Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- sensual
- melodramatic
- mysterious
- date night
- late night viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film stylish but undermined by laughably melodramatic performances, poor dialogue, and convoluted plotting.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Julia approaches Luis under a false identity while their marriage develops into a volatile contest between fraud, attraction, and emotional attachment.
The film combines lavish period imagery with overwrought declarations, betrayal, obsession, and abrupt changes in allegiance.
Julia is presented through multiple names and roles, while Walter also operates through aliases and performance.
The Cuban setting, glamorous costumes, wide compositions, and explicitly sadomasochistic lovemaking give the romance a dark noir atmosphere.
Films like Original Sin, and why
The Last Seduction
Shared erotic thriller framework, dangerous romantic deception, obsessive desire, and betrayal.
Dangerous Liaisons
Shared period romance, criminal deception, heightened melodrama, and morally unstable lovers.
Body Heat
Shared erotic mystery, manipulative identity games, and psychologically charged romance.
The Lover
Shared lush historical setting, forbidden desire, and melodramatic romantic intrigue.
Movie Details
- Director
- Michael Cristofer
- Release Date
- 2001-05-08
- Runtime
- 116 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (927)
Cast
- Angelina Jolie
- Antonio Banderas
- Thomas Jane
- Gregory Itzin
- Jack Thompson
- Allison Mackie
- Joan Pringle
- Cordelia Richards
- James Haven
- Lisa Owen
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus
- Rent
- Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Apple TV Store, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Original Sin about?
- A wealthy Cuban coffee grower’s mail-order marriage becomes a perilous erotic game of aliases, betrayal, and obsessive love.
- What is Original Sin like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Original Sin as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Original Sin violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Original Sin as moderate.
- What did critics think of Original Sin?
- Critics broadly found the film stylish but undermined by laughably melodramatic performances, poor dialogue, and convoluted plotting.
- Which films are like Original Sin?
- Films with a similar feel include The Last Seduction, Dangerous Liaisons, Body Heat, and The Lover.
- How long is Original Sin?
- Original Sin runs 116 minutes.
- Where can I watch Original Sin?
- In United States, Original Sin streams on fuboTV, MGM+ Amazon Channel, Philo, MGM Plus Roku Premium Channel, MGM Plus.
