Shubhabrata Dutta
Open relationships are a sensitive topic, but they are prevalent in today’s society. While many consider it wrong, for some, it’s a matter of choice, a fundamental right, while for others, it is a possibility that can be discussed and opted for if required. This divided/subjective nature of an open relationship has led writers and filmmakers to use it as a theme in films that explore the complex nature of human relationships from different angles. Keeping this in mind, we bring you the best movies on open relationships available on Netflix, Prime, Hulu, and Max.
10. Wobble Palace (2018)
Directed by Eugene Kotlyarenko, ‘Wobble Palace’ is an underrated gem that explores a millennial romance. It centers on a couple, Jane (Dasha Nekrasova) and Eugene (Eugene Kotlyarenko), who, on the verge of break-up, agree to tread the turbulent path of an open relationship. Days before Halloween, the two set off on their respective explorations, filled with misadventures, sexual escapades, and emotional scars. Will all this bring Jane and Eugene back together stronger?
The film uses different filmmaking techniques to showcase the millennial experience filled to the brim, if not overflowing, with identity crises, distrust, lust, and self-loathing. In this way, ‘Wobble Palace’ becomes a psychedelic experience that is unabashed and upfront. It can be watched on Prime.
9. Fling (2008)
Directed by John Stewart Muller, ‘Fling’ follows Mason (Steve Sandvoss) and Sam (Courtney Ford), a lovely couple who, however, decide to explore an open relationship after encountering a newfound attraction at a wedding. Mason meets his best friend’s young sister, Olivia (Shoshana Bush), while Sam meets his ex-boyfriend, James (Brandon Routh). Complex issues naturally arise, and despite not being able to make the viewers break their heads about the ramifications, ‘Fling’ does manage to engage you and make you wait till the end to see how where Mason and Sam end up. You can watch the film on Prime.
8. Open Marriage (2017)
The Sam Irvin directorial follows Becca (Nikki Leigh) and Ron (Tilky Jones), who incorporate another couple, Mindy (Kelly Dowdle) and Max (Jason Tobias), into their open relationship to save their struggling marriage. However, as they get involved with the other partner, desire becomes obsession, trust becomes betrayal, envy gives way to rage, and rage can make us do bad things. We also have a stranger who gets involved in their arrangement and applies a personalized set of rules. To find out what they are, you can watch ‘Open Marriage’ on Prime.
7. Happy Ending (2023)
In Joosje Duk’s ‘Happy Ending,’ a couple decides to spice up their sex life by adding a third party, a woman. Luna (Gaite Jansen) has been faking orgasms for almost a year now, and this cannot go on, neither for her nor for her partner, Mink (Martijn Lakemeier). So, they bring a woman named Eve (Joy Delima) into their circle to try and make things more authentically pleasurable. Will an open relationship serve as the ointment for the issues the couple is facing in bed and otherwise? ‘Happy Ending’ addresses the different aspects of modern relationships, including trust, insecurities, and desires, and gives us a mature and steamy binge-watchable rom-com. You can watch it on Netflix.
6. Anne+ (2021)
Directed by Valerie Bisscheroux, ‘Anne+’ is a Dutch drama that is a continuation of the 2018 TV series of the same name. The film is set in Amsterdam and follows 20-something aspiring writer Anne (Hanna van Vliet), who is about to move back with her girlfriend Sara (Jouman Fattal). They had made a deal before parting that as long as they were away from each other, they could see other people if both were comfortable with it. In other words, they could have an open relationship.
When Anne’s publisher rejects the draft of her first novel, she is forced to reconsider the story she wants to tell the world. While brainstorming, she meets Lou (Thorn De Vries), a non-binary drag king, who makes her realize what she is missing and the choices and changes she needs to make to get what she wants. ‘Anne+’ is a feel-good coming-of-age flick that does a good job summing up the emotions that any 20-something person feels while figuring out life’s choices. You can watch the queer drama on Netflix.
