Year: 1974
Runtime: 95 mins
Language: French
Director: Just Jaeckin
Let’s you feel good without feeling bad An employee at the French Embassy in Bangkok invites his wife to join him – and enjoy the benefits of their open marriage.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Emmanuelle (1974), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
Emmanuelle, Sylvia Kristel, travels to Bangkok to join her diplomat husband Jean, [Daniel Sarky], who asks whether she had any other lovers while she was in Paris; she replies that she has not. After a nude swim, Marie-Ange, [Christine Boisson], a young woman, approaches Emmanuelle and later visits her, finding her sleeping and leveraging the moment to touch her. Emmanuelle wakes and they step outside, where Marie-Ange asks if she has any photos of herself and Jean making love. When Emmanuelle says she does not, Marie-Ange pulls a French magazine featuring Paul Newman and begins to masturbate in front of her. Emmanuelle confesses that, though she did not cheat on her husband in Paris, she did have sex with two strangers on the flight over to Bangkok, and Emmanuelle begins to masturbate as she recounts the tryst. That night, she tells Jean about Marie-Ange’s shamelessness, which leads him to encourage her to pursue the friendship.
The next day at a party, Marie-Ange introduces Emmanuelle to one of her lovers, an older man named Mario, [Alain Cuny]. Emmanuelle then notices Bee, [Marika Green], a French archaeologist who stands apart from the expatriate circles. She begins a private conversation with Bee and slips her a bracelet. At Emmanuelle’s insistence, Bee agrees to meet her at the Watsai klong, but once there Bee seems uninterested and tries to return the bracelet; Emmanuelle refuses to take it back. Undeterred, Emmanuelle climbs into Bee’s jeep as she is about to leave for a dig site. Meanwhile, Jean grows angry that Emmanuelle has left without informing him and suspects that her squash partner Ariana, [Jeanne Colletin], is involved. Ariana denies knowledge and offers only consolation sex. After a horseback ride, Emmanuelle and Bee reach a waterfall site where they bathe. At the dig site, Emmanuelle flirts with Bee while she works. The two have sex, but Bee then asks Emmanuelle to leave. Emmanuelle returns home in tears, feeling humiliated. Jean tries to comfort her and suggests she should take another lover.
The next day, Emmanuelle and Ariana attempt to play squash but end up arguing. Ariana seems jealous of Bee, having hoped to be Emmanuelle’s first female lover, while Emmanuelle is upset with Ariana for sleeping with Jean. Frustrated, Emmanuelle decides to meet Mario again, noting that at his age, making love becomes almost an art. At dinner, Mario explains that monogamy will soon die out and that she must learn to let lust, rather than guilt or reason, guide her sexuality to reach higher levels of pleasure. To illustrate his point, Mario takes her to an opium den, where one of the denizens rapes her while Mario watches. He then leads her to a boxing ring, where he convinces two young men to fight for the right to sleep with her. Mario tells Emmanuelle to choose a favorite; the winner satisfies her, and she is aroused by his willingness to fight, allowing him to have sex with her.
Later, Emmanuelle is awakened by Mario, who orders her to change into a back-zipped dress so he can strip her instantly for the next encounter. She protests that she is tired and asks if he will ever have sex with her again; he replies that he is waiting for the “next Emmanuelle.” Emmanuelle sits at a mirror and applies makeup, hoping that following Mario’s instructions will unlock the higher pleasures he has promised.
“the next Emmanuelle”
Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 14:12
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Movies that examine sexuality with a detached, observational perspective.If you liked the detached, observational perspective on sexual freedom in Emmanuelle, discover more movies that examine eroticism intellectually. These films share a similar neutral tone, steady pacing, and provocative themes, making them great choices for viewers seeking thoughtful, sensual stories without heavy emotional melodrama.
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Stories that invite the audience to observe hidden or transgressive subcultures.For viewers who enjoyed the voyeuristic journey into the world of open marriage and sexual politics in Emmanuelle, this list highlights similar films. These movies pull you into hidden subcultures and transgressive lifestyles with a steady, observational pace, perfect for those seeking provocative and liberating cinematic experiences.
The narrative pattern often involves an outsider or initiate being introduced to a new, morally complex world. The story is structured around a series of revelations and encounters that challenge conventional norms. The ending is frequently ambiguous, reflecting the ongoing nature of the exploration rather than a neat resolution.
These movies share a core vibe of voyeurism and liberation. They are united by their focus on topics like sexual exploration and moral ambiguity, and moods such as provocative and detached. The pacing is consistently steady, allowing the audience to absorb the unfamiliar world, while the complexity tends to be straightforward, focusing on the central journey.
Don't stop at just watching — explore Emmanuelle in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Emmanuelle is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Emmanuelle with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Emmanuelle. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Emmanuelle that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.
Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Emmanuelle: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.
Discover movies like Emmanuelle that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.
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