The new Lifetime thrillers have been getting less thrilling. Hardly any thing happens. A bit of stalkerish behaviour and then a brief confrontation and it is all over. A sleazy looking yoga teacher gets obsessed with an unhappy woman.
Same old.
Don't bother.
14 Reviews
A bad "bad" Lifetime movie.
Misnomur20 March 2021
Delayed action
faithkiongera15 June 2020
This movie has its merits
Denny12324 January 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Despite the title of this movie, Dominic does not reveal has "psychopathic" tendencies until closer to the end of the movie. Unlike many other Lifetime movies, I was hardly at the edge of my seat, wondering in which direction the movie was going to go. At the beginning of the movie, Dominic is not overly obsessive and his actions, for the most part, are within normal parameters.
1. Husband and wife, Tom and Justine respectively, seem to engage in better dialogue when they are arguing with one another. Tom often appears to be distant and it seems as if he was doing everything in his power to avoid Justine. For example, he often makes the choice to sleep in his office and occasionally comes across as not caring. He surreptitiously swallows pills in his office as he proceeds with his day. Their dialogue in the kitchen at the beginning of the movie seems awkward and it seems as if they feel uncomfortable one another. When Tom comes home late to find that Justice has prepared dinner for him, things seem to be quite tense. The couple comes across as constantly being annoyed with one another.
2. Justine seems to communicate better with Dominic than she can with Tom. As is usual with most Lifetime movies, boundaries are quickly crossed. Dominic stands extremely too close to Justine when he comes to her house to teach her yoga. At both Justine's house and at the yoga studio, the characters stand so close to one another that it is uncomfortable. It lacks authenticity because he touches her entirely too much and Justine never questions this, especially when Dominic touches her face. It might be as a result of the fact that Justine feels neglected by Tom, but most people would feel that Dominic's actions are going a bit too far and boundaries are being crossed.
3. Justine is a middle school teacher. In many scenes in the movie, Tom states that he has to work to maintain their home and lifestyle. There is a scene in which these two characters discuss this issue in Tom's office. Justine's contemplations about becoming a yoga instructor seem to be an implausible idea. One should at least learn something properly before embarking upon that course of action.
4. There is a scene between Justine and Dominic in which Justine raises the fact that her husband "works." The way in which the point is discussed is just very odd and it is as if the concept of working is only something that a few people manage to accomplish. At times, the dialogue does not seem authentic.
5. Dominic's initial speech about a "sprig" was annoying as opposed to insightful. The subsequent references to Justine being a "sprig" just felt unnecessary.
6. When Justine finds out about a woman leaving a voice message on Tom's phone are far too contrived. The person is saved in Tom's phone as "S" when most people would choose to enter the proper name of the person or the company.
7. The couple wants to adopt a child and this seems to be a source of tension between the couple. It makes for an interesting subplot and Tom never seems to be that engaged with the idea.
The movie is entertaining, but some of the dialogue is a bit annoying.
1. Husband and wife, Tom and Justine respectively, seem to engage in better dialogue when they are arguing with one another. Tom often appears to be distant and it seems as if he was doing everything in his power to avoid Justine. For example, he often makes the choice to sleep in his office and occasionally comes across as not caring. He surreptitiously swallows pills in his office as he proceeds with his day. Their dialogue in the kitchen at the beginning of the movie seems awkward and it seems as if they feel uncomfortable one another. When Tom comes home late to find that Justice has prepared dinner for him, things seem to be quite tense. The couple comes across as constantly being annoyed with one another.
2. Justine seems to communicate better with Dominic than she can with Tom. As is usual with most Lifetime movies, boundaries are quickly crossed. Dominic stands extremely too close to Justine when he comes to her house to teach her yoga. At both Justine's house and at the yoga studio, the characters stand so close to one another that it is uncomfortable. It lacks authenticity because he touches her entirely too much and Justine never questions this, especially when Dominic touches her face. It might be as a result of the fact that Justine feels neglected by Tom, but most people would feel that Dominic's actions are going a bit too far and boundaries are being crossed.
3. Justine is a middle school teacher. In many scenes in the movie, Tom states that he has to work to maintain their home and lifestyle. There is a scene in which these two characters discuss this issue in Tom's office. Justine's contemplations about becoming a yoga instructor seem to be an implausible idea. One should at least learn something properly before embarking upon that course of action.
