Review of In the Realm of the Senses (1976) by Alex M — 18 Nov 2013

Loosely based on true events, In The Realm Of The Senses is a superb erotic film that is both sizzling with its sexuality, but it can also be quite disturbing as well. While apparently there are some hidden themes against imperial rule at the time, the film is mostly about two twisted people coming together to push their sexual desires to their ultimate and dangerous limits.

Many people flatly dismiss this film as just being pornography, and while yes, it is a very graphic film that doesn't shy away from showing the viewer various things(Most of which was unsimulated, by the way), I found it to be a very compelling and fascinating film that really shows the dark depths of its characters' souls and their desires.

I also admired it because it doesn't shy away from the subject of sexuality and that it fearlessly shows the darkest, animal-like ferocity that can encompass the twisted desires of most human beings, whether they like to admit it or not.

If the viewer takes the time to analyze the film, rather than flatly dismiss it as pornography, what they will find is so much more than meets the eye. It's a dark, twisted, sexy, and horrifying film that shows the descent of its characters into monstrous behavior in the name of their desires.

And it's not afraid to show such depravity. It's a superb and thought-provoking erotic film that has much more to say than merely showing graphic sex scenes. It's a film about the darkest depths of human nature.