Bound, an erotic thriller released in 2015 is directed by Jared Cohn whose credits include numerous low budget attempts at cinema. It features Carpenter in yet another rare leading role which analyzes power, desire, submission, and self-liberation.
The film is often compared to Fifty Shades of Grey because of its heavy focus on BDSM dynamics, but Bound’s gender role reversal makes it unique– it centers on a mature woman’s journey of self-discovery and the constant tension she faces with power in the board room and bedroom.
Critical responses suggest that this film attempts to dissect sexual discovery through a psychological lens, though not having the best outcomes.
Plot Summary: Submission, seduction, and taking controlliterary devices and Their Impact
The story centers around Michelle Mulan, a single mother in her forties who works as an executive at a real estate firm belonging to her father. Having recently been promoted to Vice President, Michelle is expected to turn the company around all while dealing with an emotionally absent father, a troublesome teenage daughter, and the inevitable struggles of a male-centric corporate environment.
Ryan Black answers the call. He’s younger, charming in look and dominating in posture. Michelle meets Ryan in a bar where he seamlessly blends into her life as a lover and a curious influencer, making her familiar to BDSM – Bondage, Dominance and Submission.
As Michelle gets deeper under Ryan’s spellbinding power games, she slowly begins to shift between questioning her identity and reflecting on how deep her self exploration can go.
Surprisingly, the story doesn’t focus solely on sexual exploration. Michelle learns the hard way that Ryan isn’t as kind and liberating as he makes himself out to be. On top of that, his control becomes abusive, emotionally and physically, and threatens to ruin her career, family and overall well being.
And so, what starts as freedom turns into the dark underbelly of control and manipulation and has frosty claws latched around the vulnerable Michelle who must mentally prepare herself to choose between taking power back or being lost in this proverbial web.
Cast & Characters Charisma Carpenter as Michelle Mulan – A corporate executive and single mother who finds herself pulled into a world of submission and sexual discovery. Carpenter brings nuance and vulnerability to a role that is emotionally and physically complex.
Bryce Draper as Ryan Black – The charming and enigmatic younger man who opens Michelle’s eyes to the world of BDSM. Ryan is deeply seductive, but also incredibly luring in a sinister sense.
Daniel Baldwin as Walter Mulan – Michelle’s father, who is emotionally tormented and stern. He is the “head” of a real estate firm and has put an unimaginative amount of burden on his wife’s shoulders.
Morgan Obenreder as Dara – Michelle’s teenage daughter serves as a sliver of Michelle’s maternal nature and the sacrifices she undergoes. Dara serves as another source of conflict as Michelle’s private life spirals out of control.
Mark McClain Wilson as George – Michelle’s uninteresting, but dependable boyfriend. Unlike Ryan, who represents passion, romance is seriously lacking.
Themes: Power, Control, and Female Agency
The film is a sensual thriller but Bound delves into deeper issues such as power, identity, and vulnerability.
🔍 Major Themes:
🖤 Sexual Awakening Later in Life – In this motion picture, Michelle’s journey is about discovering more of herself that the world seems to put “stickers” on for women above the forties. It portrays how older women possess an erotic power of choice which is devoid of representation in the mainstream world.
🕶 The Illusion of Control – Michelle is given power by Ryan. But Ryan’s power quickly shifts into control. The film discusses how dysfunctional relationships can function as liberating therapies.
💼 Corporate Power vs. Personal Power – While Michelle may be progressing in her career, she is simultaneously losing control over her personal life. The juxtaposition in her having power in the office and being submissive in the bedroom creates a primary conflict in the film.
⚖️ Female Empowerment or Exploitation? – One of the leading questions of the movie is whether Michelle is actively pursuing her choices, or whether she is being placed into a submissive role. It plays on issues of autonomy, coercion, and self-discovery.
Direction, Style and Atmosphere
Jared Cohn, the director, constructs Bound as a stylish, dark thriller featuring an intimidating lack of color and deeply shadowed, polished urban landscapes. It captures the allure and menace of the women’s world fully, although some reviewers observed that the film attempts to emulate best-known erotic thrillers, but fails to deliver the same plot and suspense.
The soundtrack and cinematography work together to keep the mood gloomy, especially during the more sensitive parts of the film. Much care goes into controlling the pace of Michelle’s immersion into Ryan’s world, but a lot of the audience still thinks the script is shallow and overly explanatory.
Reception: Somewhat Favorable to Unfavorable
Despite the fact its provocative theme and the lead role played by Charisma Carpenter brought attention to Bound, both critics and regular viewers rated the film poorly.
What Some Viewers Liked:
Carpenter’s performance is arguably the most striking feature of the movie, even if the details are not terribly impressive.
The approach to female sexuality and old age desire finally being portrayed in cinema.
Some suspenseful, vividly captured moments that arguably heightened the eroticism of the film.
Common Criticisms:
A script full of clichés and very little substance.
Characters and plot were not sufficiently developed.
The depiction of BDSM was more of a crass stereotype than a serious attempt at showing complex issues.
Lack the profound character development found in films of this sort like Secretary or Eyes Wide Shut.
Often referred to as a movie that set out to discuss empowerment but ended up drowning in erotic window dressing.
Accessibility
Bound remains in circulation and can be found on free streaming sites, such as Tubi, as well as on DVD from a number of online sellers. The movie does not appear to have received much critical praise or recognition, but has garnered a cult following for its intricate story and Charisma Carpenter’s fan base exploitation.
Final Thoughts: Would You Recommend Watching Bound (2015)?
Most certainly, if the audience has an interest in:
✔ Plot involving female leads aged 40 and above in erotic and psychological thrillers.
✔ Themes of sadism and masochism with traceable elements of manipulation.
✔ Drama, which is slightly disturbing, but intriguing and sets the mood on suspense.
Definitely not, if the audience is hoping for:
❌ Intellectual speculation and analysis of BDSM relationships.
❌ Any form of creativity or innovation in the execution of erotic thrillers.
❌ Admiration for extraordinary production quality or even mediocre reviews.
My final conclusion about Bound is, it is an average erotic thriller that has a gripping premise, feeling forced to deliver and instead crumble beneath expectations. While this movie may not be suited for the masses, it will surely appeal to people who appreciate a different narrative shift on the topics of feminine strength and fragility.