Blab Entertainment
Simone Ashley Stars in This Tempting Madness, a True-Story Thriller Now on VOD
Simone Ashley—fans of Netflix’s Bridgerton—has taken center stage in the 2025 psychological thriller This Tempting Madness. The film follows Mia (Ashley), a woman who wakes from a coma after a near‑fatal fall, bearing severe injuries and a fragmented memory. With her husband, Jake (Austin Stowell), missing and police suspicions mounting, Mia must piece together her past while confronting love, guilt, and fear.
Director Jennifer E. Montgomery, who co‑wrote the script with Andrew Davis, assembled a strong ensemble: Zenobia Shroff, Suraj Sharma, Mojean Aria, Auden Thornton, and Amol Shah. In a Deadline interview, Montgomery praised Ashley’s performance as “mesmerizing—bold, vulnerable, and transformative,” and highlighted Stowell’s “layered, compelling complexity.” The story itself is grounded in reality; Montgomery revealed in a Screen Daily feature that a close friend’s severe accident and subsequent memory loss inspired the narrative.
The film opened its world at the 56th International Film Festival of India on 27 November 2025 and later appeared at Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival on 14 March 2026. It received a limited theatrical release in the United States, followed by video‑on‑demand through Vertical, an independent distributor that handles theatrical, VOD, and streaming launches.
Availability
This Tempting Madness can be rented for $6.99 or purchased for $14.99 on Amazon. The title is also available on Apple TV and Fandango At Home. It is not currently streaming on Netflix or Hulu, though Vertical’s catalog has seen several titles transition to Hulu after release, suggesting a future streaming deal is possible.
Plot Overview
Mia’s hospital awakening leaves her with serious injuries and a haze of memory. The fall that left her in a coma is unclear, and her husband’s disappearance raises questions. As fragmented recollections surface, Mia’s grip on reality loosens, prompting her to investigate the events that led to her unconsciousness while battling internal doubts and desires.
Industry Context
The release strategy mirrors a growing trend among independent thrillers: a brief theatrical window followed by a rapid shift to VOD. Vertical’s model prioritizes swift digital availability, allowing audiences to access the film within weeks of its limited theatrical debut. The true‑story foundation adds intrigue for viewers who favor grounded narratives. Montgomery’s background in development work for prominent directors, coupled with her training as a ballet dancer, informs the film’s pacing and visual style.
Future Developments
No sequel or additional installments have been announced. The film’s performance on VOD and any potential streaming placement will dictate whether the project expands beyond its initial release. For now, This Tempting Madness remains available for purchase or rental on the platforms listed.
In sum, Simone Ashley delivers a tense, memory‑driven thriller that blends a real‑life inspiration with a compelling narrative. The film’s availability on major VOD services makes it accessible to a broad audience, while its festival screenings and independent distribution underscore its place within the contemporary independent film landscape.
Director Jennifer E. Montgomery, who co‑wrote the script with Andrew Davis, assembled a strong ensemble: Zenobia Shroff, Suraj Sharma, Mojean Aria, Auden Thornton, and Amol Shah. In a Deadline interview, Montgomery praised Ashley’s performance as “mesmerizing—bold, vulnerable, and transformative,” and highlighted Stowell’s “layered, compelling complexity.” The story itself is grounded in reality; Montgomery revealed in a Screen Daily feature that a close friend’s severe accident and subsequent memory loss inspired the narrative.
The film opened its world at the 56th International Film Festival of India on 27 November 2025 and later appeared at Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival on 14 March 2026. It received a limited theatrical release in the United States, followed by video‑on‑demand through Vertical, an independent distributor that handles theatrical, VOD, and streaming launches.
Availability
This Tempting Madness can be rented for $6.99 or purchased for $14.99 on Amazon. The title is also available on Apple TV and Fandango At Home. It is not currently streaming on Netflix or Hulu, though Vertical’s catalog has seen several titles transition to Hulu after release, suggesting a future streaming deal is possible.
Plot Overview
Mia’s hospital awakening leaves her with serious injuries and a haze of memory. The fall that left her in a coma is unclear, and her husband’s disappearance raises questions. As fragmented recollections surface, Mia’s grip on reality loosens, prompting her to investigate the events that led to her unconsciousness while battling internal doubts and desires.
Industry Context
The release strategy mirrors a growing trend among independent thrillers: a brief theatrical window followed by a rapid shift to VOD. Vertical’s model prioritizes swift digital availability, allowing audiences to access the film within weeks of its limited theatrical debut. The true‑story foundation adds intrigue for viewers who favor grounded narratives. Montgomery’s background in development work for prominent directors, coupled with her training as a ballet dancer, informs the film’s pacing and visual style.
Future Developments
No sequel or additional installments have been announced. The film’s performance on VOD and any potential streaming placement will dictate whether the project expands beyond its initial release. For now, This Tempting Madness remains available for purchase or rental on the platforms listed.
In sum, Simone Ashley delivers a tense, memory‑driven thriller that blends a real‑life inspiration with a compelling narrative. The film’s availability on major VOD services makes it accessible to a broad audience, while its festival screenings and independent distribution underscore its place within the contemporary independent film landscape.
