The Secret
A childhood crime binds two women inThe Secret, a skillful British film of psychological horror. Emma (Haydn Gwynne,Rome) has never told her family about her past, so when Nadia (Stella Gonet,Nicholas Nickleby) arrives at the business Emma shares with her husband Alex (Robert Bathurst,Cold Feet) and asks for a job, Emma can't deny her without risking being revealed. But Nadia, consumed with past injustice, wants more, and slowly she turns the screws on Emma tighter until Emma has to fight back. The writing, directing, and acting inThe Secretare all magnificently in synch; the story unfolds with a crisp but unforced pace, every turn compellingly motivated by the vivid and very real characters. This is the movie thatSingle White Femaleaspired to be, a gripping portrait of envy, guilt, and predatory friendship.--Bret Fetzer