Watch Preaching to the Perverted

Preaching to the Perverted is a British film from 1997, directed by Stuart Urban. The movie is a witty and satirical look at the underground fetish scene in London, and focuses on the story of a government official who is sent to infiltrate and shut down a sex club that has been operating in secret. The film follows the character of Peter (Christien Anholt), a young and ambitious government official who is tasked with investigating a secretive club called The House of Thwax - an exclusive club catering to people with extreme sexual preferences. The club is run by a powerful dominatrix called Tanya Cheex (played by Guinevere Turner), and is frequented by a group of unusual and often shocking characters.

Peter's investigation into The House of Thwax quickly leads him into the heart of the underground fetish scene in London, where he meets a variety of different people living what many might consider to be alternative lifestyles. He quickly becomes embroiled in a world of bondage, domination, and sadomasochism, and begins to question his own beliefs and values in the process.

Along the way, Peter meets a number of memorable characters, including the club's eccentric owner, Tanya Cheex, who is determined to fight for her right to continue running her club; and William (Tom Bell), a former soldier who has become a devout member of the club and sees it as a way to express his own personal freedom.

As Peter delves deeper into the world of The House of Thwax, he begins to realise that the people he is working to bring down are not the sick and depraved individuals he was led to believe, but rather people who have found a way to explore their own sexuality and desires in a way that is safe and consensual. He comes to see that the people he has been judging are actually just like him - seeking to find their own path to happiness, love, and fulfilment.

Throughout the film, the audience is taken on a journey through the world of the underground fetish scene, and given a glimpse into a world that is often shrouded in secrecy and taboo. The filmmakers take a clever and humorous approach to the subject matter, using the character of Peter as a means to highlight the ridiculousness of the official attitudes towards the club and the people involved in it.

The performances throughout the film are strong, with Guinevere Turner and Christien Anholt both delivering standout performances as Tanya Cheex and Peter, respectively. Tom Bell also delivers a compelling and nuanced portrayal of William, a veteran struggling to come to terms with the world he has found himself in.

Overall, Preaching to the Perverted is a compelling and entertaining look at a world that is often misunderstood and maligned. The film succeeds in portraying the characters in a sympathetic and honest way, whilst also providing a critique of the often-overbearing attitudes of government officials towards issues of personal freedom and expression.

Preaching to the Perverted is a 1997 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.8.