
The Rival 2006
In *The Rival (2006)*, director Douglas Jackson crafts a tense psychological thriller that explores the dark side of maternal obsession. The film follows Alice, a grieving woman who loses her baby in a tragic act of violence and discovers she cannot have children naturally.
Director: Douglas Jackson
Cast




Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Rival (2006) about?
*The Rival (2006)* is a psychological thriller that follows Alice, a woman who loses her baby and turns to a surrogate to rebuild her family. But when jealousy takes hold, she spirals into a dangerous obsession, willing to cross any line to keep what she believes is rightfully hers. The film explores the extremes of maternal love and the blurred line between devotion and destruction.
Who directed The Rival?
The Rival was directed by Douglas Jackson, a filmmaker known for his work in TV movies and dramatic thrillers.
Who stars in The Rival?
The film stars Tracy Nelson as Alice, alongside Linden Ashby, Heather Tom, and Jenna Wheeler-Hughes in pivotal roles.
Is The Rival (2006) worth watching?
While *The Rival (2006)* isn't a mainstream blockbuster, it offers a gripping, if disturbing, character study of obsession and moral decay. Fans of psychological thrillers who enjoy intense, compact narratives will find it compelling—despite its modest budget and unrated status. The performances, particularly Nelson's, elevate the material beyond typical TV movie fare.
How long is The Rival?
The Rival runs for 86 minutes.
About The Rival (2006) — A Psychological Thriller of Obsession and Dark Redemption
In *The Rival (2006)*, director Douglas Jackson crafts a tense psychological thriller that explores the dark side of maternal obsession. The film follows Alice, a grieving woman who loses her baby in a tragic act of violence and discovers she cannot have children naturally. Desperate for a family, she and her husband turn to a surrogate—only for Alice's joy to curdle into toxic jealousy as she becomes consumed by an unhinged desire to claim the child as her own. What begins as a story of hope spirals into a gripping tale of revenge and moral decay, where love and obsession blur into something dangerously unrecognizable.
With a runtime of just 86 minutes, *The Rival (2006)* delivers a compact yet intense viewing experience. Tracy Nelson stars as Alice, delivering a powerhouse performance that captures the character's descent into madness, while Linden Ashby and Heather Tom round out the emotional core of the film. The movie's thriller roots run deep, offering a chilling exploration of possessiveness and the lengths to which one might go for what they believe is rightfully theirs.