Pleasure

R

Released May 13, 2022

1h 45m

Drama

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List

88%

122 Reviews

Tomatometer

62%

100+ Ratings

Audience Score

Ninja Thyberg's debut feature film Pleasure is a journey into the Los Angeles porn industry through the lens of newcomer Bella Cherry (Sofia Kappel). Strong, self-confident and determined, Bella embarks on a mission to become the best at any cost.

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Critics Consensus

Provocative on more than one level, Pleasure peels back the curtain on unsavory aspects of the adult film industry, with Sofia Kappel's powerful performance leading the way.

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Veronica M

A very well made movie that takes you to experience emotions of each character goes through the stages of each journey.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/22

Full Review

Ghederick Eshmont

The highs of Ninja Thyberg’s film are absolutely brilliant…but the lows and excessive lingering scenes on set drag the film.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/29/22

Full Review

Stephen M

Riveting, Hot, Very Sexual

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/22/22

Full Review

Alex H

This is a good, albeit highly cringeworthy movie. The main character is its biggest downside. Her constant blah expression and monotone, horse voice make her incredibly annoying. With that said her empty, one-track mind does suit the role she plays. The realism of the acting and the unfiltered portrayal of the porn industry are the film's biggest strengths. Actually, the cinematography is equally fantastic. It explores the hollow depths of the world of pornography, and it does not hold back in its depictions of how that world operates. This was the kind of movie that needed to be as extreme as it was to get its point across. It's honestly very good, but that doesn't necessarily mean I loved it. It's hard to watch. The characters are all unlikeable (Bella's best friend is excluded from this statement). All in all, it's worth watching if the mystery of the adult film industry sparks your curiosity. I almost dare say it's important to watch if you're a heavy consumer of porn.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/24

Full Review

Eri V

Trying to show behind the scenes, and how perverse it can be, why not? What I didn't like in this movie is that the main character is as empty as a 3 min porn vid. All the movie, she's as fake as that, except maybe after her "extreme"/#rape scene. Maybe it's to the viewer to get the why, and I can read through the lines to build my theory. But some obviousness would have helped others, imo. At least to avoid some misunderstandings.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

06/22/23

Full Review

dave d

It's essentially how the porn industry treats people except sugar coated. Not as sexual as it is disturbing. And neither a well-acted nor a good dramatic feature by any means. Final Score: 4.6/10

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

05/13/23

Full Review

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Ninja Thyberg

Director

Sofia Kappel

Bella

Revika Anne Reustle

Joy

Jason Toler

Mike

Alice Grey

Aliah

Michael Omelko

Jules

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Pleasure: Trailer 1

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

Working with cinematographer Sophie Winqvist Loggins, writer-director Thyberg finds ingenious angles and original choreography to shoot pornographic shoots. For all the nudity and thrusting on screen no one could describe Pleasure as voyeuristic.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 16, 2022

Full Review

Kevin Maher

Times (UK)

This is an immersive and unflinching narrative whirl through the LA porn industry, with no blushes spared.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 17, 2022

Full Review

Clarisse Loughrey

Independent (UK)

Kappel’s astounding performance constantly draws the film’s energy back to her in a way that ensures the audience is never in doubt of Linnea’s own agency, even in her most vulnerable moments.

Rated: 4/5

Jun 16, 2022

Full Review

Amy Smith

InSession Film

This is definitely not going to be a film for everyone, and it is hard to fully recommend it without knowing what boundaries people have. It is such a tough watch, but one that I feel is necessary for those who can make it through.

Rated: A-

Mar 1, 2024

Full Review

Nuha Hassan

Nuha Hassan

Thyberg is a fearless director for not shying away from the story and her boldness to show the harrowing experience in the adult film industry.

Sep 4, 2023

Full Review

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Cinema Crazed

A warts and all look at an industry glorified by many.

May 10, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

Ninja Thyberg's debut feature film Pleasure is a journey into the Los Angeles porn industry through the lens of newcomer Bella Cherry (Sofia Kappel). Strong, self-confident and determined, Bella embarks on a mission to become the best at any cost.

Director: Ninja Thyberg
Producer: Pape Boye, Violaine Pichon
Screenwriter: Ninja Thyberg, Peter Modestij
Distributor: NEON
Production Co: Swedish Film Institute, Nordisk Film & TV-Fond, Sveriges Television, Film Fund of the Netherlands, Flamboyance Films, Film i Väst, Netherlands Film Production Incentive, Plattform Produktion, Lemming Film, Grand Slam Film Production, Logical Pictures
Rating: R (Pervasive Drug Use|Graphic Nudity|Strong Graphic Sexual Dialogue|Pervasive Language|Sexual Violence|Strong Graphic Sexual Content)
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): May 13, 2022, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA): $52.3K
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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