Is Netflix's '365 Days' Perpetuating Rape Culture? Singer Wants Erotic Film Removed

Netflix’s “365 Days” has come under fire for its controversial storyline, with some critics even claiming that the film “defies nearly every rule of good filmmaking.”

Based on Blanka Lipinska's bestselling Polish-language novel “365 dni,” the Netflix movie follows the story of mafia boss Massimo Torricelli (Michele Morrone), who imprisons Laura Biel (Anna-Maria Sieklucka) and gives him a year to fall in love with him. It was given a “TV-MA” rating on the streaming platform due to “sex, nudity, sexual violence, language and smoking.”

But while Netflix has acknowledged that it is controversial, the Polish erotic drama is now being accused of “perpetuating rape culture while glorifying sex trafficking, kidnapping and Stockholm syndrome to teens and young adults,” USA Today reported.

“Mercy” hitmaker Duffy, in an open letter to Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, slammed the Polish erotic film for glamorizing harrowing experiences real people have suffered and called for it to be taken down.

"'365 Days' glamorizes the brutal reality of sex trafficking, kidnapping and rape," the Welsh singer’s letter obtained by Deadline read. "This should not be anyone’s idea of entertainment, nor should it be described as such, or be commercialized in this manner."

"You have not realized how '365 Days' has brought great hurt to those who have endured the pains and horrors that this film glamorizes," Duffy continued. "What I and others who know these injustices need is the exact opposite – a narrative of truth, hope, and to be given a voice."

Prior to Duffy's letter, “365 Days” had already been receiving harsh reviews from critics, with one saying the film “defies nearly every rule of good filmmaking,” as per The Atlantic. It also currently has a 0% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes and a 3.4 rating on IMDb.

"Thoroughly terrible, politically objectionable, occasionally hilarious," Jessica Kiang, a Variety critic, said of the film.

Meanwhile, Barbara Shulgasser-Parker of Common Sense Media called Netflix’s former no. 1 film a "poorly written…blatant rip-off of 'Fifty Shades of Gray.'"

Despite the controversy surrounding it, the Netflix erotic drama has garnered global success since its February premiere. It has maintained its seat on the streaming service’s top 10 charts alongside family-friendly releases such as “Floor Is Lava” and “Eurovision Song Contest,” which stars Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams.

“365 Days” is currently trending at no. 7 on Netflix’s top 10 charts.

A sequel for “365 Days” is reportedly also in the works due to its increasing popularity despite calls for the first movie's removal. Lead actor Morrone, who has amassed a large following since the film’s debut on Netflix, now boasts a whopping 7.4 million followers on Instagram.

During an appearance in a personalized fan video for HalaHi—Cameo’s Middle Eastern counterpart—the actor confirmed that he has signed on for the film’s sequel and will reprise his role as Massimo.