Ugh, Damage (1992) - So Bad It's...Kinda Good?

Okay, so I just watched 'Damage' (1992) and OMG. I went in totally blind, only knowing it was supposed to be, like, super scandalous. And scandal it IS. I mean, Jeremy Irons as a politician?! Right there I was side-eyeing the whole thing, LOL. But then the whole son's girlfriend thing with Anna (Juliette Binoche) starts, and it's like watching a train wreck in slow motion. You KNOW it's going to be a disaster, but you literally can't look away. Here's my theory though...and maybe it's not that deep, but it hit me. I think Anna was totally playing him the whole time. Like, she knew what she was doing with the whole 'damaged' vibe. The way she kind of just...allows him to fall for her, never really reciprocating but always keeping him hooked? Super manipulative. The scene where they're first fully intimate...she barely reacts! I was expecting some kind of explosion of emotion, but nothing. Just blank. Chilling stuff. And the son, Martyn, is just SO oblivious! Seriously, how does he not see it? Is he just THAT blinded by love? Or is he also playing some game? But tbh, I think he's just naive. Mostly I felt bad for him. Anyway, that ending... yikes. Did they really have to show that close up of the photo? Yeesh. Felt super unnecessary. But hey, maybe that's the point. It's all about damage... psycholigcal damage and oh boy, there's A LOT of it to go around in this flick! My final verdict? It's not going on my all-time faves list, but talk about a movie you can dissect for days. The acting is...well, let's just say everyone commits. I'd recommend it if you're in the mood for something dark, twisty, and maybe a little bit ridiculous. Just don't watch it with your parents, lol. You've been warned.