4. There is a scene between Justine and Dominic in which Justine raises the fact that her husband "works." The way in which the point is discussed is just very odd and it is as if the concept of working is only something that a few people manage to accomplish. At times, the dialogue does not seem authentic.
5. Dominic's initial speech about a "sprig" was annoying as opposed to insightful. The subsequent references to Justine being a "sprig" just felt unnecessary.
6. When Justine finds out about a woman leaving a voice message on Tom's phone are far too contrived. The person is saved in Tom's phone as "S" when most people would choose to enter the proper name of the person or the company.
7. The couple wants to adopt a child and this seems to be a source of tension between the couple. It makes for an interesting subplot and Tom never seems to be that engaged with the idea.
The movie is entertaining, but some of the dialogue is a bit annoying.
Boring with capital B
CpOhUeRnToNiExY-122 August 2020
LMN movies are my guilty pleasure. I love watching for the sheer ridiculousness of the plots and characters. My 14 year old son has even started watching with me just so we can laugh at the craziness of it all!
With that being said, this is the most boring LMN movie I've ever seen. Nothing happens for an hour and a half into the movie. Just a lot of talking, stretching and weird bathtub dreams.
Snore.
Go Ahead and call.
nogodnomasters14 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Tom (Brady Smith) and Justine (Ashley Wood ) want to adopt a child but are always not a good fit. Justine takes yoga and gets too close to her instructor who is a psycho.
Made for TV. Wooden characters. Lousy sound track.
Made for TV. Wooden characters. Lousy sound track.
Not too bad once it finally got started.
tomfsloan22 August 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Very, very slow to get started. It took an hour to get anywhere. If you watch this movie, skip the first hour. To fill you in, in one minute, here's what you missed. A couple is having trouble adopting a baby. The man is a workaholic. The woman takes up yoga with a friendly yoga instructor. The husband and wife get suspicious of each other. Things get better and worse.
Basically it went from 0 to 60 in 75 minutes. There was no gradual buildup to the psycho aspect. Of course it had a somewhat predictable ending.
On the other hand there are always too many commercials. But I did like the Pepto Bismol commercial.
"I Am a Sprig"
lavatch24 March 2021
Warning: Spoilers
He goes by the name of Dominic Romero. In truth, he is Sebastian Nikos, who was formerly known as Elijah, Jay, and Terrance. A skilled yoga instructor, Dominic is first and foremost a predator, moving around the country and claiming as victims lonely, married women as his stock-in-trade.
In "Psycho Yoga Instructor," Dominic instinctively gravitates towards his student Justine Grace, who is especially vulnerable at a time when she and her husband have failed in their attempts to adopt a baby. Justine's husband Tom is a workaholic and pill-popper, who has been distant and callous. At one point, Justine even suspects that he may be having an affair. In a moment of weakness, Justine kisses Dominic. And when she reflects on the moment and rejects him, it brings out his "toxins," resulting in a bout of insane, uncontrolled rage.
A strength of the film was in the yoga sessions. Those scenes could have been deadly dull, but the performers were extremely convincing in the exercises. But a shortcoming of the film was in the villain Dominic, whose Jekyll-and-Hyde character portrayal was not convincing, especially when Dominic's dark side emerged.
Surprisingly, the most interesting relationship was that of the husband and wife. There was an ebb-and-flow in the interactions of a couple who had been sweethearts from college. Their goal of rededicating themselves to their marriage and adopting a child overshadowed the scenes of the crazed yoga instructor who had intruded on their lives. Dominic's tag line of "I am a sprig" was overused and hollow, just as other platitudes he mouthed, such as "you have to process your feelings" and strive "to achieve your full potential."
For this reason, it was disappointing that the film's denouement was given over to the aftermath of Dominic, who managed once again to escape the long arm of the law. The stronger closing moments would have been the joys of starting the family that Tom and Justine had coveted and the miracle of learning that a new baby would be entering their lives.
In "Psycho Yoga Instructor," Dominic instinctively gravitates towards his student Justine Grace, who is especially vulnerable at a time when she and her husband have failed in their attempts to adopt a baby. Justine's husband Tom is a workaholic and pill-popper, who has been distant and callous. At one point, Justine even suspects that he may be having an affair. In a moment of weakness, Justine kisses Dominic. And when she reflects on the moment and rejects him, it brings out his "toxins," resulting in a bout of insane, uncontrolled rage.
