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This is a rich, atmospheric, and well acted drama. The story is straight forward: a formerly troubled woman (Amanda, played with honesty and humility by Deborah Twiss) marries into a family under sad circumstances, tries to fit in but encounters resistance and resentment, becomes estranged from her husband (Costas Mandylor, deep into an affair of his own), and then romantically involved with her step son (Staffan Edenholm), all the while troubled by the seemingly hostile behavior of her step daughter (Ashley Westover in one of the film's strongest performances).

Under another writer/director this could easily become a sexual romp through the "oops" field, but Deborah Twiss has cleverly mixed sensuality with very real characters who try very hard to navigate their mixed feelings about this would-be replacement mother, and their own sense of loss, need, and trust. The appearance of Amanda's troubled but somehow re-assuring ex-husband Russ Camarda) adds an interesting background to Amanda's predicament.

Twiss, Mandylor, Edenholm, and especially Westover and Camarda (as Amanda's lurking ex-husband), give rich and believable performances. The film kept me guessing and interested-not a very easy thing to do.

"Taboo: Family Secrets" is a mesmerizing exploration of fractured relationships, forbidden desires, and the complexities of familial dynamics. Directed and written by Deborah Twiss, who also delivers a deeply layered performance as Amanda, this film transcends the potential pitfalls of its subject matter to become a poignant, richly textured drama reminiscent of Terrence Malick's most intimate works. Like Malick, Twiss weaves a narrative that is both tenderly human and achingly profound, where every glance and silence carries as much weight as the spoken word.

At its heart is Amanda, a woman navigating the wreckage of her husband Lukas's (Costas Mandylor) infidelities and the resentment of her stepchildren. Deborah Twiss brings an arresting vulnerability and quiet strength to the role, imbuing Amanda with a sense of yearning that feels deeply authentic. Her unexpected romance with her stepson Tyler (played with brooding intensity by Staffan Edenholm) is handled with surprising sensitivity, capturing not just the heat of their connection but also the emotional turmoil that arises from it.

The supporting cast shines just as brightly. Ashley Westover's portrayal of the seemingly hostile stepdaughter is one of the film's strongest performances, brimming with an understated complexity that reveals layers of grief and longing. Costas Mandylor, as the philandering patriarch, is magnetic, balancing his character's selfishness with just enough humanity to make him compelling. And Russ Camarda, as Amanda's enigmatic ex-husband, adds depth and tension, his presence looming like a ghost from her past.

Cinematically, "Taboo: Family Secrets" is a feast. Twiss's direction evokes the visual poetry of Malick's films, using light, shadow, and space to reflect the characters' inner lives. The camera lingers on small, quiet moments-an uneasy glance, a tentative touch-allowing the audience to sit with the emotional weight of each scene. The film's pacing is deliberate yet captivating, drawing you into its world and holding you there with a subtle, simmering intensity.

What sets "Taboo" apart is its refusal to sensationalize its themes. Under a lesser director, the story could have devolved into melodrama or gratuitous spectacle. Instead, Twiss crafts a narrative that is raw, honest, and deeply human. She delves into the pain and beauty of love, loss, and longing, creating characters who are flawed but achingly relatable.

This is not just a film-it's an experience, one that lingers long after the credits roll. "Taboo: Family Secrets" is a testament to the power of thoughtful storytelling and evocative performances. Deborah Twiss has created a work of art that is as challenging as it is rewarding, a film that boldly explores the boundaries of connection and morality while maintaining an undeniable grace. Fans of emotionally rich, visually stunning dramas will find much to admire here.

Costas Mandylor was the best actor in this movie. My daughter and I took an interest in this movie because of him. In spite of the beautiful locations and the potential for an incredible story, the movie falls short in the plot and often overdoes the sex scene factor. It left me wondering whether the director really wanted to do the risqué scenes with the younger actor or if, perhaps, they couldn't cast an actress who was willing to do those scenes and the director had to cast herself in the role. I was confused by the main plot as well as the storylines involving the various characters. Costas Mandylor did his job with excellence, as he usually does. The man can take any character and make him interesting.