SPOILER ALERT: This article contains mild spoilers for “Strung.”
Nostalgic for erotic thrillers of the ‘90s like “Sleeping with the Enemy” or “Basic Instinct?” Then “Strung” is the movie for you.
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee (“Girls Trip”) and debuting June 26 on Peacock, the film tells the twisty tale of Laila (Chloe Bailey), a talented violinist who, after a mind-blowing one-night stand with a fine stranger (Lucien Laviscount), is hired by the matriarch (Lynn Whitfield) of a rich family to tutor their daughter Zuri (Romy Woods). The two develop a close connection, which runs her afoul of Zuri’s mother (Anna Diop). Things take an even thornier turn when Laila learns that the dashing fella who rocked her world is Zuri’s stepfather(!). But that’s just the beginning of what this deeply damaged family has in store for her.
“It’s so much fun,” Bailey says. “I love the drama of it all.”
The cast is rounded out by Coco Jones as Laila’s bestie Jasmine and Langley Kirkwood as the family’s creepy butler. And Lee’s film, which was shot in scenic Cape Town, South Africa, doesn’t pull any punches in the sex and violence departments. It’s held together beautifully by Bailey, who’s easy to root for as the tortured protagonist, and, as one half (along with her sister) of the musical duo Chloe x Halle, knows a thing or two about the musician’s plight.
