PET (2016), directed by Carles Torrens in his English-language debut, is an underrated psychological thriller full of twists and turns that deserves a spot on every horror fan’s watchlist. Written by Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight), the film stars Dominic Monaghan as Seth, a lonely animal shelter worker whose crush on waitress Holly (Ksenia Solo) spirals into a nightmarish obsession. What begins as awkward flirtation escalates when Seth kidnaps Holly and imprisons her in a custom cage in the shelter’s basement, convinced he’s “saving” her from a dangerous past. But as Holly reveals her own dark secrets, the power dynamic flips in shocking ways, turning the hunter into the hunted in a cat-and-mouse game that’s as clever as it is claustrophobic.

Monaghan, best known for Lord of the Rings‘ Merry, delivers a chilling performance—his boyish charm masking unhinged delusion, eyes flickering between puppy-dog longing and predatory menace. Solo is the film’s revelation as Holly, her initial terror evolving into calculated fury, stealing scenes with a smile that could curdle milk. The supporting cast—Jennette McCurdy as Seth’s co-worker Claire and Nathan Parsons as a suspicious friend—adds tension without stealing focus.

Torrens’ direction shines in the confined setting: the shelter’s sterile cages mirror Seth’s mind, fluorescent lights buzzing like his unraveling sanity. Slater’s script packs surprises—a mid-film twist that recontextualizes everything, leading to a finale that’s satisfyingly vicious. With a lean 94-minute runtime, it’s bingeable yet lingers, exploring obsession, identity, and revenge without preachiness.

Released to limited theaters and VOD, PET flew under radars despite festival buzz, earning a 67% Rotten Tomatoes but cult status on streaming. Fans rave: “Twists better than Gone Girl—underrated gem!” (@ThrillerJunkie, 50k likes).

PET isn’t flashy—it’s smart, savage, and a reminder that monsters wear familiar faces. Stream on Tubi/Prime Video; change your watchlist tonight.