“365 Days” is a Polish erotic romantic drama film released in 2020, directed by Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes, based on the first novel of a trilogy by Blanka Lipińska. The film follows the story of Massimo, a Sicilian mafia boss, who kidnaps a young Polish woman named Laura, hoping to convince her to fall in love with him within 365 days.
The primary themes of the movie include eroticism, sexual exploration, romance, and the darker side of power dynamics in relationships. It also portrays a fantasy-like lifestyle with lavish parties, exotic locations, and glamorous fashion.
The movie has gained popularity due to its steamy sex scenes and controversial themes, which attract a large audience, particularly in the younger demographic. However, it has also faced criticism for promoting toxic relationships, glorifying sexual violence, and portraying Italian men as violent, aggressive, and controlling.
Despite the criticisms, the movie has been a massive success, ranking in the top 10 most-watched films on Netflix in many countries. The film’s success has led to the production of a sequel, “365 Days: This Time I’m Going to Get You,” which was released in 2021.
It is worth noting that the film has sparked debates and discussions about the portrayal of sex and relationships in popular media. Some critics argue that the film glamorizes abusive and controlling behavior, while others argue that it is simply a work of fiction and should not be taken too seriously.
In summary, “365 Days” is a controversial movie that has gained massive popularity due to its steamy sex scenes and its exploration of power dynamics in relationships. While some people love the movie for its fantasy-like lifestyle, others criticize it for promoting toxic relationships and glorifying sexual violence.
If you enjoyed watching “365 Days” and are looking for similar movies with steamy sex scenes and themes of power dynamics in relationships, here are nine recommendations:
1. “Basic Instinct” – A classic erotic thriller, “Basic Instinct” stars Sharon Stone as a seductive crime novelist who becomes a prime suspect in a murder investigation.
2. “Blue is the Warmest Color” – This French coming-of-age film explores a young woman’s sexual awakening and her passionate relationship with an older, more experienced artist.
3. “Eyes Wide Shut” – Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film follows a married couple (played by Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman) as they explore their sexual fantasies and desires.
4. “Wild Orchid” – Set against the backdrop of Rio de Janeiro, “Wild Orchid” follows a young lawyer who falls for a mysterious woman with a dark past.
5. “The Handmaiden” – This South Korean movie tells the story of a con artist who tries to swindle a wealthy heiress but ends up falling in love with her instead.
6. “The Piano Teacher” – A psychological drama from Austria, “The Piano Teacher” explores the twisted relationship between a repressed piano teacher and her student.
7. “Secretary” – This quirky romantic comedy-drama stars Maggie Gyllenhaal as a submissive secretary who enters into a BDSM relationship with her boss.
8. “In the Realm of the Senses” – Based on a true story, this Japanese movie tells the story of a love affair between a hotel owner and his maid that descends into obsession and violence.
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1. “Basic Instinct”
“Basic Instinct” is a classic erotic thriller from 1992 directed by Paul Verhoeven. The movie stars Michael Douglas as a police detective who becomes obsessed with a crime novelist played by Sharon Stone. The two engage in a steamy and dangerous relationship as the detective tries to solve a murder case in which the novelist is a prime suspect.
Similar to “365 Days,” “Basic Instinct” explores the darker side of power dynamics in relationships and features explicit sex scenes. It has been praised for its suspenseful plot and Stone’s iconic performance, but has also faced criticism for its negative portrayal of bisexual women and its use of female nudity for shock value.
2. “Blue is the Warmest Color”
“Blue is the Warmest Color” is a French coming-of-age movie directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Julie Maroh. The movie follows the story of Adele, a young woman who falls in love with an older artist named Emma. The two embark on a passionate and intense relationship that explores themes of sexual awakening and self-discovery.
Like “365 Days,” “Blue is the Warmest Color” features explicit sex scenes and explores themes of power dynamics in relationships. However, it has been praised for its realistic portrayal of same-sex relationships and its exploration of the complexities of human emotions. The movie won the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and has been hailed as a modern classic.
3. “Eyes Wide Shut”
“Eyes Wide Shut” is a 1999 erotic drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick and stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The movie follows a New York City doctor, Bill Harford, as he embarks on a night-long journey of sexual discovery and obsession after his wife reveals her sexual fantasies. The story takes place over the course of one night as Bill becomes increasingly involved in a mysterious and dangerous underground sex cult.
