Clouzot is frequently described as a misanthrope. Woman in chains is a very brilliant exploration of relationships that foreshadows some of the themes in 50 Shades of Gray but is far more erotic without descending. At the centre of the film are three people, Stan a wealthy gallery owner whose relationship with women is very controlling but not very physical. It is therefore perceived by Jose the female lead as being uniquely erotic compared to her relationship with Gilbert. Their relationship is very mature almost "open"..but it is prosaic and therefore the heightened sexuality of her relationship with Stan is extra-ordinarily appealing. However, after Gilbert leaves for Germany in a flunk, Stan and Jose go to the coast and enjoy a night on the rocks with the waves crashing around them and then take a hotel room...after some difficulties, they consummate their relationship, much to the satisfaction of Jose, but when she retrieves a photo of them as a happy couple from a photographer, Stan is incensed and leaves her...she returns to Gilbert but their relationship appears to be finished...and then the whole thing goes haywire.
Review of Woman in Chains
