by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Are the erotic thrillers of the ‘80s and ‘90s gone forever? Back then, this subgenre was delivering some sexy and unnerving experiences, with relationships that felt forbidden and drenched with sex and danger. There is certainly room for these films in today’s cinematic landscape, but something felt particularly fitting for them to come out in that specific window of pop culture. After a launch at Sundance, Netflix brings to your home a new entry into this subgenre, Fair Play, which follows a fresh, young couple whose relationship is put to the test in the cutthroat world of hedge funds and Wall Street.
What does director Chloe Domont bring to the table with her feature debut? There is definitely the right kind of feel for this film to channel the likes of Fatal Attraction and Basic Instincts. Cinematographer Menno Mans assists Domont in bringing this story to life with a sleek and atmospheric take that has the tension feeling quite palpable. The film has a sleek and classy New York style atmosphere that always has something seedier and uglier underneath. Strip clubs. Backstabbing. Insider trading. As the film progresses, the audience is confronted with darker and darker twists that leave this young couple fractured and in a dark place. Domont knows how to capture the foreboding nature of a thriller with the perceived sexiness of that Wall Street life.
Does the story match this sleek and unexpectedly dark atmosphere that engulfs our characters? There are certainly some expected beats throughout the first two acts of this film. We know the general trajectory of this thriller. A young couple working in a cutthroat business, each with their own ambitions. Where could this possibly go wrong? Well, exactly what you would expect to. But that familiarity burns away with how far Domont is willing to take this escalation and the downright disturbing nature of the descent. We witness the darkness that can be possible in people, as this couple goes to dark places to gain control or cause pain. This film lives up to its thriller genre, and not necessarily its title. You will probably be shocked by just how far these two will go to get what they want.
Do we get behind these two characters? That is the challenge of the film, but the actors go a long way in creating compelling characters. Phoebe Dynevor delivers a layered and complex performance as Emily, and it is the anchor to the whole film. We see a woman capable of love, but who is also capable of playing the game. Dynevor brings the self-destructive behavior of Emily to life, whether it is drunken nights or deceitful manipulations. She is well matched by Alden Ehrenreich, who brings an energy that is fiery at times as Luke. We don’t get to know him on the same level as Emily, but Ehrenreich brings a strong bit of mystery to his actions to keep the audience on their toes. Throw in a strong performance by Eddie Marsan as their cold and calculating boss and Rich Sommer as his slimy crony ,and we have ourselves quite the ensemble.
Does Fair Play breathe life back into the erotic thriller subgenre? This film stands above many recent attempts, as it avoids being too campy or ridiculous. There is a cold and stark realism to much of the film at least. The story takes these characters to extremes and challenges the audience to empathize with them. That might be hard for many watching the film, and you might leave these characters behind in their own greed and manipulation, but maybe that is part of the point.
Rating: Liked It
Fair Play is currently streaming on Netflix
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