In Pursued, a determined teenager puts herself in unimaginable danger when she accidentally crosses paths with a killer who has already claimed too many lives.
Directed by Jeffrey Obrow, this modern thriller mixes the tension of a classic chase film with the emotional core of a coming-of-age story, and it almost becomes something truly special.
Seventeen-year-old Lark, played by Madison Lawlor, is not your typical horror heroine. She is bright, idealistic, and still carrying the weight of a tragedy that changed her life two years earlier. When she suspects that something dark is unfolding around her mother’s new boyfriend, she takes to the internet to uncover the truth. What she finds instead is a completely different man named Marc Frank, portrayed with unnerving calm by Angus Macfadyen, who happens to be a serial killer.
Rather than turning to the police, Lark decides to take matters into her own hands. Believing she can stop him, she makes herself his next target in the hope of protecting her family. It is the sort of decision that only makes sense in a thriller, but Lawlor’s performance is so genuine that we believe her. She brings a fragile determination to the screen, the kind that makes you want to shout at her while also cheering her on.
Molly Ringwald appears as Lark’s mother, Carol, bringing warmth and emotional depth to her scenes. It is a small role, but her presence gives the film a grounding humanity. The late Paul Sorvino also appears briefly and reminds us why he was always such a comforting screen presence. These moments with seasoned actors lend the film an air of credibility and heart, even when the story ventures into the more unbelievable corners of its premise.
Macfadyen gives a performance of quiet menace. He avoids cartoonish evil and instead leans into a colder, more realistic sort of predator. Every glance and pause suggests a man completely at ease with his own cruelty. The film never gives him a detailed motivation, which is a shame, as a little more insight could have elevated him from an effective villain to a truly iconic one.
Obrow keeps the story moving at a brisk pace, allowing tension to build slowly and naturally. He has always had a good sense of timing, and here he uses it well. The film rarely resorts to cheap tricks or excessive violence, preferring to let suspense and character drive the experience. Some of the cinematography feels functional rather than inspired, but the sense of unease never slips.
Lark’s relationships with those around her also add a layer of emotion to the film. Her teacher Jack, played by Sam Trammell, is torn between doing what is right and keeping his job, while her best friend Nicole, played by Taylor Blackwell, provides moments of lightness amid the danger. Their interactions make the story feel lived-in and human.
What holds Pursued back from being truly great is not the story itself, but its scale. You can sense the film straining against its limits, wanting to be bigger, darker, and more daring than its budget allows. There are moments where the dialogue feels too tidy, and others where the tension peaks a little too soon. Yet even with these stumbles, there is a sincerity to the storytelling that keeps it compelling from start to finish.
Obrow, who gave the world The Dorm That Dripped Blood, still understands how to make a thriller feel personal. He never hides behind style or spectacle; instead, he focuses on the characters and their choices. Pursued is not a perfect film, but it is a confident and engaging one, full of moments that linger after the credits roll.
At its heart, this is a story about courage and consequence, about a young woman learning that doing what is right can also be dangerously naive. The film may not reach the greatness it occasionally hints at, but it comes impressively close. For a low-budget thriller, that is more than enough reason to celebrate.
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