Watch Dad Crush

Dad Crush is a thrilling drama movie that embraces the taboo subject of teenage girls getting involved with older men, particularly their parents' friends. The movie, directed by Christine Conradt, follows the life of summer camp counselor, Olivia (Lucy Loken), whose world crumbles when her father's friend, Paul (Rusty Joiner), becomes more than friendly one summer.

Olivia is a typical teenage girl at the dawn of her sexual awakening. She's still very innocent and naive, ignorant to the hidden desires that the men around her harbour. However, her innocence serves as a pillow for Paul's advances, making her an easy target. Paul doesn't waste any time getting to know Olivia, and he always seems to be around, inserting himself into every situation that has to do with her. It's not long before she starts to trust him and takes to his charms.

Despite Olivia being smitten with Paul, she doesn't realize the toll their relations will have in the long run. Her father (played by Lestonja Diaz) cannot bear to see his daughter get hurt, and he senses that Paul's presence might be unnatural. He is unsure of what to say and how to approach the situation but knows he must protect his family from any harm.

On the other hand, Olivia's mom (Theresa Cook) remains clueless about what's happening until the repercussions become unavoidable. And when she does find out, the discovery is enough to shatter their entire family apart.

The movie sets up itself as a triumphant account of a predatory act by an older man on an underaged girl—with all the suspense and drama that follow such a situation. The narrative is carried along by outstanding performances by the lead cast. Lucy Loken delivers an honest and emotional portrayal of a teenager struggling to come to terms with her changing self-image while trying to navigate the murky waters of the adult world.

Rusty Joiner is undeniably charming, making it easy to see why Olivia falls for him. His performance throughout the movie exudes an air of authenticity, successfully blurring the line between friendliness and malice. It's the classic “nice guy” syndrome, where his intentions seem pure, but his actions betray him.

Laura Bilgeri plays Olivia's best friend Brandy, but also ends up being the sounding board for other characters in the plot. From the moment it becomes evident that Olivia and Paul are more than just close friends, Bilgeri's character serves as the voice of reason and the confidant throughout the movie.

Alexandria Deberry delivers a solid performance as Olivia's camp co-worker, Emily. Her character adds depth to the plot, and it’s refreshing to see how she stands up for Olivia when no one else seems to be on her side.

The movie jumps right into the uncomfortable situation from the very first scene, building tension with each passing minute. The story is structured around the developing relations between the two main characters, who try to keep their secretive affair from the rest of the family. And the key conflict of the film is derived from the way the characters cope with the affair when it inevitably comes to light.

The pacing of the movie fluctuates, and there are moments where the film feels rushed or dragged. That being said, the pacing doesn't detract from the overall impact of the movie.

At its core, Dad Crush is a cautionary tale that highlights the danger of getting involved with older men, and the lessons to be learned by victims of such entrapments. The movie approaches the topic with care, refraining from sensationalizing the matter, and opting for a more nuanced and balanced approach.

Overall, the film works because of the tension it creates, balanced with the many complex relationships that it navigates. The performances in the movie set it apart from other dramas with similar themes. It's a movie that offers a bleak account of the consequences of being too trusting and too naive. The film offers a frightening reminder that as much as we would like to think otherwise, the world is not a safe place, and we should always be careful of who we trust.

Dad Crush is a 2018 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 26 minutes.