Netflix subscribers have just days remaining to catch a controversial film trilogy inspired by steamy romantic literature.
The streaming giant will be axing Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed from its catalogue this Thursday, July 31.
Adapted from E. L. James’s chart-topping novels, the erotic drama catapulted Jamie Dornan into the spotlight. The narrative centres on the intimate relationship between university graduate Anastasia Steele (portrayed by Dakota Johnson) and young businessman Christian Grey (Dornan).
As their romance develops, Christian exposes Anastasia to BDSM practices, reports the Mirror. While intimacy dominates the trilogy, the narrative also explores compelling themes including healing from psychological wounds.
When it premiered in 2015, the adult-rated series garnered scathing reviews. Rotten Tomatoes critics handed it a dismal 25% score, though viewers were slightly kinder with a 41% rating.
Critics branded the inaugural film as delivering “less than satisfying experience,” yet this didn’t halt the franchise’s continuation.
The subsequent instalments, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, arrived in 2017 and 2018 respectively. They faced equally harsh criticism from reviewers.
Nevertheless, certain cinema-goers rushed to champion the series. “It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s a little mischievous, it’s got a story line… I dunno why people are so harsh,” commented one IMDb reviewer.
The same fan enthused: “I watch films to relax and switch off. It left a smile on my face at the end maybe I’m a romantic at heart, who knows. I guess I liked the ultimate love conquers all message.”
Another succinctly expressed their adoration: “Plain and simple, I loved all of the series.. beyond the pale sensuality with this undertone of wanting to find love.. I loved it.”
Book blogger ‘Natasha is a Book Junkie’ didn’t hold back praise in her review: “It [Fifty Shades of Grey] pulled off the almost impossible task of faithfully bringing these fictional characters to life and making them even more psychologically layered and three-dimensional than they might have been in the first place, turning my overall viewing experience into an absolute thrill start to finish.”
The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy is streaming now on Netflix.