
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
365 Days
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sex domination fantasy is graphic and violent.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
365 Days
Community Reviews
Based on 34 parent reviews
18 and up
Report this review
Disgusting mockery of fun
Report this review
What's the Story?
In 365 DAYS, Massimo (Michele Morrone, a model, actor, and singer who contributed songs to the soundtrack) is a tall, handsome, and brooding Sicilian gangster whose father was shot in front of his eyes. At that moment, he glimpsed Laura (Anna Maria Sieklucka) and became obsessed with finding her and making her fall in love with him. When he locates her, instead of wooing her, he drugs and kidnaps her, imprisons her, and tells her she has 365 days to fall in love with him. If she doesn't, he will let her go. She struggles to escape and he violently stops her, at times putting his large hand gruffly around her neck to keep her from running. He ominously warns her, "Don't provoke me," and notes that he doesn't tolerate "disobedience," suggesting that in his view, a kidnap victim ought to buckle to his orders and desires. At the same time, he "gallantly" promises never to do anything sexual without her permission, and then puts his hand on her breast and later slips his hand down her pants while she's tied up. Laura is a bundle of contradictions herself, walking around naked to tease him but also adamantly resistant to his advances. She tries to escape but is thwarted by bodyguards and police on the take. Eventually, she gives in to her lust for the towering Massimo, suggesting that, for all their protestations, women just want to be dominated by gruff alpha males. The film ends abruptly with a planned, unexplained murder, paving the way for a sequel.
Is It Any Good?
Although weirdly entertaining in its own sleazy way, this is an adolescent boy's dream about what women want, a sexual fantasy to "prove" that women who say "no" really mean "yes." Poorly written and largely ridiculous in its attempt to portray human character (and in its blatant rip-off of Fifty Shades of Grey and nod to Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew), 365 Days will nevertheless titillate those patient enough to wade through terrible dialogue and senseless plot to get to the erotica. Given that Netflix deems two minutes of watching time an official "view," it's possible that many are skipping to erotic scenes without watching the self-important rot in between.
The gangster seemingly proves his nobility when he promises he'll never do anything without Laura's permission, but then promptly puts one hand on her breast and the other around her neck as she tries to writhe away. Uh, perhaps it's time to revisit the definition of "permission"? Most extraordinary and blatantly misogynist are sympathetic nods by Massimo's friends to how difficult Laura is, as if experienced and knowing men of the world are often forced to tolerate temperamental women, ignoring completely that Laura's contrariness isn't a sign of diva tendencies, but rather the normal response of someone trying to run from her captor. That Laura flaunts her sexuality in front of Massimo might imply she's asserting her power, but it reads as if the movie believes women are teases who want to "succumb" to powerful men, providing ammunition for men who argue that women just want to be treated roughly and dominated. At least the 1993 film Indecent Proposal used money to incentivize a woman's sexual surrender to unwanted male attention rather than suggesting that women are turned on by domineering and brutal men who take what they want.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why 365 Days has become so popular despite its less-than-stellar script, editing, plot, and direction. Do you think the depiction of pretty people having sex is enough to generate such popularity, or is something else at work?
Netflix subscribers in the United States have access to this film. Do you think it would be as popular if people had to go to the trouble of downloading and paying for it? Why or why not?
Do you think erotica has value? Do you think it's important that only adults have access to such materials? Why or why not?
Movie Details
- In theaters: February 7, 2020
- On DVD or streaming: June 7, 2020
- Cast: Michele Morrone , Anna Maria Sieklucka , Magdalena Lamparska
- Director: Barbara Bialowas. Tomasz Mandes
- Studio: Netflix
- Genre: Drama
- Run time: 114 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 18, 2023
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate