When does love turn into a power struggle? Or is the seemingly pure emotion we call love inherently about proving something to each other?
Netflix’s Fair Play explores the love of a couple working at the same investment firm, overlaying the cutthroat world of finance and workplace competition onto the dynamics of their relationship.
I found the concept of paralleling a couple’s journey with their career struggles incredibly creative. The ambition to climb the corporate ladder—both his and hers—and the changing dynamics of their relationship are portrayed with breathless intensity. As you watch the rhythm of two hearts beating in unison slowly fall out of sync, your own heartbeat quickens.
The film draws you into rooting for one side’s success. Amid the high-stakes risks of the finance world, you want one of them to move more securely, while also eagerly wondering how the relationship will evolve.
What I admire most about Fair Play is how authentically it portrays a woman’s place in a male-dominated industry, thanks to female director Chloe Domont’s perspective. Without exaggeration, Domont highlights the dangers a woman still faces as she climbs the career ladder today. She also starkly depicts how a woman’s success—even in the eyes of a partner who claims to love her—can be overshadowed by violence and resentment.
The film powerfully reminds us of the intense battles women internalize in both their careers and relationships—struggles we often forget but should never overlook.
For me, the film’s just ending brought a sense of relief, offering solace on behalf of women across the globe facing similar struggles.