The Duke of Burgundy 2015

In this intricate web of relationships, Evelyn (character) resides under the watchful eye of her mentor Cynthia, an esteemed lepidopterologist who imparts her knowledge to the young and ambitious Evelyn. As their romantic bond deepens, Evelyn’s duties as a maid within Cynthia’s home become increasingly demanding, with high expectations for cleanliness and precision. Any deviation from these standards results in stern punishment, a subtle yet potent reminder of the power dynamics at play.

As Cynthia’s authority begins to wane, it becomes strikingly clear that Evelyn is masterfully manipulating their relationship through written scripts and instructions, which they reenact daily with meticulous regularity. While Evelyn derives sensual pleasure from these performances, Cynthia participates solely to appease her lover. In a bid to please Evelyn on her birthday, Cynthia commissions the construction of a bed with an intricately designed drawer for Evelyn to sleep in as punishment; however, this gesture falls short of Evelyn’s expectations, and she ultimately rejects it.

As tensions rise, Evelyn begins to demand a new form of discipline: confinement within a trunk each evening. Cynthia reluctantly agrees, her resentment palpable as the physical distance between them grows. The couple’s dynamic further deteriorates as Evelyn’s demands go unfulfilled, and Cynthia’s self-consciousness about her aging body – exacerbated by an injury sustained while moving the trunk to her bedside – becomes increasingly evident.

The relationship reaches a boiling point when Cynthia accuses Evelyn of betraying their bond by polishing another lecturer’s boots. On Evelyn’s birthday, she is subjected to an unusual demand: baking a cake that Cynthia devours while reclining with her feet resting on Evelyn’s face. This jarring scene elicits no joy from Evelyn, who ultimately invokes her safeword, “pinastri,” which Cynthia ignores.

The two then reenact their familiar play, only for Cynthia to shatter character and weep uncontrollably. Evelyn consoles her, professing her love, before the cycle begins anew. The film concludes with Evelyn standing at the doorstep, ringing the doorbell once more – a poignant reminder of the intricate dance they perpetuate, bound by a complex web of power, desire, and intimacy.