Fifty Shades Darker

Fifty Shades Darker is a 2017 American erotic romantic drama film directed by James Foley, with a screenplay by Niall Leonard. The story is based on E.L. James's 2012 novel of the same name and serves as the second installment in the Fifty Shades film series, following the first film, Fifty Shades of Grey (2015). The film features Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan reprising their roles as Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey, respectively. It also stars Eric Johnson, Rita Ora, Kim Basinger, and Marcia Gay Harden in important supporting roles.

The plot follows Anastasia and Christian as they navigate their complicated relationship with the promise of "no rules, no punishments, and no more secrets." The film explores themes of love, trust, and the impact of past traumas on their present.

The anticipation for Fifty Shades Darker was high following the success of its predecessor. Development for the sequel began shortly after the first film's premiere, with filming taking place in Paris and Vancouver from 09 February 2016 to 11 April 2016. The film was produced by Michael De Luca Productions and Trigger Street Productions, and it was distributed by Universal Pictures.

Release Date and Box Office Performance

The film premiered on 07 February 2017 in Hamburg, Germany, and was released in the United States on 10 February 2017. It was met with mixed reviews and grossed approximately $381 million worldwide against a budget of $55 million. Despite its box office success, critics largely panned the film for its screenplay and acting, though some performances were praised.

At the 38th Golden Raspberry Awards, Fifty Shades Darker received nine nominations, including Worst Picture, and won awards for Worst Prequel, Remake, Rip-off or Sequel, and Worst Supporting Actress for Kim Basinger.

Plot Overview

The story begins with Anastasia leaving Christian Grey, leading him to suffer nightmares about his troubled childhood. Meanwhile, Ana starts a new job as an assistant at Seattle Independent Publishing, where she faces challenges from her boss, Jack Hyde, who has a history of issues with previous assistants. Their paths cross again at a photography exhibit, leading to a rekindling of feelings.

As they begin to explore their relationship again, new threats emerge, including Leila, a former submissive of Christian's, who begins stalking them. The couple faces various obstacles, including Christian's past and their different expectations of their relationship. Tensions rise when Ana is pressured to attend a book expo in New York with Jack, culminating in a dramatic confrontation that leads to Ana being promoted at work.

In a significant turn of events, Christian opens up about his troubled childhood and his struggle with his dominant tendencies. This vulnerability leads him to propose to Ana, who, after some contemplation, accepts his proposal during a heartfelt moment amidst fireworks.

Music and Reception

The film's soundtrack was released alongside two versions: one featuring popular songs and another with the original score by Danny Elfman. Notably, the theme song "I Don't Wanna Live Forever" by Zayn and Taylor Swift received significant attention and acclaim.

Critics had a mixed to negative reception of Fifty Shades Darker, with an approval rating of 11% on Rotten Tomatoes and a score of 33 on Metacritic. Many reviews highlighted the lack of chemistry and narrative depth in the film, while some audience members found it enjoyable for its entertainment value.

In summary, Fifty Shades Darker attempts to build on its predecessor's foundation by delving deeper into the characters' emotional struggles and the complexities of love, but it ultimately falls short of critical acclaim, leaving viewers with a mix of intrigue and disappointment.