MovieChat Forums > Kept Woman (2015) Discussion > Can't get past...

Can't get past...

posted 10 years ago by OB-1-Irishman
2 replies | jump to latest

I keep dwelling on Jessica's situation. When she becomes resigned to her fate (for the time being), she is basically not fighting Simon anymore, presumably not fighting him even in the bedroom. Thank god that's implied and not shown. That's serious psychological horror in my book. That aspect of the movie is what elevates it above most other Lifetime movies.

On another point, for all of Simon's traditionalism about gender roles, he's essentially having sex (to him; what the women are experiencing is rape) outside of matrimony.

[–] Tesla-Lives 10 years ago

The psychological terror that goes with Jessica being abducted is what makes the movie great. The first girl, Robin, is in full Stockholm Syndrome mode, brainwashed into submission to Simon. Robin believes she needs "affection" from Simon after all that has happened. Whereas Jessica uses her feminine wiles to resist submission to Simon.

The question that "makes the movie" is, is Jessica giving consent in doing what she needs to do to resist Simon? In other words, being as intimate with Simon as she would her husband? The answer is no. No matter how willing Robin and Jessica were seen to be, Simon had power over then. Rape is, among many things, about demonstrating and preserving power over someone else.

[–] b_a_girl 9 years ago

greensteel:you have the perfect opinion on what 'rape' truely is. Excellent perspective. It is ALL ABOUT control over the victim. Great valid points and excellently put to those who may not quite understand it's truest meaning. I thank you.