Who doesn’t have some type of sexual tendency and / or infatuation that they don’t feel entirely comfortable with? Perhaps the habits aren’t as extreme as the condition depicted in this film, but much like a physicist, McQueen tests under extreme conditions to assure he receives the best results. I’ve never seen a film about drugs throw you right into the hole of addiction like this one does. I think that’s because unlike drugs, sexual behavior is something you develop with from very early on. The way you function in that regard becomes intertwined with whom and you are, making it far more difficult (if not impossible) to relinquish yourself of such urges. Instead of approaching the issue directly, the main character does more damage to himself by attempting to conceal it from the rest of the world, no matter how intrusive the compulsion becomes. As a result, we watch him go through his daily routines as he more violently experiences inner-turmoil that seems to only be momentarily hushed by ejaculating. With McQueen’s ability to convey the hyper-invasive feelings that Fassbender adeptly depicts through acting, the two of them really nailed this one (no pun intended.) Random scenes I particularly enjoyed (spoiler alert for those who fucking care) – The conversation he has with his sister on the couch as an old cartoon is played out of focus on the television, the sound adding a strange layer of ambiance to their discussion. Aside from what I thought to be overuse of that dramatic piece of music, I thought the sound design was quite good in general. The threesome sequence was excellent and I appreciate that the film climaxes with Michael Fassbender climaxing. I like the way McQueen ended this one. He lets his story hit its peak and then cuts its throat to let it bleed out. It leaves some people wanting more but that’s all he’s willing to offer. There’s a lot of information purposely omitted in this one, namely of his and his sister’s past. One could look at this as either a strength or a weakness in the development of the two characters. But when it is all said and done, I don’t think you’re supposed to know where these people have been nor where they are going. When the ending credits come on, you’re left not with a story of an addict who changes his ways or an addict who will never change his ways. It is just giving you a portrait of a man addicted to something. And its a portrait of a person that occasionally looks like someone you know or even yourself.