Which Book is Netflix's Richard Armitage-Starring Obsession Based On?
The new erotic thriller is actually based on a cult favorite book.
It seems no one expected Netflix's Obsession to become a major talking point before its release, but the limited series starring Richard Armitage and Charlie Murphy became just that early last week.
The erotic series, which chronicles the downfall of a prominent surgeon after he begins an affair with his son's fiancé, had all the makings of a great show, including a wonderful cast of actors and great source material — but unfortunately, Obsession turned out to be quite a flop, panned by critics and viewers alike.
However, fans are sure that the book the show is based on is still worth reading.
The limited series is based on Josephine Hart's novel Damage, released in 1991, and the two versions of one story differ quite starkly. In the original novel, the main character was a prominent politician, not a surgeon, and according to some fans, this is what makes Hart's book a much more thrilling and suspenseful story than the Netflix adaptation.
The original novel was quite popular and is now even referred to as a precursor to Fifty Shades of Grey, as Damage was shockingly provocative for its time.
The book was first adapted for the screen by French director Louis Malle in 1992, and fans argue that this film, starring Jeremy Irons and Juliette Binoche, is much more worth seeing than the Netflix version, which has been described as bland, unsexy, and uninspired.
However, if you just want to see a steamy and unrealistic story about two unlikely lovers heading for real tragedy, you can certainly give Neflix's Obsession a try.
It has already been described as one of the silliest yet strangely compelling shows to come out this year, and although the series is clearly not a high point for Richard Armitage, fans still praise the actor's performance in it, arguing that it is the only real reason to watch Obsession.
If you disliked the show but saw real potential in it, check out the 1992 film adaptation — or better yet, try reading Damage, and you won't be disappointed.