In her latest feature, “Secret Love Triangle,” Kaila York fails to bring anything new to the love triangle thrillers. However, the story is based on true events, and one cannot expect the director to introduce something that did not take place in real life. Yet, I feel the twist’s timing could have been much better. With a talented cast consisting of Brianna Cohen, Jonathan Stoddard, and Harley Bronwyn, the audience will manage to endure the 87 minutes of Kaila York’s work. In the story, we witness Lori’s husband, Robert, being murdered, and all the evidence points toward her best friend, Jess. Now, Jess has to prove her innocence, or she stands to lose everything, including her family and reputation. What will she do? Let’s find out. Spoilers Ahead!
Secret Love Triangle (2023) Plot Summary and Movie Synopsis:
“Secret Love Triangle” starts with Jess and Lori discussing the promising future aspects of their bakery. Jess is the artist behind the bakery and its reputation, while Lori has come up with an offer so that the bakery can grow nationally. However, Jess denies the proposal as she does not want to give away her bakery to money and prospects. This bakery is her own identity, and she doesn’t want it to be controlled by someone else. Lori finds it difficult to understand Jess’s point of view. Later that night, we see Lori noticing her husband Robert looking at Jess like he wants to make love to her.
Soon we see that this whole incident is being remembered by Jess, who is currently in jail for murdering Robert. No matter how many times Jess tries to convince the judge she has nothing to do with Robert’s killing, the evidence speaks otherwise. In the cell, Jess meets with Michelle, who is on the verge of getting paroled. However, the parole officer does not see her fit for release, so Michelle comes back to her cell with heartbreak. All her hard work goes in vain as she realizes that she is never going to get out of jail.
How does Jess Escape the Prison?
While Jess is trying hard to prove her innocence, her husband Matt comes to deliver a series of heartbreaking news to her. Matt has decided to sell Jess’s shop and their house and move out to a distant place, far from all this chaos. He says that he is tired of being called a murderer’s husband. He repents his decision and leaves Jess in such a condition, but he promises to visit her whenever he gets the time. This makes everything a lot tougher for Jess, as now she knows she is alone in her quest to prove her innocence.
Meanwhile, since Michelle has run out of patience, she plans to escape the prison with Jess knowing that Jess is not the murderer and she deserves her chance to prove that. Jess does not know any of this as one fine morning when the police have brought the prisoners outside the jail for some social work, Michelle suddenly attacks the officers and gets into the van. She calls out for Jess and without realizing what she should do, Jess reacts at that moment. With the help of Michelle, Jess is finally out of jail and can now look for the evidence that will help her prove she did not kill Robert.
What happens when Jess meets with Matt after her Escape?
After escaping the prison, Jess wanders around the town, stealing clothes and money to survive until she figures out something. She escapes close situations where she may get caught in the hands of the police. After spending the whole day running around and visiting her own shop (there she is even spotted by an older woman who failed to recognize her), Jess finally ends up at her own place as she sees Matt spending his lonely time in some sort of disappointment.
Jess sees that two detectives have arrived as they think that after running away from jail, the first place Jess would visit will be her home. Anyway, Jess manages to spend the night hiding inside a room, and the next day she confronts Matt. Matt tries to convince her to take a day or two to figure out the next course of action. He offers his help to Jess even though he has decided to go separate ways. There is a guilt of sorts working within Matt. However, the cause still remains unknown.
Matt drives Jess to a property owned by Robert and decides to stay there for a day or two and figure out what should be done next. Jess meets with a person named Jim, who introduces himself as the neighbor. Jess seems to be very nervous about being seen by someone who is not part of her plan. Later we see that Jim is a sheriff himself who just turns on the radio and realizes that there is a woman who escaped from the jail. He asks his friend for the woman’s picture while Jess and Matt are thinking of the next step.
What makes Jess think that Matt is the Killer?
Jess attempts to chronicle the events from the day Robert was murdered. The more she recalls, the more apparent it becomes how close Matt and Lori are becoming. She vividly remembers instances when Matt and Lori would suddenly disappear from parties right before her and Robert’s eyes. She also recalls a time when she felt drowsy, and Matt was dancing intensely with Lori. On the following day, as Jess decides to depart, she overhears Lori arguing with Matt, expressing discontent about Jess.
Just before leaving, Robert quietly confides in Jess that no matter how negatively she perceives him, Matt is currently worse. In the present, Jess discovers Lori’s messages on Matt’s phone. These messages, largely ignored by Matt, reveal Lori’s restlessness to meet him. This dispels any doubts Jess previously harbored and confirms the affair between the two. When confronted, Matt claims their relationship was never serious. He insists that Lori’s persistent persuasion led to a moment of intimacy between them.
Upon hearing this, Jess concocts a theory: Matt, desiring to be with Lori, orchestrated Robert’s murder and pinned the blame on Jess. This plan would ostensibly resolve all their issues, allowing them to sell the shop and the house and live happily. However, Matt refutes this theory and tries to restrain Jess. In response, Jess strikes Matt with a vase and flees. Moments later, Matt spots Lori’s arrival at the house and informs her of Jess’s escape. Realizing her plans are at risk, Lori incapacitates Matt by hitting him on the head and pursues Jess.
Secret Love Triangle (2023) Movie Ending Explained:
Who killed Robert?
Jess comes running to seek help from Jim, and Jim unknowingly offers his help. But soon after, Jim receives a photograph of a woman who escaped from prison, and at that moment, Jess notices Jim’s badge lying on the table. Jess tries to get away from Jim, but Jim shows his revolver and asks her to stay calm. Jess tells him that if he turns her in, the real murderer, whom she believes to be Matt, will remain free. Although Jim is willing to help Jess, Lori suddenly attacks him from behind.
Lori then confesses to Jess that she killed Robert and framed Jess for the crime. Lori has fallen in love with Matt and realizes that with Jess around, she can never have him. This is the motive behind her vicious plan. She meticulously stole Jess’s necklace to place it on Robert’s body after stabbing him from behind. Now, she is about to kill Jess, thinking it will solve all her problems. However, at that moment, Matt arrives and prevents Lori from harming anyone. Accidentally, the knife in Lori’s hand injures Matt.
Towards the end of the film, we see Lori attempting to kill Jess while Jess tries to protect herself as long as she can. One of the detectives arrives at the scene, saving Jess from Lori. The police arrest Lori and release Jess. Matt and Jim are taken to the hospital, where doctors assure them that they will recover. Jess signs the divorce papers as Lori is taken into custody for killing Robert.
