Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Threequel about unlikable couple has graphic sex, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 18+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Next 365 Days
What's the Story?
The NEXT 365 DAYS takes off where 365 Days and 365 Days: This Day left off. Laura (Anna Maria Sieklucka), the woman kidnapped back in movie No. 1 by brooding misogynist rapist gangster Massimo (Michele Morrone), is now Massimo's wife. As in the previous films, she drinks a lot of alcohol with her Polish bestie Olga (Magdalena Lamparska), parties at discos, has somehow created a successful fashion brand through almost no effort, and is now shell-shocked from the violent turn of the first sequel, when she was shot and suffered a miscarriage. She's still dreaming about another man who deceived her, Nacho (Simone Sussina), a surfing champ who is also a son of a rival Italian gangster family. The gist of the current plot is that Laura loves one man who kidnapped her and another who was part of a plot to kill the husband. Will Laura seek therapy for her bad taste in men? Will Massimo kill her for cheating? Will she divorce Massimo and couple up with the deceptive Nacho? It takes 112 minutes to get to that final question, and it's not even answered, suggesting another installment is soon to follow.
Is It Any Good?
As with the series' earlier movies, in The Next 365 Days no one associated with the production has made any discernible effort to render either Massimo or Laura any nicer, more likable, or palatable. At least we no longer have to contend with the secret evil twin who bit the dust in installment No. 2. It feels as if the steadfast directors and writers on this dopey franchise have completely dispensed with such pesky production problems as plot and character depth for this latest sequel. And if the sex scenes were recycled from the last 365er, no one would know. For those hoping to enjoy the simulated sex, surely more satisfying watching experiences are available.
Likewise, if you're looking for knockout acting or revealing character studies, this will more than disappoint. The insipid story is matched by a numbing rock with equally insipid lyrics: "Save me from the shadows, they want to eat my soul." It's all part of an uncomplicated formula: great-looking people in varying stages of undress set against beautiful scenery, wrapped in the trappings of conspicuous consumption and wealth. Luxury suites, expensive cars, clothes, vast spreads of gourmet foods, and alcohol-soaked lead characters with a penchant for masochism signal the dual theme of this combo genre: problems of the rich and criminal and wretched excess.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the fact that everyone keeps forgetting Laura and Massimo became a couple after he kidnapped her. Why does no one talk about this when marital problems arise?
What likable or admirable qualities (if any) do Massimo and Laura have?
This is the third in the series. Do you think this story and these characters merit the fourth edition that this one seems to anticipate? Why, or why not?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 19, 2022
- Cast : Anna-Maria Sieklucka , Michele Morrone , Simone Sussina
- Directors : Barbara Bialowas , Barbara Bialowas. Tomasz Mandes
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : August 28, 2022
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