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5. Deep Water (2022)
Directed by Adrian Lyne (‘Lolita,’ ‘Fatal Attraction,’ ‘Jacob’s Ladder’), ‘Deep Water’ explores an open relationship gone wrong. The film centers on Vic (Ben Affleck) and Melinda (Ana de Armas), who have resorted to letting the latter sleep with other men to keep their marriage intact just for the sake of their daughter. While Melinda makes her chance count by collecting lovers, Vic’s jealousy silently brews. Then, things take a dark turn after the dead body of one of Melinda’s lovers is discovered. Did Vic kill the guy? Was the crime a result of the open relationship arrangement or something else? ‘Deep Water’ is based on the 1957 eponymous novel by Patricia Highsmith. While not one of Lyne’s best works, the film does offer something new to erotic thriller enthusiasts. You can watch it on Hulu.
4. There Is No I in Threesome (2021)
Filmmaker Jan Oliver Lucks Initially developed the project to be a documentary that explores and tests an open relationship (including a polyamorous one) with his then-fiancée, Zoe, with whom he got engaged in 2015. However, things soon got complicated, and they had to cancel their engagement. With Lucks slowly going into depression, Zoe having left with half of the footage recorded, he frantically searches for a way to complete his dream project that gave him a reality check on his sex life and believes will help people understand an open relationships better. Fortunately, he found a way to complete the project by turning it into a feature film. ‘There Is No I in Threesome’ is a deeply intimate drama with a twist that is revealed in its final segment. To find out what that is, you can watch the film on Max.
3. Mark, Mary & Some Other People (2021)
Directed by Hannah Marks, ‘Mark, Mary & Some Other People’ follows slacker Mark (Ben Rosenfield) and voiceover artist Mary (Hayley Law), who hit it off in a sweet manner and have a blissful time as a couple. However, when Mary’s sister reminds her of the monotony of monogamy, reminding her to take action so as to avoid becoming another rusty adult. Thus, she suggests to Mark the possibility of an open relationship. While Mark doesn’t want Mary to be with anyone, they go for it after setting a handful of rules. While it is made clear that their decision is headed towards disaster, ‘Mark, Mary & Some Other People’ offers a frisky commentary on the nature of modern love and its attitude toward sex, which results in inner turmoil within both Mark and Mary due to their carnal exploits. Things get more and more complex, though showcased in a simple manner underscored by the brilliant performances of Rosenfield and Law, until there comes a time for Mark and Mary to face each other. You can watch ‘Mark, Mary & Some Other People’ on Hulu.
2. Permission (2017)
Brian Crano’s rom-com ‘Permission’ centers on a lovely couple, Anna (Rebecca Hall) and Will (Dan Stevens), who have been together for 10 years, only to be mocked by Anna’s brother and his boyfriend for not trying to find out what they are missing (“in bed”). While the question was only out of fun, Anna and Will take it seriously and decide to open up their relationship. What makes ‘Permission’ unique is its open-ended nature that doesn’t take sides. It doesn’t say that monogamy is bad or monogamy is good but offers us the views of the writers (via the characters) and lets us form our opinions on the matter. To have your own opinion, you can watch the film on Prime.
1. She’s Gotta Have It (1986)
Written, produced, and directed by Spike Lee in his feature film debut, ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ earned him the Award of the Youth at the 1986 Cannes Film Festival. The film centers on Nola Darling (Tracy Camilla Johns), a “sexually charged” graphic artist whose sex life has three branches, namely Greer Childs (John Canada Terrell), Jamie Overstreet (Tommy Redmond), and Mars Blackmon (Lee), each of whom adds his own ingredients to Nola’s “diet.” How she handles them is Spike’s powerful social commentary on African American women and their struggle in American society in the 1980s and a phenomenon of liberation, especially sexual. You can watch ‘She’s Gotta Have It’ on Netflix.
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