A strength of the film was in the yoga sessions. Those scenes could have been deadly dull, but the performers were extremely convincing in the exercises. But a shortcoming of the film was in the villain Dominic, whose Jekyll-and-Hyde character portrayal was not convincing, especially when Dominic's dark side emerged.
Surprisingly, the most interesting relationship was that of the husband and wife. There was an ebb-and-flow in the interactions of a couple who had been sweethearts from college. Their goal of rededicating themselves to their marriage and adopting a child overshadowed the scenes of the crazed yoga instructor who had intruded on their lives. Dominic's tag line of "I am a sprig" was overused and hollow, just as other platitudes he mouthed, such as "you have to process your feelings" and strive "to achieve your full potential."
For this reason, it was disappointing that the film's denouement was given over to the aftermath of Dominic, who managed once again to escape the long arm of the law. The stronger closing moments would have been the joys of starting the family that Tom and Justine had coveted and the miracle of learning that a new baby would be entering their lives.
A "different" kind of Lifetime movie - quite good and a little scary!
Chartreuse19 June 2020
This movie has a surprising title and baited us to tune it and so we watched. Both the acting and the plot were very strong! Bored housewife goes to yoga class with a friend and finds out the instructor is a psycho who wants to give her private lessons! Uh, oh.......Enjoyable and recommended!
VIEWS ON FILM review of Psycho Yoga Instructor
burlesonjesse510 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
2020's Psycho Yoga Instructor is my latest review. And yeah I'm wondering, what's up with all these constant, unadorned Lifetime movie titles? Couldn't they have named it something more out of the box like Warriors Breath?
Released on demand just three days ago and at war with who the helmer is (Brian Herzlinger or pseudonym Thomas Sullivan), Psycho Yoga Instructor is adequately slick but not entertaining enough to rival its similar correlative, Psycho Escort. At a random moment, I chuckled to myself silently and said, "what's next, Psycho Indoor Spin Coach?"
Starring unknown actresses Ashley Wood and Lily Rains and featuring a goof of an antagonist in Panos Viahos (he plays Canada Dry-like journeyman and said psycho Dominic), Psycho Yoga Instructor is about a Hindu guru who becomes obsessed with one of his students while trying to nastily break up her flimsy marriage.
Clocking in at a running time of about 90 minutes (without commercials) and featuring yoga poses where personal space is severely invaded, Psycho Yoga Instructor burns largo and fails to provoke any real fear despite harboring a relatively creepy ending ("today is your first step in your growth of what you're meant to be"). Actor Viahos however, did get one thing right. He digs so deep into his role you believe he's Mr. yoga extraordinaire himself ("big inhale, hand and knees halfway left, beautiful long spine").
All in all, Psycho Yoga Instructor is fairly well directed despite a little camp and some interludes of cheesy dreamlike sequences (rub-a-dub-dub in the tub). And the characters although unlikable and humdrum, do have somewhat decent portrayals by everyone involved. Bottom line: Opened to a sequel which will probably never happen, Psycho Yoga Instructor is no "downward dog" but it's no combo thriller masterpiece either. "Asana" everyone! Rating: Two and a half stars.
Released on demand just three days ago and at war with who the helmer is (Brian Herzlinger or pseudonym Thomas Sullivan), Psycho Yoga Instructor is adequately slick but not entertaining enough to rival its similar correlative, Psycho Escort. At a random moment, I chuckled to myself silently and said, "what's next, Psycho Indoor Spin Coach?"
Starring unknown actresses Ashley Wood and Lily Rains and featuring a goof of an antagonist in Panos Viahos (he plays Canada Dry-like journeyman and said psycho Dominic), Psycho Yoga Instructor is about a Hindu guru who becomes obsessed with one of his students while trying to nastily break up her flimsy marriage.
Clocking in at a running time of about 90 minutes (without commercials) and featuring yoga poses where personal space is severely invaded, Psycho Yoga Instructor burns largo and fails to provoke any real fear despite harboring a relatively creepy ending ("today is your first step in your growth of what you're meant to be"). Actor Viahos however, did get one thing right. He digs so deep into his role you believe he's Mr. yoga extraordinaire himself ("big inhale, hand and knees halfway left, beautiful long spine").
