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Poster for The Duke of Burgundy

The Duke of Burgundy

2014 · 1h 44m · UNRATED Drama, Mystery, Romance
Directed by Peter Strickland

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Overview

Day in and day out, lovers Cynthia and Evelyn enact an elaborate sadomasochistic fantasy as mistress and maid. But as their ritual of domination and submission begins to turn stale, Cynthia yearns for something more conventional, while Evelyn tries to push their taboos even further.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
93%
Tomatometer
Fresh

[Peter Strickland's] new movie has more going on than cinematic mind games.

J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader
Fresh

There's voyeurism, fetishism, bondage, lingerie and high-flown naughtiness galore, but that's hardly the movie's most conspicuous achievement.

Geoff Pevere, Globe and Mail
Fresh

The Duke of Burgundy is no mere style exercise or slavish homage. Strickland finds both humour and pathos in the situation of Cynthia and Evelyn, who are every bit as trapped as the insects they collect and catalogue.

Peter Howell, Toronto Star
Fresh

This is voyeurism of a brilliant, deeply refined order. If the MPAA had a shot at rating Strickland's fantasy, they would try to condemn it without being able to explain why.

Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
Fresh

A tiny, tasteful throwback to more innocent times, when actresses with exotic names would strip off their costumes while embracing far-fetched scenarios - and one another.

Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

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