“Fair Play” on Netflix: Filmmaker Explains the Shocking Ending of the Critically Acclaimed Erotic Thriller

Since its critically acclaimed premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, ‘Fair Play’ has been one of the most anticipated thrillers of the year – not least because Netflix then spent a whopping $20 million to acquire the distribution rights and produced a whole series was left behind. by other bidders. The film with the “Bridgerton” star has been out since October 5 Phoebe Dynevor And Alden Ehrenreich (“Solo: A Star Wars Story”) is finally available for free to subscribers of the streaming service – and is now causing a lot of conversation in this country too.

No wonder, because director and screenwriter Chloe Domont focuses in ‘Fair Play’ on a young and successful couple, who at first cannot keep their hands off each other – and at some point raise their hands to each other. What turn the romance should take is continually established through small hints and foreshadowing until the circle closes completely at the end, leaving behind a catastrophe.

We first get to know Emily and Luke as passionate lovers who attack each other in the bathroom at a wedding reception. However, their excitement is dampened when they realize Emily is on her period – and is replaced by wild joy when Luke proposes to his girlfriend. Here, Domont tries to get us on their side, as a proposal amid blood portrays the couple as chaotic as they are charming and endearing. But what begins in blood will end in blood.

In “Fair Play” love becomes a struggle for power

Because Emily and Luke work in the same financial firm, a heavily male-dominated environment with an annoying boss at the top. Since they don’t feel like talking, they keep their new relationship a secret, which will later become their downfall. When a promotion opens up, the two are suddenly competing for the same position, and Luke is sure he will be at the forefront. Surprisingly, Emily gets the position and self-doubt arises in Luke, as does his coworkers’ chatter about how much Emily’s promotion really had to do with her abilities—or more to do with the fact that she’s a woman. But instead, Emily discovers that Luke is one of the company’s weakest employees and he can’t handle it.

Sharp comments are followed by physical attacksUntil Luke storms into Emily’s important meeting and accuses her of sexual harassment as his superior in front of the entire team. At their engagement party that same evening, an escalating argument starts with words and ends with rape in the bathroom. Now Emily lies to her workplace and tells her boss that Luke has been stalking her for months. However, what he cares more about than taking anyone to task is the company’s reputation, which is why he treats Emily with indifference.

About toxic masculinity and female empowerment

However, Emily realizes that she must hold Luke accountable – especially when he stands before her in the grand finale and continues to brazenly deny all her accusations. She takes the knife and cuts off her fiancé’s arm until he falls to his knees and begs her forgiveness. The blood drips onto the floor, the circle closes, and for director Chloe Domont, the point has been reached where the film reveals its true intent. while she talks explained:

“While there are elements of feminine rage here, this final scene is not about feminine rage, but rather about holding a man accountable for his actions and confronting his own inferiority. Luke’s inability to stand causes so much pain and destruction for both of them. For me, the entire film comes down to this moment when Emily makes Luke acknowledge his own failure and weakness by muttering the words “I am nothing” – Because even more than about female self-empowerment, the film is about male vulnerability.”