Like “365 Days,” “Eyes Wide Shut” explores the themes of sexual desire and power dynamics in relationships. The movie features explicit sexual content and has been praised for its exploration of the darker aspects of human sexuality. It also touches on themes of jealousy, infidelity, and the fragility of marriage.
4. “Wild Orchid”
“Wild Orchid” is a 1989 erotic drama film directed by Zalman King and stars Mickey Rourke and Carré Otis. The movie follows a young lawyer named Emily Reed as she travels to Rio de Janeiro to work for a wealthy businessman. While there, she becomes involved in a passionate and intense relationship with her boss, who introduces her to the world of BDSM.
Similar to “365 Days,” “Wild Orchid” explores the themes of power dynamics in relationships and features explicit sexual content. The movie has been praised for its lush and sensual visuals and its exploration of sexual taboos. However, it has also faced criticism for its portrayal of BDSM as abusive and for its gratuitous use of female nudity.
5. “The Handmaiden”
“The Handmaiden” is a 2016 South Korean erotic thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. The movie is set in the 1930s and follows a young Korean woman named Sook-hee who is hired as a handmaiden to a wealthy Japanese heiress named Lady Hideko. Sook-hee becomes involved in a plot to defraud Lady Hideko of her fortune, but things become complicated when she develops feelings for her mistress.
Like “365 Days,” “The Handmaiden” explores themes of power dynamics in relationships and features explicit sexual content. The movie has been praised for its intricate plot, its stunning visuals, and its exploration of themes of class, gender, and sexuality. It also features a unique twist that turns the story on its head and keeps the viewer guessing until the end.
6. “The Piano Teacher”
“The Piano Teacher” is a 2001 Austrian drama film directed by Michael Haneke and stars Isabelle Huppert. The movie follows the story of Erika Kohut, a piano teacher at a conservatory in Vienna, who leads a repressed and lonely life. When a young male student becomes infatuated with her, she begins to explore her own dark and twisted sexual desires.
Like “365 Days,” “The Piano Teacher” explores themes of power dynamics in relationships and features explicit sexual content. The movie has been praised for its unflinching portrayal of the complexities of human desire and its exploration of the darker aspects of sexuality. It also features a powerhouse performance by Huppert, who delivers a haunting and unforgettable portrayal of a woman on the brink of self-destruction.
7. “Secretary”
“Secretary” is a 2002 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Steven Shainberg and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader. The movie follows the story of Lee Holloway, a young woman with a history of self-harm, who begins a job as a secretary for a demanding lawyer named E. Edward Grey. As Lee and Grey begin to explore their mutual interest in BDSM, their relationship takes a dark and obsessive turn.
Like “365 Days,” “Secretary” explores themes of power dynamics in relationships and features explicit sexual content. The movie has been praised for its unconventional portrayal of BDSM and its exploration of themes of self-discovery and empowerment. It also features a standout performance by Gyllenhaal, who brings depth and nuance to her portrayal of a woman coming into her own.
8. “In the Realm of the Senses”
“In the Realm of the Senses” is a 1976 Japanese-French art film directed by Nagisa Oshima. The movie is based on the true story of Sada Abe, a former geisha who became infamous in Japan for her sexual obsession with her employer, and ultimately killed him in a fit of passion.
Like “365 Days,” “In the Realm of the Senses” explores themes of sexual obsession and features explicit sexual content. The movie has been praised for its daring and provocative exploration of taboo subjects and its stunning cinematography. It also features a raw and intense performance by lead actress Eiko Matsuda, who brings a sense of vulnerability and desperation to her portrayal of Sada Abe. However, the film has also been criticized for its graphic depiction of violence and its potentially exploitative portrayal of female sexuality.
Here’s a table of the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomatoes scores for the movies:
| Movie | IMDb Rating | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
| 365 Days | 3.2 | 0% (Audience Score) |
| Basic Instinct | 7.0 | 53% (Critics Score) |
| Blue is the Warmest Color | 7.7 | 90% (Critics Score) |
| Eyes Wide Shut | 7.4 | 74% (Critics Score) |
| Wild Orchid | 4.5 | 7% (Critics Score) |
| The Handmaiden | 8.1 | 95% (Critics Score) |
| The Piano Teacher | 7.4 | 74% (Critics Score) |
| Secretary | 7.0 | 75% (Critics Score) |
| In the Realm of the Senses | 6.5 | 81% (Critics Score) |