Watch The Business of Strangers

The Business of Strangers is a 2001 psychological drama film directed by Patrick Stettner. The story revolves around two women working together in a corporation, Julie Styron (Stockard Channing) and Paula Murphy (Julia Stiles), who meet at an airport hotel bar. Julie is a successful businesswoman, having climbed the corporate ladder through hard work and dedication. She is on her way to a meeting when her flight is canceled due to bad weather. She ends up spending the night at the hotel and meets Paula, a young and attractive woman who is also stranded because of the storm.

The two women strike up a conversation and seem to get along well. They drink, party, and end up going back to Julie's hotel room. In the hotel room, they continue drinking and talking. However, things quickly turn sour when Paula accuses Julie of stealing her job years ago, which resulted in her getting fired.

Julie is taken aback and initially denies it but eventually admits that she did. Paula is furious and storms out of the room. From here on, the film takes a dark turn as power dynamics between the two women are explored, and they end up playing sadistic power games with each other.

The two women continue to work together, and the next day, Paula comes to work acting as if nothing happened. Julie is shocked and confused but decides to go along with it. They end up in a business meeting together, and things take a chilling turn when Julie uses her power to humiliate Paula in front of others.

The power dynamics between the two women continue to spiral out of control. They begin to manipulate each other, setting traps and playing cruel power games. Both women use their positions of power in the corporation to get what they want, leading to a showdown that ultimately forces them to confront their own issues and motivations.

The movie is a character study of two women who are struggling with power and control, both in their personal and professional lives. The film focuses on the complex relationships and dynamics that can arise in the corporate world. It highlights the cutthroat nature of business and how even the most successful and respected individuals can become cruel and abusive in the quest for power.

The Business of Strangers is a dark and intense film, offering a glimpse into the often-brutal world of corporate power struggles. The film is driven by the captivating performances of its two leads, Stockard Channing and Julia Stiles, who deliver powerhouse performances that showcase the film's themes of empowerment, control, and betrayal.

In conclusion, The Business of Strangers is a gripping and thought-provoking drama that explores the dark side of business and human nature. It's a must-watch for fans of character-driven psychological thrillers and anyone interested in exploring the depths of human relationships and motivations in high-stress environments.