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Drama

Pleasure (2022): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Pleasure (2022) movie poster

Pleasure is a 2022 drama directed by Ninja Thyberg, starring Sofia Kappel as Bella, Jason Toler and Dana DeArmond. It runs 1 hour 49 minutes and earned $393,824 worldwide on a $19 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2022. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10.

IMDb rating
6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes
88%
worldwide gross
$393.8K
award nominations
2
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Pleasure (2022) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 49m (109 min)
Director
Ninja Thyberg
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
Neon
Budget
$19M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Pleasure About?

The premise of Pleasure without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Debut filmmaker Ninja Thyberg's film offers a revealing look at Los Angeles' adult film industry through the perspective of Bella Cherry, portrayed by Sofia Kappel. The story follows Bella’s determined pursuit of success within this challenging world, showcasing her ambition and the choices she makes as she navigates a complex and often unpredictable environment.

Pleasure Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • porn industry
  • adult entertainment
  • f rated
  • triple f rated
  • female porn star
  • prostitute
  • sex worker
  • nipple piercing
  • porn actress
  • aspiring porn star
  • downward spiral
  • female pubic hair
+38 more
  • male explicit nudity
  • shaved pubic hair
  • trimmed pubic hair
  • female full frontal nudity
  • female frontal nudity
  • erect penis
  • female topless nudity
  • double anal penetration
  • male nudity
  • male full frontal nudity
  • nipple pierced
  • swedish prostitute
  • prostitution
  • female protagonist
  • nudity
  • masturbation
  • interracial sex
  • aspiring porn actress
  • swedish woman in america
  • interracial threesome
  • douche
  • extreme misogyny
  • erection
  • female nudity
  • female rear nudity
  • sweden
  • eastern scandinavia
  • adult industry
  • cannes 2020
  • swedish lifestyle
  • pubic hair
  • fellatio
  • pornstar
  • swedish pornstar
  • one word title
  • sex scene
  • tattoo
  • flat share
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Cast & crew

Pleasure Cast & Characters

Sofia Kappel leads the cast as Bella, with Jason Toler as Mike and Dana DeArmond as Ashley. Directed by Ninja Thyberg; 13 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Ninja Thyberg

More films directed by Ninja Thyberg: Girls & Boys, Stallion, Hot Chicks and Pleasure.

Full filmography
Ratings

Pleasure Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Pleasure 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 54/100, strongest in character & emotion (68) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

54 /100

Pleasure Echo Score Breakdown

Pleasure generates a mixed overall impression. Critics commend the film’s deliberate direction, nuanced visual choices, and Sofia Kappel’s compelling performance, which together give the work a thoughtful edge. At the same time, both reviewers and audiences note a conventional, under‑developed narrative and uneven pacing that limit its lasting impact. The combination of strong craft elements and a weakly articulated story results in a film that engages selectively but does not sustain repeated viewings.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 62

    In terms of art and craft, the film shows purposeful direction and a restrained visual style that many critics found effective. The use of a clinical mise‑en‑scène underscores the documentary tone, while some reviewers felt the visual department lacked engagement. Overall, the craftsmanship is solid but not outstanding, delivering a competent yet unremarkable aesthetic experience.

  • Character & Emotion 68

    When it comes to character and emotion, Kappel’s performance is widely praised for its intensity and authenticity, anchoring the film’s emotional core. However, several viewers argue that broader character development is thin and the lead lacks the charisma needed to sustain the narrative. The result is a strong central portrayal set against a backdrop of under‑realized supporting arcs.

  • Story & Flow 45

    Story and flow receive the most criticism; the plot follows a familiar rise‑and‑fall trajectory that many describe as conventional and lacking depth. Critics point to a fabricated protagonist and a narrative that feels remote, while users highlight a haphazard screenplay and insufficient backstory. Consequently, the film’s originality and engagement suffer, limiting its narrative resonance.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    Sensory experience is a mixed aspect of the film. While some reviewers note poetic visual moments and respectful handling of intimate scenes, others find the overall visual design uninspired and the soundscape unremarkable. The sensory components support the documentary approach but do not elevate the viewing experience beyond a functional level.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    Rewatch factor is modest; the film sparks discussion and offers occasional powerful moments that may invite a second look. Nonetheless, the predictable storyline, limited character depth, and uneven pacing reduce its appeal for repeat viewings. Both critics and users suggest that, despite its thematic relevance, the film lacks lasting replay value.

Plot

Pleasure Plot Summary

What happens in Pleasure from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

20-year-old Linnéa, known in the adult film industry as Bella Cherry, is a bright yet naive young woman from a quaint town in Sweden. Chasing her dreams, she makes the bold decision to move to Los Angeles, envisioning herself as the next big star in the world of adult entertainment. With the guidance of her manager, Mike, she delves into the complexities of the industry, determined to secure influential roles and significantly boost her video views. Each shoot earns her USD 900, but the cost of her ambition reveals itself as she navigates the murky waters of personal limits.

Full summary

The whole story of Pleasure, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Pleasure Box Office & Budget

Pleasure grossed $393,824 worldwide on a $19 million budget. $106,789 came from the US and Canada and $287,035 (73%) from the rest of the world.

2022 box office

Worldwide gross

$393.8K

US & Canada
$106.8K
International
$287K
Budget
$19M
US & Canada 27% Rest of the world 73%
Awards

Pleasure Awards & Nominations

Pleasure earned 2 award nominations, including Best Director at the Spirit Awards 2022.

2 nominations1 ceremony

Videos

Pleasure Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 4 trailers, 1 clip and 4 featurettes.

All 9 videos
Official Redband Trailer
  • Trailer Official Greenband Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer #2
  • Clip Official Clip
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Pleasure?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is Linnéa's alias in the adult entertainment industry?

Cars

Cars in Pleasure

8 cars on screen, including the DAF LF and the 2017 Ford Fiesta MkVII.

All 8 cars
  • DAF LF in Pleasure DAF LF Background role
  • 2017 Ford Fiesta MkVII in Pleasure 2017 Ford Fiesta MkVII Background role
  • 2014 Ford Transit MkVI in Pleasure 2014 Ford Transit MkVI Background role
  • 2005 Kia Picanto in Pleasure 2005 Kia Picanto Background role
Details

Pleasure Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Jessica” and “欢愉”.

Also known as
  • Jessica
  • 欢愉
  • Ηδονή
  • Удовольствие
  • 喜び
  • Haz
  • 플레져
  • Насолода
  • Задоволення
  • Pleasure: Uncut
  • Rozkoš
  • Bauda
+9 more
  • Khoái Cảm
  • Zadovoljstvo
  • 플레저
  • הנאה
  • เพลิงเพลิน
  • 星夢性快感
  • Nauding
  • لذت
  • Plăcerea, სიამოვნება

Seen Pleasure?

FAQ

Pleasure FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Pleasure, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Pleasure?

Pleasure runs 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes).

When was Pleasure released?

Pleasure was released on May 13, 2022.

Who directed Pleasure?

Pleasure was directed by Ninja Thyberg.

More films by Ninja Thyberg

Who is in the cast of Pleasure?

Pleasure stars Sofia Kappel as Bella, Jason Toler as Mike and Dana DeArmond as Ashley, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Pleasure make at the box office?

Pleasure grossed $393,824 worldwide ($106,789 domestic, $287,035 international) on a budget of $19 million.

How is Pleasure rated?

Pleasure has 6.3/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 63% on TMDB.

Was Pleasure nominated for any awards?

Pleasure received 2 nominations across 1 ceremony.

Does Pleasure have a post-credit scene?

No. Pleasure has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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