Featured Audience Ratings

• Veronique K

  
  romantic

• AJ V

  
  A beautiful, but very adult, film. The story is very powerful and kinda crazy, but I think it was actually based on a true story! An excellent movie about obsession.

• Randy T

  
  Fascinating tale of two lovers who become so obsessed with each other that it eventually consumes them. I lost count as to how many times this couple had sex but it was a LOT. If there ever was a film that could have benefited from a little 'product placement' of Viagra,… More
  Fascinating tale of two lovers who become so obsessed with each other that it eventually consumes them. I lost count as to how many times this couple had sex but it was a LOT. If there ever was a film that could have benefited from a little 'product placement' of Viagra, this would be that film.

• David L

  
  In the Realm of the Senses is a film that has divided opinions among those that have seen it (a number that is not too big thanks to the film being banned in many countries across the globe), but love it or hate it; you have to admit that In the Realm of the Senses is certainly very… More
  In the Realm of the Senses is a film that has divided opinions among those that have seen it (a number that is not too big thanks to the film being banned in many countries across the globe), but love it or hate it; you have to admit that In the Realm of the Senses is certainly very interesting. The plot is allegedly (according to the epilogue) based on a true story, although I would describe it as a more hardcore version of the 1969 Pinku film 'Blind Beast'; although In the Realm of the Senses is a really different experience and could not in any way be considered a copy of the earlier film. The plot primarily focuses on love and obsession, and we get two central characters. They are Kichizo and Sada and the pair meet and fall in love rather quickly. It's not long before they are spending every waking minute together; and most of the time they spend is naked, engaging in sex all the time. Sada soon becomes infatuated with Kichizo and as their relationship becomes more and more intimate, things begin to spiral out of control. This film is somewhat unique for the fact that it's both Japanese and features gratuitous, full-on nudity. The film really doesn't hold back either, and one of the most shocking things about is how seeing the two central characters naked for most of the film doesn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. There's some hardcore and explicit sex scenes too, with blow jobs, anal etc featuring often. The film is sometimes passed off as merely pornography, but it's not a fair statement to make about the film. While it certainly is very pornographic, it's clear that director Nagisa Oshima valued telling a story over shocking his audience and the gratuitous nudity exists to further the point that the film is trying to make. The film is very well made; the cinematography is beautiful and all the performers do well; Eiko Matsuda in particular is excellent as the obsessive leading lady. It's clear that the film is building up to something and while the conclusion is hinted at early on; it's still shocking enough once it arrives. Overall, this is a fantastic film and a must see for cult fans.

• Arash X

  
  Groundbreaking & highly controversial for its time & was banned outright in many countries this movie is based on a true story about sexual obsession, It's somehow monotonous but that's ok and after all it has guts which is a good thing, The uncut version is really… More
  Groundbreaking & highly controversial for its time & was banned outright in many countries this movie is based on a true story about sexual obsession, It's somehow monotonous but that's ok and after all it has guts which is a good thing, The uncut version is really graphic

• Cindy I

  
  Porn dressed up as art. This Japanese-made film tells the supposedly true story of a couple who are sexually obsessed with each other to the point of murder. While it's titillating enough in places (a very quick fellatio scene is here for example), it's actually kinda boring… More
  Porn dressed up as art. This Japanese-made film tells the supposedly true story of a couple who are sexually obsessed with each other to the point of murder. While it's titillating enough in places (a very quick fellatio scene is here for example), it's actually kinda boring watching these people have sex all the time. And once one of the main characters snaps towards the end, it loses all momentum it had. Yawn.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Tedious, nothing more than pornography in disguise. the shoking ending is the only remarkable moment, and it makes the film quite bearable.

• Dean M

  
  Sicko erotic tale.

