Desert Dweller Although this movie is from 2012, I didn't discover it until Lifetime re-aired it this year, which is 2015! (I presume it has been shown in previous years as well).What a great film! I agree with everything mentioned in the positive reviews prior to mine.This movie has a riveting storyline and superb acting.However, one thing that confused me was that in a conversation with Shane, Brandon referred to Howie (that actor stole his scenes!) as an "ass", but Brandon turned to Howie for help when he realized that Shane had found out intimate details about his sex life with Erin (sorry, but IMHO, she is the one weak link in this movie; the actress was awful).Also, later in the movie, Brandon's mother, Caren, tells whoever it is that's investigating Howie having drowned in the bathtub that Howie was one of Brandon's best friends or maybe his best friend (she says something to the effect of *my son and one of his best friends both killed within a short time of each other* or *my son and his best friend ...*).I guess that Brandon and Howie bonded through being on the wrestling team, so they were close buddies, but overall, Howie's lifestyle was too wild for Brandon's taste.I'm glad I DVR'd this movie; I've watched it again and again ...! Somehow, it never gets old!

alannasser We all know about Lifetime movies -or should I say Lifetime movie? These are variations on the same movie, which can admittedly take a (small) number of forms. Perhaps the most typical of these is the apparently ordinary but actually deranged individual who insinuates him- or herself into a family of innocents. Frequently the sicko will exploit an existing tension within the family for his/her own dastardly ends. Well, this is indeed what happens in this movie. But the similarity to a typical Lifetime movie pretty much ends there. This is no Anne Carlucci or Pierre David production. Nor is it directed by the ubiquitous, unimaginative, lifeless Douglas Jackson. Nor is the narrative punctuated with the characters' wholesome, sentimental, heartwarming chuckles. The film is directed with a sense of style, the actors are far above the level of mediocrity afflicting virtually all Lifetime actors, the camera work is relatively polished, the pacing and tempo never drag and the film is cut professionally. Armand Mastroianni is no star director, but he's way better than any of Lifetime's stable of inert "talents". What prevents Lifetime from turning out something like this more than every 3 or 4 years? A restricted budget? An obsession with low-budget Canadian dreck? Probably something along those lines. Lifetime would surely broaden its audience were it to look to put together more movies of this calibre. Make no mistake, Dark Desire is not a first-rate film. But it's got a polish and professionalism entirely lacking in just about every other of the network's products. It starkly underscores the low-rent, shallow and amateurish quality of most everything else Lifetime has tossed our way. It's time to put Carlucci and David out to pasture.

bravocampbell Okay, I'm not a Lifetime fan... in fact, I'm one who typically makes fun of the kind of drivel Lifetime plays. But I stumbled on this one early on while flipping around and got a little hooked. The tension is well-played, and even small roles (the wife's best friend, the detective) are interestingly portrayed and realistic. Not your typical LMN fare, but deep and dark enough to draw you in. The interplay between the roommates is key to that tension, and I found myself genuinely torn between my alliances to the two. Kelly Lynch, who hasn't changed an ounce since her turn in Road House, stole the movie in a lot of ways, and her performance clearly guided those around her. In short, I really enjoyed it, and I'm not embarrassed to say so...

doulosmedia I came across this movie today and didn't know what to expect other than I thought it would be predictable...it was not! The depth of the Shane character was great as was the confused mourning mother, Karen. I honestly thought she had gone off the deep end at the end by plotting with Shane. It was nice to see Kelly Lynch do such an interesting role. I mean how to you prep for something like that? I haven't ever seen Nic Robuck before, but he played the kid longing for acceptance so well. I look forward to seeing him again. Just maybe a nicer role next time. The role of the jerk, Howie, was spot on. Great acting. I think if I met him in real life I would want to hit him. Finally, the pace was great. The director kept things moving along quite well. He obviously knew how to get the reactions he wanted from the cast and the great (creepy) story by Julie Lynch. Great cast. Great story. Great directing. Keep it up!