5 Movies That Got Bondage Wrong

Over the years there have been many movies which portray sexual bondage as part of the plot or storyline. Sometimes, these scenes are particularly erotic and sometimes not so much. Other times the portrayal of the bondage scene is not particularly accurate as to what actual bondage would be like. Or, sometimes the bondage is used for evil purposes and that just doesn’t work for me. If you are interested in main stream (non-pornographic) movies that feature bondage and which ones got it a bit wrong, then read on!

1. Exit To Eden

Image of Rosie O'Donelle wearing leather corset

5 words: Rosie O’Donnell in a corset. ‘Nuff said. This comedic take on a brilliantly written novel by Anne Rice (Interview With A Vampire) does absolutely NO justice to the book it is based on OR to the bondage community as a whole. While the book is rich with details and accurately portrays what a fantasy island built for Dominants and submissives SHOULD be like, this movie is way less than. Along with Rosie this film stars Dan Akroyd and Dana Delaney (although, I am certain they have tried to forget it), but the starlit cast cannot save this movie. The bondage scenes are far from hot and all the characters seem uncomfortable and unsure – which is not how bondage is supposed to be. If you are looking for good bondage films just skip this one by.

2. The Secretary

Image of man holding carrot and woman biting down on it

Personally, I adore this movie. If you want a tiny snapshot into the absolute need involved when you realize you are a submissive, then this movie is for you! With the impeccable Maggie Gyllenhaal and the always fantastic James Spader playing up the sexy dynamic between a Dominant (Spader) and his secretary / submissive (Gyllenhaal), you can feel the tension from the first scenes. So, why did this get bondage wrong you ask? Well, it does have some interesting scenes where the bondage is fairly realistic (Gyllenhaal tied to a tree while they consummate their marriage), and then it has some REALLY bad scenes with some bondage that is off the beaten path odd (Gyllehaal wearing a saddle with a carrot in her mouth). The movie is worth the watch as long as you understand going in that much of the bondage scenes are slightly overplayed and somewhat ridiculous.

3. Fifty Shades of Grey

Image of woman leaning back in ecstasy wearing a black blindfold

Don’t shoot the messenger people! I am here to tell you that this movie has some redeeming bondage scenes for sure, but much of them are a bit over played. OK, A LOT overplayed. The reason the bondage falls short in my opinion is not because it is unrealistic – much of it is. It is the actress and her reactions TO the bondage as well as the sort of awkwardness in which some of the scenes take place. Christian Grey is a newly iconic member of the Dominants to watch out for list, but he seems to have more sub in him than Dom. This is what sets off the scenes in an awkward way for those of us in the know. I don’t know, perhaps my opinion is wrong here.

4. Basic Instinct

Image of man restrained in bed

Sharon Stone is one CRAZY woman! She loves to tie her lovers to the bed and then KILL THEM! OK, well not every guy dies in that way, as Michael Douglas survives his bondage experience with the saucy Sharon. So, why is this bondage gone awry? It is fun and flirty for sure – and even remotely sexy – as Stone rides him to her own mini-death while he is strapped in to the bed. It is just that the idea of using bondage to commit murder doesn’t set very well with me! Make love not murder I say!

5. Nine 1/2 Weeks

Image of man and woman making out under shower

Probably one of the first more main stream movies to ever show some pretty racy sex between a more Dominant male (Mickey Rourke – before he got ugly) and Kim Basinger who is intrigued by his overtly sexual demeanor. They do it all over the place – in the rain, outside, on the kitchen floor, in elevators – yeah, they get hot and heavy. The bondage though – is quite – meh. There is blindfolding, forced masturbation, some restraining but where the film gets it wrong is the idea of punishment as part of the deal. It isn’t always, and this film doesn’t seem to be able to separate the two. The film is racy for its age – and the sex scenes are hot – but the bondage. Nope.

What Movies Do You Enjoy That Feature Bondage? Let Us Know In The Comments!


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