10 Best Mystery Movies About Infidelity

Many great films involve a quintessential love story of two characters that takes place within the genres of comedy, action, drama, mystery, or within a blend of several genres. But no matter the genre, these films involve two characters coming together in some kind of intimate way.

But in these love stories, some feature stories of a husband or wife stepping out on their spouse and their relationship, be it happy or unhappy. Things usually take a dark turn when the spouse finds out or the affair turns sour. When this happens, the film switches in an instant and takes the audience on a rollercoaster ride.

The Invisible Guest (2016)

An intense and gripping story, The Invisible Guest follows Spanish businessman Adrián Doria accused of murdering his lover, Laura. As Adrián tries to build a defense with his lawyer, the audience is taken back to the beginning of Adrián and Laura’s affair as Adrián recounts everything that took place leading up to Laura’s murder.

The acting in the film is superbly done, and the characters all bring elements to the plot that leaves the audience feeling for the antagonist and protagonist of the story.

Adulterers (2015)

There’s really no telling how someone will react if they were to find their spouse cheating on them. Adulterers follows the story of Samuel, Ashley, and Damien. When Samuel comes home on his wedding anniversary to surprise his wife Ashley, he finds her cheating with Damien.

The film shifts into a “what if” scenario, with Samuel choosing to emotionally torture Ashley and Damien, with the threat of their death hanging over their heads. Adulterers does a great job showing the emotions of a cheated-on spouse, and Sean Faris does an amazing job as the jilted husband. The film opens the viewers up to the question of “what would you do if your significant other betrayed you?”

The Loft (2014)

In the film The Loft, five married friends (Luke, Chris, Vincent, Marty, and Philip) decide to share a loft as their “private oasis” to host their extramarital affairs. The five men are enjoying their double lives until they find the dead body of a young woman in the apartment named Sarah. As the friends try to figure out which of them killed this young woman, the secrets between the friends begin to spill to the surface.

This film was a great whodunit and the mystery and suspense placed on each character keep the audience at the edge of their seats and guessing. The Loft truly is a visual look into the notion that “The grass isn’t always greener on the other side,” with the friends finding this out the hard way.

Perfect Stranger (2007)

Perfect Stranger follows journalist Rowena Price (Halle Berry) as she goes undercover to investigate Harrison Hill (Bruce Willis), whom she believes is responsible for the murder of her best friend, whom Harrison was having an affair with.

Released in 2007, the film was not well praised by critics, earning a Rotten Tomatoes score of 10%. The film would not be regarded as one of Halle Berry’s greatest roles, however, this hasn’t stopped viewers from receiving the movie well. The film presents a plot twist that leaves viewers surprised, and Halle Berry’s acting is believable and well done, making the storytelling in the movie perfectly executed.

What Lies Beneath (2000)

In What Lies Beneath, Claire Spencer is investigating one mystery when another comes looking for her. In the film, she is a former cellist and housewife to Dr. Norman Spencer, who begins to experience supernatural occurrences in her home and the lake behind her house. These occurrences soon lead her to the mysterious case of Madison Elizabeth Frank, who’s disappeared.

Through this suspenseful supernatural plot twist, viewers learn that Madison was Norman’s student with whom he was having an affair. The film then explores the case of manipulation and gaslighting in regards to a man in power and the women in his life that are the victims of his actions. The movie is a great psychological thriller worth watching.

Chloe (2009)

Sometimes, one has to be careful what they wish for. Starring Amanda Seyfried, Julianne Moore, and Liam Neeson, Chloe follows suspicious wife Catherine, who believes her music professor husband is cheating on her. So, to set him in a trap and prove it, Catherine hires a young woman named Chloe to seduce her husband. Catherine’s plan soon makes her family vulnerable when Chloe becomes obsessed with her instead.

On her quest to win Catherine’s love and tear her marriage apart, Chloe takes up her mission that will leave this family broken and trying to pick up the pieces. The film truly maintained the suspense and anticipation in every scene, leaving viewers wondering what would happen next.

A Perfect Murder (1998)

After finding out his wife is having an affair, Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) decides to take advantage of the situation and hires his wife’s lover to murder her. Facing financial woes, Steven sees this as his chance to use his wife’s infidelity against her, steal her fortune, frame her lover, and get away with it. However, unexpected factors begin to take shape that puts his plans in jeopardy.

The film stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Michael Douglas, and Viggo Mortensen. Not only is it sexy and thrilling, but it also holds a huge element of suspense. The characters all have their agendas and secrets, which makes it hard to truly root for any of them, but that’s what makes the film so great.

A Simple Favor (2018)

Anna Kendrick and Blake lively truly made A Simple Favor their own. The crime thriller follows Stephanie Smothers, a widowed mother who runs a vlog for parents, and her friendship with Emily Nelson. Because of this friendship, Stephanie’s life and past of cheating is exposed, revealing deceit, manipulation, money, and murder.

The film, although dark in its plot, also has aspects of humor tossed into some of the scenes. This add-in takes the film to another level, making it more than one-dimensional.

The Girl On The Train (2016)

A movie with a series of twists and turns, The Girl On The Train can be emotionally straining on viewers, yet it’s beautifully done. The film follows Rachel Watson, a lonely alcoholic who rides the train aimlessly as she stalks her ex-husband, Tom, and his new wife, Anna.

On one of these train rides, Rachel witnesses Tom and Anna’s neighbor, Megan, cheating with an unknown man, and Megan later goes missing. The mystery that ensues opens the floodgates for cheating, secrets, and lies to come to light, not only about Tom, Anna, Megan, and her husband, Scott, but also about Rachel herself. Although some would consider the book better than the thriller movie, there is no denying that Emily Blunt’s performance was phenomenal.

Gone Girl (2014)

With a star-studded cast including Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tyler Perry, Gone Girl is a riveting thriller/mystery that left audiences and critics alike mesmerized. The film follows writer Nick Dunne and wife Amy as their lives are placed under a microscope when Amy goes missing on the couple’s anniversary and Nick becomes the prime suspect.

The film delves into the couple’s lives, finding that Nick was having an affair with one of his students, Amy’s diary revealing that Nick was allegedly abusive, and many more secrets in the couple’s marriage that make Nick an even more likely suspect in his wife’s disappearance. Gone Girl truly keeps the plot exciting as viewers question each character’s motives and who to believe. Rosamund Pike delivered an amazing performance that puts her on the fan list of one of the best female movie villains with her role as Amy Dunne.

About The Author