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IMDbPro

Pleasure

  • 2021
  • 16 avec avertissement
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
25K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
3,141
710
Sofia Kappel in Pleasure (2021)
Bella Cherry arrives in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an adult film star, but she soon learns that fame won't come easy as she harnesses her ambition and cunning to rise to the top of this mesmerizing and singular world.
Play trailer2:08
3 Videos
99+ Photos
Drama

Bella Cherry arrives in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an adult film star, but she soon learns that fame won't come easy as she harnesses her ambition and cunning to rise to the top of ... Read allBella Cherry arrives in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an adult film star, but she soon learns that fame won't come easy as she harnesses her ambition and cunning to rise to the top of this mesmerizing and singular world.Bella Cherry arrives in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an adult film star, but she soon learns that fame won't come easy as she harnesses her ambition and cunning to rise to the top of this mesmerizing and singular world.

  • Director
    • Ninja Thyberg
  • Writers
    • Ninja Thyberg
    • Peter Modestij
  • Stars
    • Sofia Kappel
    • Zelda Morrison
    • Evelyn Claire
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    25K
    YOUR RATING
    POPULARITY
    3,141
    710
    • Director
      • Ninja Thyberg
    • Writers
      • Ninja Thyberg
      • Peter Modestij
    • Stars
      • Sofia Kappel
      • Zelda Morrison
      • Evelyn Claire
    • 101User reviews
    • 125Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 10 wins & 13 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:08
    Official Trailer
    Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Trailer
    Trailer
    Trailer 1:31
    Trailer
    Pleasure
    Trailer 2:08
    Pleasure

    Photos124

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    + 121
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    Top cast60

    Edit
    Sofia Kappel
    Sofia Kappel
    • Bella
    Zelda Morrison
    • Joy
    • (as Revika Reustle)
    Evelyn Claire
    Evelyn Claire
    • Ava
    Chris Cock
    Chris Cock
    • Bear
    Dana DeArmond
    Dana DeArmond
    • Ashley
    Kendra Spade
    Kendra Spade
    • Kimberly
    Jason Toler
    Jason Toler
    • Mike
    Mark Spiegler
    • Mark Spiegler
    Lucy Hart
    Lucy Hart
    • Caesar
    • (as Lance Hart)
    John Strong
    John Strong
    • Brian
    Reza Azar
    • Joe
    Aiden Starr
    Aiden Starr
    • Aiden Starr
    Small Hands
    • Dex
    • (as Aaron Thompson)
    Axel Braun
    Axel Braun
    • Axel Braun
    Bill Bailey
    Bill Bailey
    • Adam
    Derrick Pierce
    Derrick Pierce
    • Chris
    • (as Dee Dupra)
    Nathan Bronson
    • Dan
    Aramis Sartorio
    Aramis Sartorio
    • Mike (director)
    • Director
      • Ninja Thyberg
    • Writers
      • Ninja Thyberg
      • Peter Modestij
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews101

    6.325.1K
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    Featured reviews

    7cotta002-318-865119

    Realistic portrayal of the US porn industry

    A girl from Sweden decides she wants to make it in the LA porn scene and become a star.

    The movie starts with her landing in LAX airport and subsequently being housed in a rental for girls in the porn industry (a common practice).

    The movie holds no punches as it shows the way an adult performer becomes a commodity and how time is money.

    A few sympathetic characters however most are shallow and some are cruel.

    This movie does not hold back and is pretty much accurate in how the porn business is.

    She has to decide whether to roll with it or to take a stand on principles, oh how a day can change one's mind.

    Some cameos by real porn stars and crew, actors were great especially the lead.

    Definitely one to see.
    5jfgibson73

    Average drama with a few extreme moments

    I didn't think this story was all that compelling or satisfyingly told. There were some details that were memorable, but I really didn't get invested in where it was going. I will agree that the lead actress did an amazing job, and most everyone else brought a realism to their roles, especially since they work in the adult film industry in real life. But I didn't feel like there was much connection between the scenes. Yes, the overall goal of the main character remains consistent, but I didn't feel like we were shown what motivated her to make the specific choices she did much of the time. The effect is that the story doesn't really progress and build believably. Even though it has an outstanding central performance, I felt this was a fairly average drama overall which happened to have a few scenes that were difficult to watch.
    6tccandler

    A stunning central performance from Sofia Kappel...

