If you landed on this article by searching "the indecent woman 1991 imdb top," you should ask yourself what you want:
When you search for "the indecent woman 1991 imdb top," you are not looking for a masterpiece. You are looking for the other side of cinema—the wild, the cheap, the shocking, and the unforgettable. Pepe Marcos’ film delivers all three.
Is it "top" tier? Only in the sense that for fans of transgressive world cinema, this film sits atop the pyramid of notorious movies you have to see to believe. Just don't watch it with your parents.
Rating: ★★½ (2.5/5) – Historically significant, artistically messy, but utterly unique.
Have you seen The Indecent Woman (1991)? Share your review in the IMDb comments section—but be warned, the debate over its "top" status is more entertaining than the film itself.
As of April 2026, " The Indecent Woman " (1991)—originally titled De onfatsoenlijke vrouw—remains a notable, if divisive, entry in the Dutch erotic thriller genre. It holds a weighted IMDb rating of 5.3/10 based on approximately 500 user ratings. Film Overview
Directed by Ben Verbong, the film is a psychological drama that explores themes of repressed desire and the loss of control. It was released on April 26, 1991, in the Netherlands.
Plot: Emilia, a violinist with a stable marriage and a young daughter, becomes obsessed with a mysterious man named Leon who is buying her deceased mother's house. They enter a kinky "game" where they act out erotic fantasies until one says "enough". Primary Cast: José Way as Emilia (her only film credit) Huub Stapel as Leon
Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh as Charles (Emilia's husband) Critical & Audience Reception
The film's "top" status is largely related to its reputation as a campy or quintessential Dutch take on the erotic thriller rather than critical acclaim. The Indecent Woman (1991) - IMDb the indecent woman 1991 imdb top
This guide provides an overview of The Indecent Woman (De onfatsoenlijke vrouw), a 1991 Dutch erotic thriller directed by Ben Verbong. While it holds a modest IMDb rating, it remains a notable example of early '90s European adult drama. Film Overview Original Title: De onfatsoenlijke vrouw Release Date: April 26, 1991 (Netherlands) IMDb Rating: 5.3/10 (based on approximately 492 ratings) Genre: Drama, Romance, Thriller Run Time: 1 hour 35 minutes Plot Summary
Emilia (José Way), a violinist with a stable marriage and a young daughter, finds her life upended after a chance encounter. While visiting her deceased mother's house, she meets Leon (Huub Stapel), who entered the property under the guise of a potential buyer. This sparks a kinky and intense love affair that forces Emilia to confront the tension between her domestic restraints and her deepest, often contradictory, fantasies. Key Cast José Way Huub Stapel Leon (The Lover) Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh Charles (The Husband) Lydia van Nergena Anna (The Daughter) Source: IMDb Full Cast & Crew Parental Guide & Content
According to the IMDb Parent's Guide, the film is generally rated for viewers aged 16 and older.
Sex & Nudity: The film features strong erotic themes and sexual tension.
Atmosphere: It is characterized by its "heady brew" of desire and the psychological danger of losing control. Context in 1991
While The Indecent Woman was a niche European release, 1991 was a massive year for global cinema. For comparison, the top-rated and highest-grossing films that year included Terminator 2: Judgment Day and The Silence of the Lambs. The Indecent Woman (1991) - IMDb
It looks like you're asking for a review of a film titled The Indecent Woman (1991), but there is no widely known movie by that exact name in the IMDb Top 250 or major databases.
A few possibilities:
IMDb Top 250 – This list contains critically acclaimed films (e.g., The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather). No film called The Indecent Woman has ever been on it. If you landed on this article by searching
Possible misremembered title – If you recall a 1991 drama/thriller about a woman in a compromising situation, consider:
If you find the correct IMDb link, I’d be happy to write a detailed review based on plot, acting, direction, and cultural impact.
Would you like help identifying the film instead?
The Indecent Woman (original title: De onfatsoenlijke vrouw ), released in April 1991, is a Dutch erotic thriller directed by Ben Verbong . The film currently holds a weighted IMDb rating of 5.3/10 based on roughly 500 user ratings. Core Overview The film stars
as Emilia, a violinist living in Amsterdam who appears to have a stable, happy life with her husband, Charles ( Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh
), and their young daughter, Anna. The plot is set in motion when Emilia attempts to sell her deceased mother's home. She encounters a mysterious potential buyer named Leon ( Huub Stapel
), who enters the house while she is changing. This meeting sparks a kinky and obsessive affair governed by the rule that they can indulge in any fantasy until one of them says "enough". Thematic Elements The Duality of Control:
The film explores the tension between a character's desire to loosen societal restraints and the terrifying reality of losing total control. Repressed Desires:
Emilia’s descent from a "steady" life into a "berserk" game of seduction highlights the awakening of hidden sexual identities. Visual Style: Have you seen The Indecent Woman (1991)
Critics have noted the film's distinct aesthetic, often "drenched in sepia tones," which sets it apart from more mainstream erotic thrillers of the early 90s. Critical and Audience Reception
The film has received polarizing feedback, which is reflected in its middling IMDb score: Style over Substance: Some critics, such as Adrian Martin
, described it as an "arthouse soap opera" that uses intellectual references—like an opening quote from philosopher Georges Bataille—to market a banal tale of adultery as high art. Performance Critiques:
While some viewers found José Way’s performance credible and atmospheric, others labeled her delivery as "wooden". Interestingly, this remains José Way’s only credited film role. Plot Limitations: A common complaint among audience reviewers on Letterboxd
is that the film feels overstretched, taking an hour and a half to tell a story that could have been resolved in much less time. Production Credits The Indecent Woman (1991) - Ratings - IMDb
The Indecent Woman (original Dutch title: De onfatsoenlijke vrouw
) is a 1991 erotic thriller and psychological drama from the Netherlands. Directed by Ben Verbong
, the film explores themes of infidelity, sexual obsession, and the breakdown of a stable domestic life. Movie Overview Release Date: April 26, 1991 (Netherlands). 1 hour and 35 minutes. Drama, Romance, Thriller. IMDb Rating: 5.3/10 based on approximately 491 ratings. Cast & Crew Ben Verbong
Ben Verbong, Jean van de Velde, Peter Märthesheimer, Pea Fröhlich, and Marianna Dikker. Lead Cast: as Emilia. Huub Stapel as Leon (the lover). Coen van Vrijberghe de Coningh as Charles (the husband). Composed by Nicola Piovani The Indecent Woman (1991) - IMDb
The most famous "Indecent" title in cinema is Adrian Lyne’s Indecent Proposal (1993) starring Robert Redford, Demi Moore, and Woody Harrelson. That film is about a millionaire who offers a desperate couple $1 million for one night with the wife. It is not from 1991.
However, the emotional weight and cultural footprint of Indecent Proposal often bleed into searches for similar 1991 films. If you combine the word "Indecent" with "Woman" and the year 1991, your brain may be reaching for the actual 1991 film that defined the "dangerous woman" trope: Thelma & Louise.