All in all, Psycho Yoga Instructor is fairly well directed despite a little camp and some interludes of cheesy dreamlike sequences (rub-a-dub-dub in the tub). And the characters although unlikable and humdrum, do have somewhat decent portrayals by everyone involved. Bottom line: Opened to a sequel which will probably never happen, Psycho Yoga Instructor is no "downward dog" but it's no combo thriller masterpiece either. "Asana" everyone! Rating: Two and a half stars.
Entertaining for what it is
innerlooper964 July 2023
This definitely is not a movie that is meant to win accolades, much less Oscars, but it's entertaining and easy to watch. I'm a fan of trying to learn from everything I watch, and for this movie, I learned that sometimes we just have to take things for what they are (to get the most out of them).
I liked the lead actress a lot; something about her is amiable and endearing, plus she really seemed to want to do right by her marriage.
Her husband initially seems prickly, but he is very affable as well. I appreciate that he is a fellow Texan, and LOVED his little accent that I could hear (being a native and all).
The strengths of this movie to me are the friendship between the two women, and also the marriage itself. If you are married, you likely have been in similar situations with your spouse, and it gets difficult to constantly see unrealistic depictions of marriage. This couple really mastered the subtleties of marriage after the honeymoon is over, and the "surprise" he provides to her is so sweet. I don't cry at movies, but if I did, that scene would have required some tissues.
Dominic the weird yoga sensei is definitely creeperville and he did a fantastic job at being a complete loser. It was funny to see him turn into someone so uncertain of himself, and it seems like he enjoyed playing that role.
Great little flick to watch if you are just wanting to forget about your own life for a little.
I liked the lead actress a lot; something about her is amiable and endearing, plus she really seemed to want to do right by her marriage.
Her husband initially seems prickly, but he is very affable as well. I appreciate that he is a fellow Texan, and LOVED his little accent that I could hear (being a native and all).
The strengths of this movie to me are the friendship between the two women, and also the marriage itself. If you are married, you likely have been in similar situations with your spouse, and it gets difficult to constantly see unrealistic depictions of marriage. This couple really mastered the subtleties of marriage after the honeymoon is over, and the "surprise" he provides to her is so sweet. I don't cry at movies, but if I did, that scene would have required some tissues.
Dominic the weird yoga sensei is definitely creeperville and he did a fantastic job at being a complete loser. It was funny to see him turn into someone so uncertain of himself, and it seems like he enjoyed playing that role.
Great little flick to watch if you are just wanting to forget about your own life for a little.
Wonderful movie
dimitriantomiou8 September 2020
Surreal switch from a trusted yoga sensei to a scorned lover psycho
marian-g22 March 2021
I always look at bad reviews if a movie has some but simple "bad" or "boring" here just is simply not appropriate.
This is a Lifetime Network TV movie intended for certain female audience and even though the first half of the movie is mostly a mix of drama of marriage crisis and yoga class, it is still interesting to watch how things can turn bizarre even in an yoga class.
Well there's lesson to be learned that one should make extra effort to be cautious in vulnerable or trying life situations - easier said than done!
Psycho Yoga Instructor.....with 30 minutes left
CranberriAppl17 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Is it really a movie about a psycho yoga instructor then? Nothing new in this one and it's a passable two hours for background noise. I thought the story between the husband and wife was well done, and the psycho yoga instructor cheapened it. I think given the issues they were having, it would have been better for the psycho to have been a colleague or an acquaintance that posed a more realistic threat to their relationship. The husband working long hours..maybe a fellow lawyer if they wanted to make him the object of obsession, or same with the wife....maybe someone that's been around the whole time? I didn't get the impression that Tom was actually threatened by Dominic. It wouldn't have the same title, but it'd make more sense.
The ending is absolutely ridiculous. No way this guy gets his head bashed on a bathtub (bathroom is the most dangerous room in the home is it not??), bleeds profusely, DROWNS, Justine is gone just long enough to run downstairs and open the front door...he somehow escapes out of a second story window. Ready to terrorize someone else. Stop insulting us, Lifetime.
The ending is absolutely ridiculous. No way this guy gets his head bashed on a bathtub (bathroom is the most dangerous room in the home is it not??), bleeds profusely, DROWNS, Justine is gone just long enough to run downstairs and open the front door...he somehow escapes out of a second story window. Ready to terrorize someone else. Stop insulting us, Lifetime.
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