--- title: "In the Realm of the Senses: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/in-the-realm-of-the-senses/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/in-the-realm-of-the-senses" critics_score: 69 critics_reviews: 12 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # In the Realm of the Senses (1976): what the critics said Critics' score 69 from 12 reviews: 6 positive, 5 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics take the film seriously and lean positive. The praise gathers around Ōshima’s direction: the careful camerawork that keeps the couple’s sexual exploration disturbing rather than titillating, the exquisite composition, and a claustrophobic, almost ritual handling of erotic obsession. Several reviews treat it as a study of consuming desire and note that the sex scenes grow more complex as the relationship turns desperate. More than one critic admits the hardcore content makes a level-headed judgement harder than it should be. The reservations cluster on the same material. The Independent finds it difficult and often grim while admiring the artistry, and Eye for Film concedes the repetition may drive some viewers away. The lone negative review, in The Skinny, calls it tedious, says the shock wears off quickly, and argues the endless sex scenes and misogynistic fantasies leave no room for story or character. Three of the twelve reviews are only partly readable, which thins the middle of the spread. ## Empire — David Parkinson Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 29 July 2009. The critic calls the film powerful, stylish and impressive, while noting its disturbing subject matter. They praise its sensuality and sensitivity alongside its documentary-like portrayal of the lovers’ increasingly desperate relationship. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/ai-corrida-realm-senses-review/) ## Radio Times — David Parkinson Rating 4/5. Parkinson presents the film as a complex study of gender, status and oppression. He notes that its hardcore eroticism can obstruct a considered assessment. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-5drnb0/in-the-realm-of-the-senses/) ## Slant Magazine — Eric Henderson Rating 4/5. 27 April 2009. Henderson praises the film’s deliberate, provocative treatment of sexuality and its artistic ambitions. He especially applauds Criterion’s restoration, which brings out natural skin tones and vivid colors. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/dvd/in-the-realm-of-the-senses-bd/) ## The AV Club — Scott Tobias Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 27 May 2009. Tobias finds both films keenly observant studies of consuming desire and its consequences. He singles out the complexity and progression of the sex scenes in *In The Realm Of The Senses*. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/in-the-realm-of-the-senses-empire-of-passion-1798206283) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 3 November 2000. The critic regards the film as a powerful, unusually serious classic that everyone should see once. They praise its claustrophobic, ritualistic portrayal of erotic obsession and self-abasement. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,391880,00.html) ## Evening Standard Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic finds the film still fresh, despite its abrasive qualities. The grittiness is singled out as making viewers wince well before the infamous climax. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/grittiness-to-make-you-wince-in-realm-of-the-senses-7416297.html) ## Film Comment — Tony Rayns Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). Festival review. The page identifies this as Tony Rayns's review, but the review's verdict is not visible. No specific praise or complaint can be established from the available text. [Read the review](https://www.filmcomment.com/article/in-the-realm-of-the-senses-review/) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 18 July 1977. The headline signals a review, but the article text is inaccessible, so its verdict cannot be established. No specific praise or complaint can be verified. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1977/07/18/archives/in-realm-of-the-senses-is-rated-w-for-why.html) ## Time Out Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 15 March 2012. The available page text does not reveal the critic’s verdict. Its description singles out the film’s explicit sex scenes and their impact when it was released. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/newyork/film/in-the-realm-of-the-senses-1) ## The Independent — Ben Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 4 November 2011. The critic finds the film difficult and often grim, but ultimately admires its artistry. The exquisite composition is singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/dvd-in-the-realm-of-the-senses-18-6256683.html) ## Eye for Film — David Graham Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 October 2011. Graham regards the film as a powerful, haunting work of transgressive cinema, though its explicitness and repetitive perversity may alienate some viewers. He praises Ōshima’s careful camerawork for making the couple’s sexual exploration disturbing without turning it into titillation. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/in-the-realm-of-the-senses-film-review-by-david-graham) ## The Skinny — Scott McKellar Rating ★★. 24 October 2011. The critic finds the film tedious and says its shock value fades quickly. He singles out the endless sex scenes and misogynistic fantasies as crowding out any meaningful story or character development. [Read the review](https://www.theskinny.co.uk/film/dvd-reviews/in-the-realm-of-the-senses) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/in-the-realm-of-the-senses.md