Almodovar Does Stockholm Syndrome?! Let's Talk 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!'

Okay, so I finally got around to watching 'Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!' (¡Átame!) last night, something I've been meaning to do for ages since I'm making my way through Almodóvar's filmography. I knew it was controversial going in, obviously, the kidnapping angle is...a lot. But I still wanted to see what he did with it. I'm still processing, tbh. It's not quite as over-the-top melodramatic as some of his other films, which I kind of expected, but that almost makes it creepier? Banderas is, well, Banderas. Intense and kinda unhinged, but also vulnerable? Like he actually believes what he's doing is justified. And Victoria Abril... wow. I wasn't familiar with her work before, but she's incredible. She really sells the terror and the gradual shift in her feelings (or at least, the appearance of shifting feelings). The scene where she's tied to the bed and he's just rambling about their future, it's so uncomfortable but you can't look away. The whole movie really hinges on those performances, and they both deliver. I'm not sure I loved it, love being a strong word here, but I definitely appreciated it. It's a disturbing film, no doubt, but it's also a really interesting exploration of obsession and loneliness, and like, the blurred lines of consent and control. The way it deals with desire feels very...Almodóvar, but I can absolutely see why this one generated (and probably still generates) strong reactions. What did you guys think? Did it work for you, or did the premise turn you completely off? One last thing- does anyone else find the quick cuts to the woman being chased from the movie (the movie within the movie) a bit pointless? It feels like filler to pad the time...