Watch The Little Death

The Little Death is a dramatic movie that delves into the various sexual kinks, desires and fetishes of different couples or individuals living in the same suburban locale. It is an Australian film directed by Josh Lawson and has a total duration of 97 minutes. The movie opens with a scene of Paula and Dan, a couple in their thirties who are seeking the help of a sex therapist because they have trouble climaxing during intercourse. While Paula is embarrassed to share her fantasies, Dan opens up about his desire for suffocation or 'autoerotic asphyxiation'. As the therapy session is ongoing, the therapist's own personal life and sexual desires are revealed when her husband comes in and begins to touch her inappropriately.

Similarly, the movie swerves from one couple to another, portraying their unique insights into the world of sex, love and relationship. Maeve and Paul, who are married and have kids, explore their fantasy foot fetish while practicing BDSM roles. Monica and Sam are a young couple who want to experiment with role-playing, but have trouble agreeing on each other's fantasies. Rowena and Richard are next-door neighbors who lead a mostly silent and unsatisfactory life, except for the occasional and strange noises coming from the apartment opposite them.

As the movie progresses, the interconnected lives of these couples begin to intertwine, overlapping and interlacing in unexpected ways. The unifying thread becomes how each character manages and copes with the myriad of human desires that drive their behavior.

The Little Death is a darkly comic and thought-provoking film that explores the taboo subject of sexual fantasies and how they impact people's lives. The film's use of humor, at times, disarms some of those behavioral impulses from being too deep and too uncomfortable. However, it can sometimes misfire, making the viewer feel uneasy at the theme being portrayed. The movie does not come across as a comprehensive exploration of the subject. Instead, it presents a glimpse of different ways people experience their sexuality and how they reveal them to their partners.

The performances of the cast members, especially the female portrays the subtleties and complexities of their characters with intelligent and intuitive acumen. Cynthia Barrett, who plays the therapist's character, showcases her multifaceted experience and her awareness of the various issues her clients bring. Jerilynn Bedingfield portrays Maeve as a woman who is concerned about maintaining a balance between her role as a mother and her sexual preferences. Bruce Bennett, portraying Richard, skilfully plays the character's almost bemused conveyance of the complex scenario, whilst still remaining sentimental.

The cinematography, lightening, and sequences blend seamlessly into the storytelling of the film. The background score and the sound design largely serve the purpose of highlighting the various comedic and dramatic moments of the film. It does an excellent job, without being too distracting or taking the viewer out of the story.

In summary, The Little Death is a movie that is not for everyone, especially those who may be offended by a different or non-traditional exploration of sex and sexuality. The movie is, however, an assessment of the complexity of human sexuality and behavior, the ultimate drive that pleases us and repels us. It is a movie that can make the viewer laugh, cringe, or even feel sad, but it never makes them bored.

The Little Death is a 2010 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 15 minutes.