10 Best Movies about Unfaithful Wife
Infidelity as a central conflict in a movie never fails to pique the curiosity of the audience, especially when it involves a wife who seemingly has an almost perfect life with her husband.
Why would the wife choose to cheat? How will the husband react? These questions keep the viewers captivated throughout the film.
If you enjoy movies that explore into the theme of marital infidelity, Showpoiler has compiled a list of recommendations focusing on the stories of unfaithful wives. Intrigued? Let's explore the movies and their synopses below.
1. Indecent Proposal
David (Woody Harrelson) and Diana (Demi Moore) are a married couple struggling financially due to an economic recession. Hoping to change their luck, they decide to visit Las Vegas and gamble.
At a casino, they encounter a billionaire named John Gage (Robert Redford), who takes an interest in Diana. John presents a proposal to David and Diana: he will give them $1 million in exchange for one night with Diana. Although they initially refuse, the couple ultimately accepts the offer due to their financial desperation.
Following the one-night stand, David and Diana attempt to resume their normal lives and agree to forget about John. However, David starts to suspect that his wife is secretly continuing her relationship with the billionaire.
2. Unfaithful
This movie chronicles the lives of married couple Edward (Richard Gere) and Connie (Diane Lane). Despite their love for one another, their life together has become monotonous and devoid of passion.
One day, Connie accidentally bumps into a young man named Paul Martel (Olivier Martinez), causing him to fall and injure himself. Paul invites Connie to his apartment so she can tend to her wounds.
Their encounter marks the beginning of trouble, as Connie becomes attracted to Paul and secretly meets him often. Edward gradually grows suspicious and investigates his wife's activities. Connie's infidelity not only risks her marriage but also leads them to even larger problems.
3. Notes on a Scandal
Sheba Hart (Cate Blanchett) is a new art teacher at a school, with a much older husband and a special needs child. At her new workplace, Sheba was involved in a scandal with her 15-year-old student, Steven.
Barbara Covett (Judi Dench), a history teacher nearing retirement at the same school, discovers the affair. Barbara promises not to report Sheba as long as she ends her relationship with Steven. However, Barbara manipulates the situation to her advantage and uses the affair as a weapon against Sheba.
4. Anna Karenina
Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy, the film is set in Russia in 1874. Anna Karenina (Keira Knightley) is an aristocrat married to Alexi Karenin (Jude Law), with whom she has a child.
When Anna travels to Moscow to visit her brother Oblonsky (Matthew Macfadyen), who is experiencing marital issues after being caught cheating on his wife, she is asked to help him resolve the situation.
During her stay in Moscow, Anna meets a nobleman named Vronsky (Aaron Taylor-Johnson). The two are instantly drawn to each other, and their forbidden love becomes inevitable. As rumors of an affair between Anna and Vronsky spread, the conflict intensifies when the news reaches Anna's husband.
5. A Walk on the Moon
Set in 1969, "A Walk on the Moon" follows the story of Pearl (Diane Lane), a young mother married to Marty (Liev Schreiber), with whom she has two children. One day, the family embarks on a summer camp adventure, but Marty is unable to join them due to his demanding work schedule.
Feeling lonely, Pearl encounters Walker Jerome (Viggo Mortensen), a young, free-spirited clothing salesman. Unable to resist her feelings, Pearl falls in love with Walker. As their affair unfolds, the situation becomes increasingly complicated when her family discovers the truth.
6. I Am Love
Emma (Tilda Swinton) is married to wealthy businessman Tancredi Recchi (Pippo Delbono). The Recchi family is well-known for owning a textile business empire in Milan, Italy. Despite being the wife of a successful businessman and a respected mother, Emma feels a void in her heart.
She is then introduced to Antonio (Edoardo Gabbriellini), a chef and friend of her son, Edoardo. Initially, their relationship seems to be quite ordinary, but as Emma gets to know Antonio better, she gradually finds herself falling for him.
Their affair becomes inevitable, and when it is eventually discovered by Edoardo, he is furious with his mother. Tragically, this revelation leads to heartbreaking consequences.
7. Take This Waltz
"Take This Waltz" centers on Margot (Michelle Williams), a freelance writer who meets a young man named Daniel (Luke Kirby) while on a business trip. Although they are instantly attracted to one another, Margot reveals that she is married and has a husband.
Despite her marital status, Margot finds her home life with her husband, Lou (Seth Rogen), to be monotonous. Consequently, she embarks on an affair with Daniel. Over time, however, Margot begins to feel bored in her relationship with Daniel as well.
8. A Perfect Murder
Steven Taylor (Michael Douglas) is a businessman married to a much younger woman, Emily (Gwyneth Paltrow). While Steven is preoccupied with his business affairs, Emily secretly engages in a relationship with an artist named David Shaw (Viggo Mortensen).
Emily plans to leave Steven permanently, but her affair is discovered by her husband first. Steven investigates David's past and learns that he is an ex-convict with a history of defrauding wealthy women for money.
Confronting David, Steven reveals that he knows about the affair with Emily. He offers David a sum of money to kill Emily, threatening that if David refuses, he could face jail time for his prior fraudulent activities.
9. Little Children
The film revolves around Sarah (Kate Winslet), a married woman with a child. Her world crumbles when she discovers her husband Richard's (Gregg Edelman) addiction to pornography. Sarah's life takes a new turn when she encounters a man named Brad (Patrick Wilson).
Similar to Sarah, Brad is also married. He shares his life with Kathy (Jennifer Connelly) and they have a son together. As Sarah and Brad's friendship deepens, they eventually develop a relationship that transcends the boundaries.
Gradually, Kathy becomes aware of Sarah and Brad's affair. One day, Sarah and Brad decide to run away together and begin a new life. However, a series of unexpected events caused their plans to fall apart.
10. In Secret
Set in 1860, this film narrates the tale of Thérèse Raquin (Elizabeth Olsen), who is forced to marry her cousin Camille (Tom Felton) due to the wishes of her aunt and Camille's mother. Trapped in an unhappy marriage, Thérèse finds no love for Camille.
One day, Thérèse encounters Laurent LeClaire (Oscar Isaac), Camille's childhood friend and business partner. Despite her initial dislike for Laurent, he persistently flirts with her, eventually causing Thérèse's resolve to weaken and her feelings for him to grow.
Thérèse experiences something unique with Laurent, an emotion she never felt with Camille. As a result, Thérèse and Laurent began a passionate and inseparable relationship. However, their affair led them to commit a crime that would later fill them with trauma and regret.
Here are 10 films that depict the stories of wives involved in infidelity. These movies are sure to evoke strong emotions and may even evoke sympathy for some of the characters.
Have you seen any of the films mentioned above? Share your thoughts and opinions about these movies in the comment section!