Dangerous Liaisons (2012)

Dangerous Liaisons (2012)

Year: 2012

Runtime: 110 min

Language: French

Director: Jin-ho Hur

DramaMysteryRomance

In the luxurious and decadent world of Shanghai, a ruthless socialite and her former lover become entangled in a scheme of manipulation and desire. He agrees to seduce an innocent young woman as part of their game, leading to a series of betrayals and devastating consequences for everyone involved. Their dangerous liaison exposes the dark side of wealth and power.

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Timeline & Setting – Dangerous Liaisons (2012) (2012)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Dangerous Liaisons (2012) (2012). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Pre-Revolutionary France

The period before the French Revolution was marked by stark social inequalities and growing unrest among the lower classes. It was a time when the aristocracy engaged in lavish lifestyles, oblivious to the suffering of the populace. This era set the stage for the dramatic conflicts of love and revenge seen in 'Dangerous Liaisons'.

Location

Pre-Revolution Paris

Pre-Revolution Paris is characterized by its opulence and social stratification, where the upper classes indulge in decadence and intrigue. The city is pulsing with the undercurrents of discontent that would soon give rise to revolution, making it a tangled web of seductive power plays and moral decay. Its ballrooms, salons, and opera houses serve as the backdrop for romantic entanglements and betrayal.

🏰 Paris 🌹 France

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

Main Characters – Dangerous Liaisons (2012) (2012)

Meet the key characters of Dangerous Liaisons (2012) (2012), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Marquise de Merteuil (Ziyi Zhang)

The Marquise de Merteuil is a cunning and manipulative woman who orchestrates the seduction of her ex-lover's fiancée as a means of revenge. She embodies the struggle for power in a patriarchal society and showcases a chilling blend of intelligence and ruthlessness. Merteuil's actions ultimately reflect the broader themes of betrayal and vengeance.

👩‍⚖️ Manipulation 🕵️‍♀️ Strategist 🔥 Ambition

Vicomte de Valmont (Dong-Gun Jang)

Valmont is a charismatic yet morally ambiguous seducer who becomes entangled in Merteuil's scheming. His pursuit of both Cécile and the devout Madame de Tourvel reveals his complex character, torn between pleasure and genuine love. Valmont's tragic downfall as a result of his actions highlights the destructive potential of passion and manipulation.

🎩 Seducer 💔 Tragic Hero 🎭 Charismatic

Cécile de Volanges (Cecilia Cheung)

Cécile is a young and naive character who becomes the target of Valmont's machinations. Her innocence and sheltered upbringing leave her vulnerable to the manipulative games played by the adults around her. Through Cécile's plight, the film critiques the societal pressures on women and the loss of innocence.

👸 Innocence 🌸 Naivety 💔 Victim

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

Major Themes – Dangerous Liaisons (2012) (2012)

Explore the central themes of Dangerous Liaisons (2012) (2012), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Betrayal

Betrayal is a central theme in 'Dangerous Liaisons', where characters manipulate and deceive each other for personal gain. The Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont orchestrate elaborate schemes to destroy their enemies while disguising their true intentions. This theme explores the complexity of human relationships and the moral ambiguity of their actions.

👩‍❤️‍👨 Seduction

Seduction permeates the plot, with characters engaging in manipulative games to achieve their desires. Valmont's pursuit of Cécile and Tourvel illustrates the power dynamics of seduction, where innocence and virtue are exploited. This theme highlights the intersection of love and manipulation in a society defined by appearances and expectations.

⚔️ Revenge

The quest for revenge drives much of the story, particularly for Merteuil, as she seeks to humiliate her former lover. This theme explores how vengeance can lead to devastating consequences, affecting not only the victims but also the perpetrators. The cycle of revenge ultimately results in tragedy for all involved.

Last Updated: December 31, 2024 at 17:38

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Decadent period dramas of manipulation like Dangerous Liaisons (2012)

Luxurious worlds where cruel social games lead to devastating consequences.If you enjoyed the cruel games and luxurious decay of Dangerous Liaisons, explore more movies like it. These similar stories feature characters navigating the treacherous waters of high society, where manipulation and desire lead to tragic, bleak outcomes.

opulentdecadentmanipulativetragicmelodramaticcruelcynicaldesperate

Narrative Summary

The narrative often follows a calculated scheme of seduction or revenge, set against a backdrop of extreme wealth. The plot methodically unfolds the consequences of these manipulations, usually resulting in public disgrace, emotional devastation, or death for the main characters.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped together for their shared atmosphere of opulent decay, their focus on psychological manipulation as a central plot driver, and their ultimately tragic view of human nature within rigid social hierarchies.

Bleak tragedies of corrupted innocence like in Dangerous Liaisons (2012)

Stories where innocence is deliberately destroyed, leading to irreversible devastation.For viewers who appreciated the heavy emotional weight of innocence being destroyed in Dangerous Liaisons. These movies like it explore similar themes of manipulation leading to tragic, life-altering consequences for vulnerable characters.

tragicdarkheavydesperatecruelmelodramaticdevastatingpsychological

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a world-weary or vengeful character targeting an innocent individual as part of a game or plan. The story charts the systematic breaking down of the innocent party's beliefs and purity, culminating in a catastrophic event such as a death, profound despair, or a complete loss of self.

Why These Movies?

These films share a central, heartbreaking theme of innocence being sacrificed for sport, revenge, or power. They deliver a heavy emotional impact through a steady, inevitable march towards a tragic conclusion, leaving little room for hope.

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Dangerous Liaisons (2012) Summary

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Dangerous Liaisons (2012) Summary

Dangerous Liaisons (2012) Timeline

Track the full timeline of Dangerous Liaisons (2012) with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Dangerous Liaisons (2012) Timeline

Dangerous Liaisons (2012) Spoiler-Free Summary

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Dangerous Liaisons (2012) Spoiler-Free Summary

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