Is 'Fifty Shades Darker' Really Darker?

The first trailer for Fifty Shades Darker, the sequel to last year's Fifty Shades of Grey, dropped this week, and the internet loves it. But is it really, as the film's title promises, a darker movie than its edgy, sexy predecessor? From hints in the trailer, the answer depends on your definition of "dark."

The first film, as well as the series of books on which it was based, drew attention for its kinky relationship between Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, in which the couple explored the power dynamic of dominance and submission. In the new trailer, Christian stills gives Anastasia presents and helicopter rides - and the two of them wear masks in at least one scene - but aside from that, the trailer dispenses with the dominance/submission idea entirely. Anastasia seems to be clearly in control of things, and at one point, she even says, "This time, no rules, no punishments."

There are suggestions of intrigue, though. A woman from Christian's past pops up - in a way that seems more The Conjuring than Fifty Shades of Grey - and it looks like Christian might have some competition for Anastasia's attention. There's also a suggestion of trouble with the helicopter, but it's pretty much certain that that will turn out all right.

So, the trailer makes it look as if Fifty Shades Darker is actually considerably lighter than its predecessor, in that it seems to have been scrubbed of the first film's kinkiness. If, however, you find the surfacing of past-relationship baggage to be compellingly dark, the new film just might deliver.