Octane (film)

Octane is a 2003 psychological horror film directed by Marcus Adams and starring Madeleine Stowe, Mischa Barton, and Jonathan Rhys Meyers. The film follows a divorced mother, Saffron (Stowe), and her troubled teenage daughter, Nat (Barton), as they embark on a cross-country journey to reconcile. Along the way, they encounter a group of strange and unsettling people who seem to be involved in a dangerous and possibly supernatural cult.

The film explores themes of parental anxiety, the challenges of adolescence, and the blurring lines between reality and hallucination. As Saffron becomes increasingly concerned about Nat's erratic behavior and the strange individuals they encounter, she begins to question her own sanity and the true nature of their journey.

Octane was produced by Michael Cowan and Jason Piette. It received mixed reviews upon its release, with critics divided on its effectiveness as a horror film and the coherence of its narrative. Some praised the film's atmospheric visuals and Stowe's performance, while others found the plot confusing and the ending unsatisfying. The film was marketed as a suspenseful thriller with elements of the supernatural, leaving much of the specific plot to interpretation.