A lonely woman (Amanda Wyss) caring for her elderly, domineering father (Patrick Peduto) is pushed to the brink when a figure from the past re-enters her life.

“If you love something completely you can’t help but destroy it.” So opens the new psychological thriller The ID from director Thommy Hutson, and writer Sean H. Stewart. This opening voice over telegraphs the direction we are heading, and we knew this going in, yet somehow, as in life, we hope things might be different. Amanda Wyss (A Nightmare on Elm Street) stars as lonely Meridith Lane. Trapped in a dead end situation caring for her abusive, ailing father, Meridth struggles to maintain composure and civility under the consistent vitriol of her wheelchair-bound albatross.

Things begin to change when a childhood sweetheart, Ted (Malcolm Matthews) tracks her down and calls her to reconnect. Initially resistant, Meridith opens up to the idea of stepping out for a quick date with her new love interest. This, of course results in a torrent of verbal and emotional abuse from her patient at home and retaliation.

The ID is a vicious detour into the tortured mind tentpoled by a career-defining performance from Wyss. The weight of care taking has broken this woman and we see it. Director Huston does well to keep focus on Wyss’ frail facial expressions, and subtle demeanor that betrays turmoil. As her inner demons and longing for a better life drive her to extremes, Meredith begins to act more erratically, more violent. Will she break free from the nasty cycle of grief and guilt that traps her?

As sudden, first act twist spins the direction of the movie unexpectedly and that’s when things really get hairy. The line between reality and that which populates Meridith’s guilt-ridden mind is hopelessly blurred and we are soon at the mercy of her self-loathing ID. Kudo’s to Stewart’s screenplay too, that has the audience chasing red herrings up to the last moment in the movie. There are also some wonderful De Palma-esque touches in Hutson’s direction that capture the frenzied descent into madness of our protagonist.

Still, at the end of the day this is Wyss’ film. Her performance balances pathos, despicable acts, and a character who we continue to sympathize with in a way that few other actors could pull off. The ID is a turbulent descent into madness, helmed capably by Huston, cleverly written by Stewart, and anchored by what is easily one of the more layered performances of the year from Amanda Wyss. This thriller teases and baits until the very last, making it a wild ride through to the closing credits. Cath this madness when you can.

The ID is now available on Blue Ray and VOD and Amazon. You can also purchase signed copies of The ID from our friends at Dark Delicacies HERE.

The Blu-ray release of The Id (SRP $24.95) includes a featurette: Needs, Wants & Desires: Behind The Scenes of The Id, a feature-length commentary with director/producer Thommy Hutson and actress Amanda Wyss, deleted and alternate scenes, behind the scenes footage, audition footage, trailers and a photo gallery.