• Caesar M

  
  I saw "Into the Realm of the Senses" without any knowledge before viewing it so imagine my shock when I discover there such a thing as an "erotic art" genre. Not only that but after doing some research it turns this movie is based on a true story on Sada Abe… More
  I saw "Into the Realm of the Senses" without any knowledge before viewing it so imagine my shock when I discover there such a thing as an "erotic art" genre. Not only that but after doing some research it turns this movie is based on a true story on Sada Abe personal experiences. Having seen this film which mostly consisted of two couple having sex works in the film context, though has far too little substance not to be consider a porno. Also I must apologize for any unintentional innuendo since writing about this film was more difficult than I originally thought. In the Realm of the Senses is based on a true story set in pre-war Japan, a man and one of his servants begin a torrid affair. Their desire becomes a sexual obsession so strong that to intensify their ardor, they forsake all, even life itself. That's pretty much all that happens in its 100 minute run-time, aside from Sada Abe cutting off her husband Slim Jim. Now the film does justify the endless amount of sex shown because in terms of the story it's primarily character driven. This is the only way the two characters know how to show affection for each other even if its kills them. There's even some conflict the characters faced whenever they become separated and can't control their desire for each other. Even jealousy plays a part the further it goes. The more obsessed Sada Abe becomes the more threatening she is towards her husband doubting his faithfulness towards her. This is a trait that shows she is not entirely mentally stable. Sex in this movie is meant to represent the couple state in their relationship by showing the two when they enjoy it and struggling to continue with their love. Now that's just mine interpretation of the story. As much as I am praising it this is not a universally approachable film. You have to see it and form your own conclusion since it content is not something everyone can form a single conclusion towards. So can it be considered a porno? Yes and no. The couple we follow are each one dimensional. The only amount development you'll get is one character is a former prostitute and the man she loves is an unfaithful husband. It can't be consider a porno for this reason because both do have one dimensional characters. Then the sex scenes are very explicit and unstimulated. So for all adults and parents if you do plan on seeing keep it away from kids. For this reason some will regard this as a porno, but remember their are several film that also feature unstimulated sex scenes too. Though there are times it gets across some bizarre fetishes. Like a scene in which the husband insert an egg into his wife...you know and tells her to act like a hen. Then the husband goes on to eat the egg. Also no film or porno I know would go as far as to show kids naked on screen because that is plain tasteless. No matter what the kids where to meant to represent in the scene it's just uncomfortable. Worst being an obvious edit in the version I got in which a woman grabs the naked boy and it zooms to not show what she's doing with the young boy. Some might argue it could be harmless, but if it was then there would be no need to alter it. This is also the primary reason I can't recommend it either. Into the Realm of the Senses is an unconventional character driven film that's deep in it meaning or plain porn with a plot depending whose talking about it. It's not something the masses should go out seeing since it's rough story is hard to view and can get very uncomfortable. This is one of those artistic film in which you either think is telling something deep or disregard as being pretentious.

• Walter M

  
  [font=Century Gothic]"In the Realm of the Senses" takes place in Japan in the 1930's. Sada(Eiko Matsuda) is a former prostitute and the new employee at a teahouse. Upon meeting her boss(Tatsuya Fuji), they begin one of your normal all-encompassing love affairs where… More
  [font=Century Gothic]"In the Realm of the Senses" takes place in Japan in the 1930's. Sada(Eiko Matsuda) is a former prostitute and the new employee at a teahouse. Upon meeting her boss(Tatsuya Fuji), they begin one of your normal all-encompassing love affairs where they only do two things - have sex and drink saki. And they really, really cannot stand to be apart from each other, even with the occasional money and spouse issues.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]"In the Realm of the Senses" is an extremely sexually explicit tale that is based on a true story. That having been said, it is not in the least erotic. You do need more than sex to tell a story. Even pornographic movies have a delusion of plot. And like "The Dreamers," I also found this movie very annoying because it is about unsympathetic people who have kinky sex inside while momentous events are happening just outside. The ending is particularly revolting.[/font]

