In this review, we delve into the controversial movie “365 Days,” which unexpectedly gained immense popularity across Europe due to its presence on TikTok. However, behind the facade of its success lies a trigger warning, as this film represents one of the most disturbing depictions of toxic masculinity, justifying and glorifying rape and abuse.
Plot Summary:
“365 Days” follows a mafia mob boss who kidnaps a woman and sets a timeline of 365 days for her to fall in love with him. Regrettably, the movie confuses love with Stockholm syndrome, a psychological phenomenon where hostages develop a bond with their captors during intimate moments to cope with their predicament. This unsettling premise resembles something that could have been mistakenly uploaded to Netflix instead of a platform like PornHub. The script fails to acknowledge that this setting could be better suited for a torture horror movie, were it not for the main character’s wealth. The film suggests that his affluence entitles him to engage in sexual acts whether the woman consents or not, adhering to a disgusting and misguided logic.
Comparison to Similar Works:
“365 Days” targets the same audience as the lackluster “50 Shades of Grey” and shares the commonality of being based on best-selling novels, hinting at potential sequels. However, while “50 Shades of Grey” at least attempts to address consent through fully developed scenes, “365 Days” unapologetically amplifies toxic masculinity throughout its narrative.
Problematic Representation and Dialogue:
Any effort to build sexual tension in “365 Days” only results in cringe-worthy dialogue, exemplified by lines like “I’m gonna fuck you so hard that they will hear you scream in Warsaw.” These moments are reminiscent of poorly written BDSM fanfiction, leaving the audience questioning if the script was borrowed from platforms like Tumblr or Wattpad. Essentially, “365 Days” is nothing more than a misogynistic softcore porn film, incorporating every trope that instinctively feels wrong. Unfortunately, it fails to redeem itself with a subpar script and an underwhelming soundtrack. It is crucial to steer clear of this movie for the sake of your own well-being, even if its apparent flaws might entice some as a guilty pleasure cringefest. Regrettably, it falls short of even that low expectation.
“365 Days” may have gained popularity through TikTok, but this does not excuse its deeply problematic portrayal of toxic masculinity. Its narrative glorifies rape and abuse, blurring the line between love and Stockholm syndrome. This film fails to live up to the success of “50 Shades of Grey” and is instead reminiscent of misogynistic softcore porn. If you value meaningful and respectful depictions of love and consent, it is advisable to avoid “365 Days” altogether.