    The story of a 19-year-old Swedish beauty who makes her way to Hollywood in order to become the next big porn star. The film has rightly had its fair share of publicity, due to the graphic scenes featured throughout. However, that shock value soon wears thin, leaving a somewhat hollow tale of cold-hearted loneliness. Still, it earns a slim recommendation due to a stunning central performance from newcomer, Sofia Kappel.
    7Pjtaylor-96-138044

    What's your pleasure?

    'Pleasure (2021)' isn't exactly an enjoyable experience, and the irony of its title doesn't seem lost on writer-director Ninja Thyberg. This frank and unapologetic exploration of the Los Angeles porn industry almost feels like an exposé at times, with its naturalistic presentation granting it a fly-on-the-wall feel which makes its more shocking moments all the more upsetting. Indeed, there are a few scenes which are incredibly difficult to watch. The most notable of these is the filming of a rough and degrading three-way scene which our protagonist continues to consent to only because she has no other option - which, of course, means she doesn't consent at all. It stands in stark contrast to a similar scene shown just minutes earlier, the shooting of which has its star surrounded by people who make sure she's comfortable and genuinely feel as though they're concerned for her safety (it's no accident that a lot of these people are women). The picture constantly presents this push-pull between how the porn industry ought to work and how it actually does, remaining relatively neutral to the concept but condemning its execution. Having said that, the overwhelming feeling that this picture provokes is undeniably icky. If porn is something you're into, I can see this actually putting you off. Whether or not that is its intention is unclear, especially considering that the flick does go out of its way to include both the good and the bad parts of its protagonist's journey. Perhaps its goal is to be as realistic as possible, not necessarily impartial but not forceful in its implied assertions. I suppose this is how it manages to be both empathetic and non-judgemental towards the women who seek a career in porn and unsympathetic towards the men who take advantage of them. Though the feature isn't especially entertaining in the traditional sense (it certainly isn't fun), it's a consistently challenging and compelling affair that manages to be explicit enough to feel as though it's doing its taboo subject justice (and to be genuinely shocking at times) but not so explicit as to feel as though it's overly gratuitous or insensitive. Sofia Kappel delivers a bold, bracing debut performance (apparently, auditioning for the film was a way to push her out of her comfort zone) and the rest of its cast - which is mostly comprised of current or former porn performers, producers and directors - is surprisingly good, too. The flick doesn't feel exploitative at all, taking a fairly feminist approach to its material and always feeling like it has something to say. Everything we see is necessary in telling this tale, which is rare even for something that isn't dealing with a potentially tricky topic. It's funny how nobody blinks an eye when seeing someone's head get blown off in a movie, but almost everyone feels at least a little uncomfortable when someone takes their clothes off and starts having sex. This piece almost strives to make you uncomfortable because it wants you to face the realities of a pretty shady business. The interesting thing about it, though, is that it isn't the sex itself that gets under your skin. Sexual violence is presented as truly disgusting and upsetting, as it should be, but it's also presented as insidious and pervasive. It isn't something that just happens, it's something that's enabled and justified by those with the power to do so. It works its way into every industry one way or another, so it's naturally present in an industry that concerns itself almost solely with sex. The thing is, though, it shouldn't be. Sex work is work and everyone deserves to be and feel safe in their workplace. Tangent aside, this is a strong movie that's as engaging as it is off-putting. If you can handle it, it's worth a watch.
    7Stay_away_from_the_Metropol

    The most realistic depiction of the porn industry put to film, by far

    Ever since Evelyn Claire told me on set that she was being featured in an upcoming A24 film, I've been waiting for this one, so naturally I made an effort to go see it opening weekend. (I guess A24 dropped it at some point though - not sure why). Considering most of the pre-release press has been about the porn industry participants feeling "betrayed" or "led astray" by the production, I entered with "certain" expectations, I suppose.