• Panta O

  
  In the Realm of the Senses was with a reason named Bullfight of Love on Japanese: Ai no Korida,(Spanish: Corrida)... and I had to cheer at the end to the actors and the director like on a real Corrida. This French-Japanese erotic art film directed by Nagisa Oshima could be… More
  In the Realm of the Senses was with a reason named Bullfight of Love on Japanese: Ai no Korida,(Spanish: Corrida)... and I had to cheer at the end to the actors and the director like on a real Corrida. This French-Japanese erotic art film directed by Nagisa Oshima could be classified as porn by many, but if that happens, please, let me know where can I find such porns! This film generated great controversy during its release, because it was intended for mainstream wide release, presenting Sada Abe "incident" (maybe the right name for the event) from 1930s Japan, that of Sada Abe with lots of scenes of unsimulated sexual activity between the actors (especially Tatsuya Fuji and Eiko Matsuda). And those scenes were amazing with acting of the main characters. Yes, there is amazingly sexually explicit treatment of the events but the French title of the movie covers that: L'Empire des sens. This was one of the most sensual movies I ever experienced - everything was somehow connected to sensing, feeling, passion or building any of those feelings. The story of former prostitute Sada Abe (Eiko Matsuda) who starts an affair with the hotel's owner where she now works as a maid, Kichizo Ishida (Tatsuya Fuji), is out of this world! It is told in very unique way and even when the owner molests her, and the two begin an intense affair that consists of sexual experiments, drinking, and various self-indulgences - nothing seems too much or unusual. That is the beauty of this film - Nagisa Oshima pushes the boundaries and almost forces us (very smoothly) to accept them as only possible "normal" outcome! It slows down a little bit after the middle part but picks up the tempo with incredible punch: Just imagine the last scene in which Abe then severs his penis and testicles and writes, "Sada Kichi the two of us forever," in blood on his chest... anyone else has done it before? I didn't think so... Not for everyone, but I will recommend it to people who love art and are not uncomfortable seeing love and lust in action.

• Quinto W

  
  This movie left me feeling phisically weak. Don't get me wrong, I'm no prude, believe me, but the sexuality of this movie is harrowing and tiring, which is also the point, it's a clear manifestation of these characters relationship, but having only the sex to base us… More
  This movie left me feeling phisically weak. Don't get me wrong, I'm no prude, believe me, but the sexuality of this movie is harrowing and tiring, which is also the point, it's a clear manifestation of these characters relationship, but having only the sex to base us on, well, it doesn't leave a reason to actually care or know either of them.

• Daisy M

  
  In the realm of Senses was wonderfully plotted and expertly acted that it almost had a dream effect. It was an erotic fantasy turned into nightmare. It was the story of a sexual relationship between a young Japanese couple.At first lustful and erotic, they can't get enough from… More
  In the realm of Senses was wonderfully plotted and expertly acted that it almost had a dream effect. It was an erotic fantasy turned into nightmare. It was the story of a sexual relationship between a young Japanese couple.At first lustful and erotic, they can't get enough from each other. However, their obsession ended in tragedy.

• Ivan D

  
  A film about a bizarre sexual obsession and its tragic outcome, the film showed that some human will kill just to attain sexual ecstacy. "In the Realm of the Senses" is not porn, its visual representation is overshadowed by sex scenes, but it has more deeper meaning that… More
  A film about a bizarre sexual obsession and its tragic outcome, the film showed that some human will kill just to attain sexual ecstacy. "In the Realm of the Senses" is not porn, its visual representation is overshadowed by sex scenes, but it has more deeper meaning that will enter your subconscious without you being aware of it. In my opinion, it is "art", but just like the case of "Salo'", it just went too far, and some might think that this film is very sickening. "In the Realm of the Senses" is a heavily depressing film, but its undying ability to change a person's perception of life is undeniably strong, and only few films can do that.

Read all 14 featured audience ratings