Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- irreverent
- erotic
- campy
- adult cinephile night
- Pedro Almodóvar marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly recognized Almodóvar’s provocative craft and the leads’ chemistry, but responses were divided over the film’s schematic humor and apparent romanticization of abduction and abuse.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Ricky kidnaps Marina and ties her up while insisting that his goal is marriage and mutual love.
The kidnapping, sexual explicitness, and obsessive passion are framed through Almodóvar’s comic and emotionally heightened style.
Marina is a porn film star, and her professional identity shapes the film’s treatment of sexuality, performance, and desire.
Ricky’s kidnapping is explicitly directed toward making Marina become his wife and creating an imagined shared household.
Films like Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, and why
Kika
Shares Almodóvar’s provocative black comedy, heightened melodrama, sexual transgression, and morally unstable romance.
The Piano Teacher
Shares a volatile romantic premise, darkly comic tone, erotic melodrama, and transgressive treatment of intimacy.
Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown
Shares colorful Spanish melodrama, unconventional sexuality, damaged protagonists, and comic emotional excess.
Movie Details
- Director
- Pedro Almodóvar
- Release Date
- 1990-01-22
- Runtime
- 102 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (727)
Cast
- Victoria Abril
- Antonio Banderas
- Loles León
- Julieta Serrano
- María Barranco
- Rossy de Palma
- Francisco Rabal
- Lola Cardona
- Montse G. Romeu
- Emiliano Redondo
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Criterion Channel, HBO Max
- 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 Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! about?
- A mentally unstable ex-patient kidnaps a porn star in an outrageous, sexually charged attempt to turn obsession into marriage.
- What is Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! as mild.
- What did critics think of Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!?
- Critics broadly recognized Almodóvar’s provocative craft and the leads’ chemistry, but responses were divided over the film’s schematic humor and apparent romanticization of abduction and abuse.
- Which films are like Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!?
- Films with a similar feel include Kika, The Piano Teacher, and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown.
- How long is Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!?
- Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! runs 102 minutes.
- Where can I watch Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!?
- In United States, Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! streams on Philo, Criterion Channel, HBO Max.
