The Meteoric Rise of “Fair Play” on Netflix
It’s not every day that a movie takes the Netflix charts by storm, but “Fair Play” has done just that. Since its release on October 6, the film has climbed its way to the top of the most-streamed movies list. Starring Phoebe Dynevor as Emily and Alden Ehrenreich as Luke, the movie delves into the murky waters of corporate ambition and personal relationships. Critics have lauded its compelling narrative and strong characters, propelling it to one of the highest Rotten Tomato scores of 2023. But there’s a catch.
“Since releasing for streaming on October 6, Fair Play has hit number one on the list of the most-streamed movies on Netflix.”
The Mislabeling Fiasco: Not Your Typical Erotic Thriller
The marketing team behind “Fair Play” has been under fire for categorizing the movie as an “erotic thriller.” While the film does explore the sexual dynamics between Emily and Luke, critics and audiences alike argue that the term is misleading. The sexual relationship in the movie serves more as a conduit for Luke’s manipulation rather than an element designed to titillate the audience.
“The marketing team mislabeled Fair Play when they called it an erotic thriller.”
In a shocking turn of events, the movie takes a dark turn towards the end, with Luke ignoring Emily’s consent, making it anything but erotic. It’s a moment that has led many to question the film’s initial branding.
“In Fair Play’s ending, Luke ignores Emily’s consent entirely and rapes her. That’s not erotic; it’s traumatizing.”
The Thriller Element: A Missing Puzzle Piece
Labeling “Fair Play” as a thriller also seems to be a stretch. While the movie does delve into psychological manipulation, it lacks the high-stakes suspense and plot twists commonly associated with the thriller genre. There are no red herrings, unreliable narrators, or heists to keep the audience on the edge of their seats. Instead, the film offers a more nuanced, low-level suspense that focuses on the characters’ personal motivations.
“Fair Play is missing the building blocks of a thriller movie, so it doesn’t belong in this genre.”
What’s in a Genre? The Real Identity of “Fair Play”
So, if “Fair Play” isn’t an erotic thriller, what is it? The movie’s core elements suggest it belongs in the drama category, specifically focusing on conflict, tension, and a classic story arc. But even within the realm of drama, there are subcategories to consider.
The film could be seen as a crime drama due to the involvement of rape and the supervisor-employee relationship. However, since the law doesn’t play a significant role in the story, this categorization falls short. The psychological elements of manipulation and power dynamics could place it in the psychological drama subgenre. Yet, the most fitting description might be a workplace drama, akin to films like “The Assistant” or “Corporate,” which delve into high-tension environments and conflicts between coworkers.
