Compulsion (2016)
A novelist and a stranger are drawn into a perilous game of desire and manipulation at a sun-soaked Italian villa in this NC-17 psychological thriller.
Compulsion - Movie Information
- Original Title: Compulsion
- Release Year: 2016
- Directed by: Craig Goodwill
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller, Horror, Fantasy
- Age Rating (US): NC-17
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): November 19, 2016 (United States - NC-17), March 22, 2018 (South Korea - 18)
- Alternative Titles: Sadie (US), Sadie - Dunkle Begierde (DE), 爱欲圆舞曲 (HK)
- Production Companies: Fargo Film, 9.99 Films
- Production Countries: Canada, Italy, United Kingdom
Compulsion - Plot
Sadie—a young female novelist—and an enigmatic woman named Francesca, are enticed by an ex-lover to join him at his Italian villa for a weekend celebration being held to honor the release of Sadie's latest book. Once there, Sadie begins to fear his true intentions as she and Francesca become embroiled in a dangerous game of moral and sexual discovery.
Compulsion - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the tension unfold:
There are no rules
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Compulsion - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Craig Goodwill
Main Cast
- Lio Tipton
- Marta Gastini
- Jakob Cedergren
- Valentin Merlet
- Jan Bijvoet
- Magdalena Grochowska
- Anita Kravos
- Nina Seničar
- Leonardo Messerklinger
- Franco Barbero
Writers
- Brian Clark
Producers
- Craig Goodwill
- Brian Dreyfuss
- Peta-Megan Dunn
- Neil Dunn
- Mike Macari
Compulsion - FAQs
What is Compulsion (2016) about?
Compulsion follows Sadie, a young novelist, and a mysterious woman named Francesca who are lured to an Italian villa by an ex-lover for a weekend celebrating Sadie's new book. What begins as a literary gathering quickly spirals into a perilous, psychologically charged game of moral and sexual discovery.
Why does Compulsion carry an NC-17 rating?
Compulsion earned its NC-17 rating from the MPA due to explicit sexual content. The film explores themes of desire, manipulation, and transgression with unflinching candor, making it one of the rare mainstream releases to carry this rating rather than seeking cuts for a less restrictive classification.
Where can you watch Compulsion (2016) online?
You can rent or buy Compulsion on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. If you prefer free options, it's also available with ads on Fandango at Home Free and through the Plex Channel at no cost.
Is Compulsion based on a true story or novel?
Compulsion is not based on a true story. The screenplay was written by Brian Clark as an original work. The film draws on psychological thriller and erotic horror conventions rather than any specific real-world events, crafting a self-contained narrative set against the atmospheric backdrop of an Italian villa.
Who are the lead actors in Compulsion?
The film centers on Lio Tipton as Sadie and Marta Gastini as the enigmatic Francesca. Jakob Cedergren plays Alex, the ex-lover who draws them to his villa, while Jan Bijvoet appears in the unsettling role of Minos. Together they anchor the film's tense, morally ambiguous atmosphere.
What does the tagline 'There are no rules' mean?
The tagline 'There are no rules' speaks directly to the film's central tension: once Sadie and Francesca enter Alex's world, the familiar boundaries of consent, morality, and social convention dissolve. It signals that Compulsion is a film willing to push into uncomfortable, transgressive territory without a safety net.
What movies are similar to Compulsion (2016)?
If Compulsion's blend of psychological tension and dark desire appeals to you, check out Look Away (2018) and Nocebo (2022) for similarly unsettling genre fare. Dead of Winter (1987) and Blackwood (2014) also share that isolated, claustrophobic dread, while Attraction (2001) echoes the film's erotic thriller sensibility.
Where was Compulsion (2016) filmed?
Compulsion was filmed primarily in Italy, which provides the lush, sun-drenched villa setting central to the story's atmosphere. The production involved companies from Canada, Italy, and the United Kingdom, giving the film an international character that complements its cosmopolitan cast and European sensibility.
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