In the Realm of the Senses

In the Realm of the Senses is a provocative and thought-provoking drama that explores the intense and all-consuming nature of sexual obsession. Set in pre-warwar Japan, the film tells the story of a former prostitute named Sada Abe who begins an affair with the owner of the hotel where she works, Kichizo Ishida. As their relationship deepens, their desire for each other becomes increasingly intense, leading them to engage in various forms of sexual experimentation and self-indulgence. As Sada becomes more possessive and jealous, Kichizo finds himself increasingly willing to please her, even as their sexual encounters become more violent and destructive. The film's themes of power dynamics, sexual obsession, and the blurred lines between violence and love are exemplified in the couple's relationship, which ultimately leads to tragic consequences. Featuring explicit and unsimulated sex scenes, In the Realm of the Senses was controversial upon its release in the 1970s and remains a bold and daring work of cinema to this day. It is a powerful and haunting exploration of the human psyche and the limits of sexual desire, and is not for the faint of heart.

You can stream In the Realm of the Senses on: The Criterion Channel

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as In the Realm of the Senses include The Way We Were, A Woman Under the Influence, Somewhere in Time, Ali: Fear Eats the Soul, Badlands, Barry Lyndon.

In the Realm of the Senses was released in theaters on April 1, 1977.