Red Flags (2025) by Lodewijk van Lelyveld: A Dangerous Attraction

Short Summary: When Your Head Says No, but Your Heart Says Yes

This Dutch romance-drama explores the perilous world of modern dating through the eyes of Sam, a young woman who finds herself inexplicably drawn to the charismatic and mysterious Fender. Despite her instincts and the obvious "red flags" telling her he is trouble, Sam is too charmed to let him go. The film chronicles her struggle between her heart and her intuition as she navigates a relationship that might be more dangerous than it seems.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt34573452/

About movie: https://www.see-nl.com/artikel/20250507-red-flags

Link to watch: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0KDLKXM0LYKP0LGK84P9JU1UU3/ref=dvm_src_ret_it_xx_s (Italy)

Detailed Summary: A Battle of Attraction and Intuition

• The film's protagonist, Sam, is a young woman who first lays eyes on the enigmatic Fender and is immediately captivated by his charm and mysterious aura.

• Despite this powerful attraction, her intuition tells her that something is not right about him.

• The narrative follows Sam as she begins to fall for Fender, ignoring the warning signs and "red flags" that her friends and her own instincts are raising.

• The story explores the complexities of modern romance, particularly the conflict between a person's desire for connection and their innate sense of self-preservation.

• The plot delves into the potential dangers of ignoring one's gut feelings, leading Sam down a path that may have serious consequences.

Director's Vision: A Realistic Look at a Toxic Romance

Director Lodewijk van Lelyveld's vision for Red Flags is to create a realistic and grounded romance-drama that speaks directly to a young adult audience. The film's focus on a toxic relationship is meant to be a cautionary tale, using a naturalistic style to portray the subtle ways in which a charming individual can become a dangerous presence. The director aims to highlight the internal struggle of a character who is torn between her feelings and her intuition, making the emotional stakes of the story feel both personal and relatable.

Themes: The "Red Flags" in Dating, Intuition vs. Attraction, and The Price of Ignoring Instincts

• The "Red Flags" in Dating: The film's central theme is the modern concept of "red flags"—the warning signs in a person's behavior that suggest a relationship may be toxic or unhealthy.

• Intuition vs. Attraction: The movie explores the timeless conflict between a person's deep, often illogical, attraction to someone and the quiet, rational voice of their intuition telling them to stay away.

• The Price of Ignoring Instincts: The narrative is a commentary on the potential dangers of ignoring one's gut feelings, suggesting that a lack of self-preservation can lead to serious consequences.

Key success factors: A Relatable Premise, Niche Audience Appeal, and Social Relevance

• A Relatable Premise: The film's central idea—a young person falling for someone they know is trouble—is a highly relatable and compelling premise for a young adult audience.

• Niche Audience Appeal: The film, with its focus on a specific, popular topic in modern dating culture, is perfectly positioned to appeal to a niche audience interested in contemporary romance and relationship dramas.

• Social Relevance: The film taps into a global social trend of heightened awareness and discussion around toxic relationships, making it a timely and resonant story.

Why to watch this movie: A Warning Sign About Love

• A Modern Cautionary Tale: The film serves as a timely and relevant cautionary tale about the dangers of ignoring red flags in a relationship.

• To See a Realistic Romance-Drama: If you appreciate films that portray the messiness and complexities of love, rather than a fairy-tale romance, this film is for you.

• To Support Young Talent: The film provides a platform for a new generation of Dutch actors and filmmakers.

• For a Niche Audience: Fans of romance-dramas that focus on contemporary relationship issues will find the premise of this film compelling.

Movie Trend: The Young Adult Dating Drama

Red Flags follows the movie trend of the young adult dating drama, a genre that uses the struggles of modern romance as a central theme. These films often explore the emotional and psychological minefields of dating in a contemporary world, focusing on topics like toxic relationships, ghosting, and the search for authentic connection.

Social Trend: The "Red Flags" and "Green Flags" Discourse

The film taps directly into the social trend of the "red flags" and "green flags" discourse that is highly prevalent on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. This trend involves a heightened awareness and public discussion around the signs of both healthy and unhealthy relationships, and the film uses this cultural phenomenon as its central premise.

Final Verdict: A Flawed but Fun Ride

Red Flags is a timely and relevant romance-drama that effectively capitalizes on a popular social phenomenon. While its low user rating suggests that its execution may not live up to its compelling premise, the film remains an interesting and noteworthy entry in the young adult genre. It is a film for a specific audience that will likely find its subject matter highly relatable and its cautionary tale a valuable one.