    First, let me say that this is easily the most accurate portrayal of what it's like working in the porn industry that I have ever seen put to film, by far. Writer/director Ninja Thyberg obviously did her homework, because 2/3 of this movie just felt like my run-of-the-mill day at work (I've been an "adult film actor" for 13 years now) - the majority of the details were nailed, to a T. That deserves major accolades in itself. Of course, the viewing was a biased experience for me, by default, primarily at the movie's expense. For me personally, the majority of the central segments of the movie felt rather shallow and uninteresting, thematically, and in its actual events. After a strong opening, it began to wander into a rather empty direction from my perspective, but fortunately there is a character arc and thematic turn that gives the movie cautionary purpose in the last 45 minutes.

    On the subject of themes, I want to respond to the backlash coming from certain XXX industry folks by saying that I disagree about the movie making the industry look bad. Perhaps the film's greatest strength is that it does a great job of developing a display of what I've always seen as a looming truth: it's not the industry itself that destroys people who get involved, it's what the individual seeks from the industry. I've always thought that if someone gets into porn for the sole purpose of fame and/or money, with no passion for the actual sex acts, that is precisely how one may find themselves in a vapid black hole of loneliness or unhealthy practices. Overly competitive people have always rubbed me wrong, and this movie focuses precisely on how detrimental that can be. I'll never understand the need to be "the best" - just love what you do!

    This was a somewhat surreal viewing experience for me considering I "know" 80% of the cast, as well as in about half of the locations that the film took place in - that's a first with a mainstream film. I enjoyed watching all these acquaintances getting their chance to flex their acting chops in a somewhat different realm. Lead actress Sofia Kappel (one of the only cast members who's not actually in the porn industry) absolutely stole the show, delivering a brave, well-rounded, and pretty endearing performance, which gives the movie a lot of life and value it might not otherwise have. Ex-pornstar Zelda Morrison did a fantastic job building a realistic character throughout the film, as did fellow XXX talent Chris Cock. And, Evelyn Claire, who has always reminded me of young Jennifer Connelly, was the PERFECT casting choice for her very crucial role - she serves absolute FACE every single time she's on screen - she's stone cold.

    While I felt that the movie didn't have a lot of dynamic to it's pacing, and kind of lacked some necessary tension, I still think it's a very accomplished showcase of what performing in the industry is like for those curious to know. It's shot well and I enjoyed the direction of the music used. It is a VERY graphic film, hence the NOT RATED rating, so of course it's not for everyone! Plentiful erect penises and interpreted sex acts and cum! Not sure i'd ever watch it again, but, it stands out!

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Many of the cast members were current or former porn actors at the time, or were people associated in some way with the Los Angeles porn industry. Writer-director Ninja Thyberg met many of them during the research and writing period and told interviewers many of them were excellent improvisational actors.
    • Goofs
      When Bella is getting a ride home from the shoot, she is sitting in the passenger seat with one knee up. In the view through the windshield, she is seated normally with no knee in sight.
    • Quotes

      Joy: Why aren't you like doing something better with your life and trying to be a singer?

      Bella: I just love cock.

    • Crazy credits
      Zelda Morrison is credited as Revika Anne Reustle in the opening credits and as Revika Reustle in the end credits.
    • Alternate versions
      The Amazon Prime version (or R-rated cut) runs 103 minutes: five minutes are cut with many other scenes reframed, removing the most explicit material including any visible erections, ejaculation, or close-ups of vulvas.
    • Connections
      Featured in Amanda the Jedi Show: This Movie Saved My Life (and the one's that almost ruined it): Best and Worst of 2022 (2023)
    • Soundtracks
      Happy Birthday
      (uncredited)

      Written by Mildred J. Hill and Patty S. Hill

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    FAQ

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    • How can we go about seeing or streaming this movie?
    • Where can I watch this movie? I checked the A24 website couldn't find any info about the movie.

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 20, 2021 (France)
    • Countries of origin
      • Sweden
      • Netherlands
      • France
      • United States
      • Denmark
    • Languages
      • English
      • Swedish
    • Also known as
      • Насолода
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA(location)
    • Production companies
      • Plattform Produktion
      • Film i Väst
      • Sveriges Television (SVT)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • SEK 19,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $106,789
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $16,368
      • May 15, 2022
    • Gross worldwide
      • $393,824
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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