The Iris Effect (2004)

Mia Kirshner as Rebecca
Directed by Nikolai Lebedev
Written by Yuri Kamenetsky (based on work by), Kam Miller (co-writer)
Cast Anne Archer, Devon Alan, Agnes Bruckner, Kip Pardue
Other titles ExLife (USA – working title), The Long Sunset (USA – working title), Exile (Russia)
Genre Drama, Mystery, Thriller
Gallery | Official Site | IMDB

Official Synopsis

Ten years ago, Sarah Hathaway’s (ANNE ARCHER, “Man of the House,” “Rules of Engagement,” “Clear and Present Danger,” “Patriot Games,” ” Fatal Attraction”) gifted and troubled son, Thomas, suddenly disappeared from their home in Los Angeles. Sarah has strange, recurring dreams about him and refuses to give up hope of ever finding him. Finally, after ten years, a new clue turns up as to his possible whereabouts. A private detective finds an art book containing pictures of beautiful irises that only her son could have painted.

After discovering that the artist now lives in Russia, Sarah travels to St. Petersberg, embarking on a desperate mission to find him. When she goes to a gallery where the paintings are displayed, she tells the gallery owner, Rebecca (MIA KIRSHNER, “Party Monster,” “Kissed By An Angel”), that she is the artist’s mother. When advised that the artist’s mother is dead, Sarah insists on meeting him anyway, and is introduced to Paul Bergamo (KIP PARDUE, “Thirteen,” “The Rules of Attraction,” “Driven,” ” Remember the Titans”), an American who definitely is not her son.

Sarah is devastated and goes into a tirade, insisting that Paul is not the artist and that the paintings were done by her son. Witnessing this outburst is a mysterious young boy, Nikita (DEVON ALAN, “Firestarter 2,” “Simon Birch”), who appears homeless and follows her wherever she goes throughout the city.

In the face of ongoing danger, Sarah embarks on a desperate search for her son, and is finally arrested and taken to a mental institution. She is befriended by Ivan (Russian star GREGORY HLADY), a psychiatrist, who gets her released and convinces her to give up the search and go back home.

On her way to the airport, the young Nikita steals her purse, and after a harrowing chase, he ultimately leads her to a rooftop apartment where there are hundreds of irises. Stunned, and knowing that Nikita is the key to her mission, Sarah follow his lead and breaks into the apartment where she finds other paintings, including a painting of herself!

More determined than ever, Sarah knows that the truth is in reach and must escape the dangers and obstacles of those who try to deceive her.