“Chloe”, 2009
Director: Atom Egoyan
Directed by Atom Egoyan, this erotic thriller revolves around a doctor who, suspecting her husband of infidelity, hires an escort to test his loyalty. Things take a dramatic turn as the relationships between all parties involved become increasingly complicated.
Starring: Julianne Moore, Liam Neeson, Amanda Seyfried, Max Thieriot, R.H. Thomson, Nina Dobrev, Mishu Vellani, Julie Khaner, Laura de Carteret, Natalie Lisinska;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 96 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “Chloe” on the website imdb.com
“Unfaithful”, 2002
Director: Adrian Lyne
This film, directed by Adrian Lyne, follows the story of a suburban housewife who engages in an affair, leading her husband down a path of suspicion, discovery, and ultimately, a dramatic and unexpected conclusion. It's a deep dive into the consequences of marital betrayal.
Starring: Diane Lane, Richard Gere, Olivier Martinez, Zeljko Ivanek, Erik Per Sullivan, Michelle Monaghan, Gary Basaraba, Michael Emerson, Myra Lucretia Taylor, Chad Lowe;
Production year: 2002;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Unfaithful” on the website imdb.com
“Match Point”, 2005
Director: Woody Allen
Directed by Woody Allen, “Match Point” explores themes of lust, betrayal, and ambition. It follows a young tennis instructor who becomes involved with his best friend's fiancée and then his sister-in-law, leading to a network of deceit and a test of luck versus morality.
Starring: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Scarlett Johansson, Emily Mortimer, Brian Cox, Matthew Goode, Penelope Wilton, Ewen Bremner, James Nesbitt, Rupert Penry-Jones, Margaret Tyzack;
Production year: 2005;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
“Indecent Proposal”, 1993
Director: Adrian Lyne
A film directed by Adrian Lyne, in which a wealthy businessman offers a financially struggling couple one million dollars in exchange for one night with the wife. This proposition puts the couple's love and trust to the ultimate test, exploring the complexities of love, moral dilemmas, and the costs of decisions.
Starring: Robert Redford, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Seymour Cassel, Oliver Platt, Billy Bob Thornton, Rip Taylor, Billy Connolly, Joel Brooks, Pierre Epstein;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6;
More information about the film “Indecent Proposal” on the website imdb.com
“Eyes Wide Shut”, 1999
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this film stars Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a married couple thrust into a whirlwind of sexual and emotional trials after the wife admits to having sexual fantasies about another man. It's a haunting exploration of fidelity, secrecy, and human desire.
Starring: Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Sydney Pollack, Marie Richardson, Rade Šerbedžija, Todd Field, Vinessa Shaw, Sky Dumont, Fay Masterson, Leelee Sobieski;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 159 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Eyes Wide Shut” on the website imdb.com
“Fatal Attraction”, 1987
Director: Adrian Lyne
Another film by Adrian Lyne, “Fatal Attraction” follows a married man who has a weekend affair with a woman who refuses to allow it to end and becomes obsessively attached to him. The film is a harrowing look at the consequences of infidelity and the lengths to which obsession and revenge can be taken.
Starring: Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer, Ellen Latzen, Stuart Pankin, Ellen Foley, Fred Gwynne, Meg Mundy, Tom Brennan, Lois Smith;
Production year: 1987;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Fatal Attraction” on the website imdb.com
“Carnage”, 2011
Director: Roman Polanski
Directed by Roman Polanski, this dark comedy unfolds in real-time as two couples meet to discuss a fight between their sons. The conversation quickly escalates from civil to savagely revealing and humorous, touching upon themes of marriage fidelity and personal integrity amongst other social decorums.
Starring: Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz, John C. Reilly, Elvis Polanski, Eliot Berger, Joseph Rezwin, Nathan Rippy, Tanya Lopert, Julie Adams;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 80 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
These films provide a glimpse into the multifaceted nature of cuckoldry and its impact on relationships, showcasing a range of responses to betrayal and the complexities of human emotion and morality.
In conclusion, the range of films that explore the complex, often taboo theme of cuckoldry serve not only as a mirror reflecting society's evolving perceptions of fidelity, masculinity, and sexual politics but also as a medium through which the deepest human emotions and intricacies of interpersonal relationships are examined. These narratives, spanning genres from drama to dark comedy, invite viewers into the intimate corners of the human heart, challenging preconceived notions and stimulating profound reflections on trust, desire, and the nature of love itself. By delving into the psychological and emotional tumults that accompany cuckoldry, these films succeed in both captivating audiences and provoking thoughtful discussion on the often murky nuances of human intimacy, thus securing their place in the pantheon of cinema that dares to address the raw complexities of life.
