that she and Derek have a romantic relationship despite Derek rejecting her advances.
Her obsession escalates throughout the movie.
Derek initially keeps some of Lisa's behavior from Sharon, fearing how it will look and hoping the situation will simply disappear. Instead, the secrecy creates problems in his marriage once Sharon discovers what has been happening.
Lisa's behavior eventually becomes much more dangerous, and Sharon realizes the situation isn't simply about another woman pursuing her husband.
Lisa has become a threat to their family.
Obsessed Ending Explained
The ending is easily the movie's most famous sequence.
Lisa enters Derek and Sharon's home while Sharon is there.
The confrontation quickly turns physical, leading to a lengthy fight between Sharon and Lisa throughout the house.
Eventually, Lisa falls through the attic floor and lands on a glass table below. A chandelier then falls on top of her, killing her.
Derek arrives afterward and reunites with Sharon.
It's the culmination of the entire movie: Sharon goes from questioning what is happening in her marriage to confronting the person who has been terrorizing her family.
The fight became such a defining part of the movie that Beyoncé and Ali Larter later won Best Fight at the 2010 MTV Movie Awards for the sequence. (Wikipedia)
Was Obsessed a Successful Movie?
Financially, yes.
Obsessed opened in U.S. theaters on April 24, 2009 and debuted at No. 1 at the domestic box office.
It earned approximately $28.6 million during its opening weekend against a reported production budget of $20 million. (Box Office Mojo)
By the end of its theatrical run, the movie had earned approximately:
$68.3 million domestically
$73.8 million worldwide
That made Obsessed a commercial success despite receiving largely negative reviews from critics. (Box Office Mojo)
Interestingly, contemporary reporting suggested Beyoncé herself was a major part of the movie's appeal. The film significantly exceeded expectations during its opening weekend. (Los Angeles Times)
When Did Beyoncé’s Obsessed Come Out?
Obsessed was released in U.S. theaters on April 24, 2009.
The movie has a runtime of approximately 1 hour and 48 minutes and is rated PG-13. (Rotten Tomatoes)
That puts the film during an interesting period of Beyoncé's career.
By 2009, she was already one of the biggest recording artists in the world, but she had also built a substantial acting résumé with movies including Dreamgirls, Cadillac Records, The Pink Panther and Austin Powers in Goldmember.
Is Obsessed Based on a True Story?
No. Obsessed is not based on a true story.
The screenplay was written by David Loughery. The movie has frequently been compared to the 1987 thriller Fatal Attraction because both stories revolve around an unwanted obsession that threatens a relationship and family. (Wikipedia)
Where Can You Watch Beyoncé’s Obsessed?
Sony Pictures currently lists Obsessed as available digitally and points viewers toward several digital platforms, including Apple TV, Prime Video and YouTube. Availability and purchase or rental options can change by location and over time. (Sony Pictures)
Check Obsessed on Sony Pictures
Why Obsessed Is Still One of Beyoncé’s Most Memorable Movies
Obsessed wasn't a critical favorite, but its longevity is interesting.
The movie combines an immediately understandable thriller premise with three recognizable stars, and Beyoncé gets one of the film's biggest moments during its final confrontation.
It also represents a very different era of Beyoncé's career — one where seeing her starring in a traditional Hollywood thriller wasn't unusual.
More than a decade later, people are still searching for the Beyoncé and Idris Elba movie, revisiting the Sharon vs. Lisa fight and discovering Obsessed for the first time.
For a movie released back in 2009, that's a pretty impressive afterlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Beyoncé and Idris Elba movie called?
Beyoncé and Idris Elba starred together in the 2009 psychological thriller Obsessed. Beyoncé plays Sharon Charles while Elba plays her husband, Derek Charles. (Rotten Tomatoes)
Who is the obsessed woman in Obsessed?
Ali Larter plays Lisa Sheridan, the temporary employee who becomes obsessed with Derek. (Sony Pictures)
Did Beyoncé produce Obsessed?
Yes. Beyoncé served as an executive producer on Obsessed in addition to starring as Sharon Charles. (Rotten Tomatoes)
How old was Beyoncé in Obsessed?
Beyoncé was 27 when Obsessed was released in April 2009. She turned 28 later that year.
Did Obsessed make money?
Yes. The movie had a reported $20 million production budget and grossed approximately $73.8 million worldwide, including $68.3 million domestically. (Box Office Mojo)
Does Beyoncé sing in Obsessed?
No. Beyoncé's character Sharon is not a singer. The role was notably different from several of her earlier movie roles because it wasn't centered around her musical abilities.
Final Thoughts
Obsessed may not be Beyoncé's most critically acclaimed movie, but it has become one of the most recognizable films from her acting career. Between Beyoncé and Idris Elba's on-screen marriage, Ali Larter's increasingly dangerous Lisa and the unforgettable final fight, the movie has plenty of moments that continue to generate interest years later.
And with people still searching for Obsessed, Beyoncé's role as Sharon Charles clearly hasn't been forgotten.