Bitter Moon is a 1992 erotic thriller film directed by Roman Polanski. The film opens with a British couple, Nigel and Fiona, on a Mediterranean cruise who meet an exiled American writer named Oscar and his beautiful but troubled French wife, Mimi.
Oscar is confined to a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down, and bitter about his life. He begins to tell Nigel about his tumultuous marriage to Mimi, starting from when they first met and detailing their descent into madness, cruelty, and sexual obsession.
As the story progresses, Nigel becomes more fascinated with Oscar and Mimi's relationship and is drawn into their dangerous and twisted game of dominance and submission. Mimi is not simply a victim, but is complicit in the sadomasochistic relationship, using her sexuality to manipulate both men.
As the passengers disembark onto land, the intensity of the relationship between the four main characters escalates, leading to a brutal and disturbing climax as they confront the destructive nature of their desires.
Bitter Moon is a provocative and disturbing exploration of love, power, and sexuality, featuring strong performances from Hugh Grant, Kristin Scott Thomas, Emmanuelle Seigner, and Peter Coyote. The film is notable for its explicit sexual content and its depiction of BDSM and sadomasochism.