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Thriller

Compulsion (2025): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Compulsion (2025) movie poster

Compulsion is a 2025 thriller directed by Neil Marshall, starring Anna Maria Sieklucka as Evie, Charlotte Kirk and Zach McGowan. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes. Critics gave it 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.7/10. Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
3.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
8%
Echo Score
58
Compulsion (2025) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Neil Marshall
Genre
Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Compulsion About?

The premise of Compulsion without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

When a young woman stays at her stepfather’s villa, her visit quickly turns perilous. She becomes the target of con artists, and a violent murder forces her into a deadly cover‑up. As a local detective closes in, alliances crumble and long‑buried secrets surface, shattering trust.

Compulsion Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • lesbian
  • lesbian sex
  • lesbian interest
  • female nudity
  • female star appears nude
  • female rear nudity
  • erotic thriller
  • skinny dipping
  • women
  • slasher horror
Where to watch

Where to Watch Compulsion

Stream it on Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

Compulsion Cast & Characters

Anna Maria Sieklucka leads the cast as Evie, with Charlotte Kirk as Diana and Zach McGowan as Reese. Directed by Neil Marshall; 15 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Compulsion

· 11 more
Ratings

Compulsion Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Compulsion 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 58/100, strongest in sensory experience (65) and weakest in story & flow (50).

58 /100

Compulsion Echo Score Breakdown

Compulsion’s primary weakness lies in its uneven narrative and reliance on gratuitous thrills, which hinder a cohesive experience. Critics repeatedly note a directionless plot, hollow provocation, and strained performances, describing the film as cheap and exploitative. In contrast, some users commend the striking opening sequence, vivid Maltese scenery, and moments of erotic tension that elevate the viewing. While the film offers occasional sensory highlights, the overall inconsistency results in a mixed reception.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 60

    Visually Compulsion displays moments of competence, highlighted by an opening sequence praised for its giallo homage and a late‑action set‑piece deemed among the director’s best. Critics acknowledge competent cinematography but criticize the overall cheap, lurid aesthetic, resulting in a mixed visual appraisal.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    Performance-wise, the film elicits polarized reactions. Critics describe the acting as strained and overly earnest, likening it to teenage attempts at sensuality, while some note occasional humor. Conversely, several users celebrate the leads’ chemistry and passionate portrayal of a lesbian relationship. The divergent feedback yields an overall middling assessment of character work.

  • Story & Flow 50

    Narrative execution is a primary point of contention. Critics condemn the plot as incoherent, crammed, and serving only hollow provocation, with dialogue described as stilted. User commentary acknowledges an engaging homage to giallo conventions and moments of intrigue, though some suggest the film could benefit from trimming. Overall, the story is perceived as uneven and only intermittently compelling.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    The film’s sensory elements receive relatively positive notice. Critics single out an end‑action sequence as a visual highlight and acknowledge competent cinematography, despite overall cheapness. Users emphasize the striking opening score reminiscent of Halloween, vivid Maltese landscapes, and a stylish aesthetic that aligns with giallo traditions. Consequently, sensory execution emerges as one of the stronger facets.

  • Rewatch Factor 58

    Rewatch potential is divided. Critics view the film as a fleeting, cheap thrill lacking lasting impact, suggesting limited repeat value. In contrast, several users describe it as a fun, must‑see experience with engaging characters and a satisfying climax, indicating high enjoyment on subsequent viewings. The mixed feedback results in a moderate rewatch factor rating.

Plot

Compulsion Plot Summary

What happens in Compulsion from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Evie, a wealthy young woman, travels solo to a luxurious, secluded villa in Malta owned by her affluent stepfather. She presents a fragile, emotionally raw facade, exchanging frantic, heartbreak-filled text messages with her ex-girlfriend, Claire, who supposedly fled back to London after a volatile confrontation. Soon she is drawn into the orbit of her glamorous and fiercely seductive neighbor, Diana, and Diana’s aggressive companion, Reese. Unbeknownst to Evie, the pair are seasoned con artists who have targeted her specifically to access the villa’s legendary safe and help pay off Reese’s spiraling gambling debts.

Full summary

The whole story of Compulsion, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Compulsion Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Compulsion.

Compulsion | Official Trailer | Horror Brains
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Compulsion?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the wealthy young woman who travels solo to Malta?

Details

Compulsion Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “Impulso criminal” and “Frenesia del delitto”.

Also known as
  • Impulso criminal
  • Frenesia del delitto
  • Der Zwang zum Bösen
  • Le génie du mal
  • 朱门孽种
  • Насилие
  • Compulsión
  • Estranha Compulsão
  • 강박충동
  • Brottslig drift

Seen Compulsion?

FAQ

Compulsion FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of Compulsion, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Compulsion?

Compulsion runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was Compulsion released?

Compulsion was released on September 19, 2025.

Who directed Compulsion?

Compulsion was directed by Neil Marshall.

More films by Neil Marshall

Who is in the cast of Compulsion?

Compulsion stars Anna Maria Sieklucka as Evie, Charlotte Kirk as Diana and Zach McGowan as Reese, among 15 credited actors.

Where can I watch Compulsion?

In the US, Compulsion is streaming on Amazon Prime Video, Fandango at Home Free and Fawesome and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is Compulsion rated?

Compulsion has 3.7/10 on IMDb, 8% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63% on TMDB and 3.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Compulsion have a post-credit scene?

No. Compulsion has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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