Psycho Escort is a film that epitomizes the concept of “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”
Put yourself in the shoes of Diane (Victoria Barabas). She’s a widow and she’s still misses her husband so much that she can’t even bring herself to sleep in the master bedroom. Instead, she sleeps in the guest bedroom, an exile in her own house. She’s a single mother, trying to raise a young son who regularly comes home from school with a black eye. On top of all that, she’s got a job that demands a lot of her time and she works with a bunch of people who are just waiting to stab her in the back.
But, it’ll all be worth it if she gets the big promotion and becomes a partner in the firm. With a promotion, she’ll finally be making enough money to provide a little bit of security for her son. And if that means that she has to miss an occasional soccer game and that she doesn’t get a chance to date much, so be it.
The only problem is that, in order to get that promotion, she’s going to have to suck up to the boss and that means going to company parties. And showing up at those parties without a date would totally make her look like a boring loser. Her sister has a helpful suggestion, though. Why not hire an escort!?
No, not that type of escort! Apparently, there’s a rent-a-date firm. You send them some money and they send you a handsome man who will pretend to be your date or your boyfriend and who will basically charm everyone in your social circle and totally make all of your friends jealous. Even though Diane is skeptical, she finally agrees to give them a call. I mean, it seems like a good idea at the time. They send over Miles (Nick Ballard).
At first, Miles seems perfect. He’s charming. He’s handsome. Diane’s boss likes him and even invites him to play a round of golf. In fact, Miles is such a hit that, when Diane has to go to another party, she calls the firm and requests Miles a second time. Diane starts to open to Miles about her husband’s death. Miles starts to open up about his wife’s death. Soon, Miles is becoming more than just an escort. Soon, he’s becoming a real boyfriend….
The only problem of course is that …. well, it’s right there in the title. Miles is a psycho escort! And soon, Miles is becoming just a bit obsessed with Diane, to the point that he’s willing to commit murder to prove his love….
Well, you know how it goes. This is a Lifetime movie and, as I’ve said countless times, the fact that these films all follow a certain formula is one of the most likable things about them. There’s something comforting about watching these films and knowing that someone is making a huge mistake that you would never make (except, of course, you totally would if you were in Diane’s situation). Psycho Escort is elevated by the performance of Nick Ballard, who is dangerously likable in the role of Miles. It’s easy to see how someone could fall for Miles and, as a result, Diane doesn’t come across as being as naive or willfully blind as one might expect. Victoria Barabas also gives a very good performance as Diane and is especially effective when she’s talking about the death of her husband. The trauma is obviously still with her and has left her vulnerable to someone like Miles. As a result, you don’t quite roll your eyes as much at Diane as you might at some people who let a total stranger into their life. There’s a reality to her situation that elevates the story.
Psycho Escort. Watch it the next time you’re tempted to rent a date.
Through the Shattered Lens 