Poliakoff set the story against the backdrop of 1980s London’s financial excess. The characters live in beautiful, sterile spaces — modernist apartments, glass-walled offices, empty museums. This emptiness mirrors their internal isolation. Richard and Natalie seek each other not out of pure passion, but out of a desperate need to feel something real in a world of surface-level success.
Close My Eyes remains a compelling watch for fans of Alan Rickman or Clive Owen. It is a slow-burn drama that captures a very specific time and mood. While the temptation to click the first "online translated" link is understandable, ensuring you are watching a safe, high-quality version will give the film the justice it deserves.
Disclaimer: This post is for informational purposes only. Always use trusted sources when streaming content online.
Dive into a hauntingly beautiful and controversial chapter of British cinema. Directed by Stephen Poliakoff Close My Eyes
is a psychological drama that explores the boundaries of obsession and taboo during a blistering English summer. The story follows Richard ( Clive Owen ) and his estranged sister Natalie ( Saskia Reeves
), who grew up apart following their parents' divorce. Years later, they reconnect in London. Natalie is now married to the wealthy and eccentric Sinclair Bryant ( Alan Rickman
), but a dangerous and intense affair begins between the siblings. As Richard becomes increasingly obsessed, the "perfect" life Natalie has built begins to fracture under the weight of their secret. Why Watch?
The 1991 British film Close My Eyes, written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff, is a haunting exploration of a taboo relationship set against the backdrop of a changing London. The story unfolds during a sweltering English summer, where the heat serves as a physical manifestation of the intense, forbidden passion between its leads. The Unfolding Affair
The narrative follows Richard (played by Clive Owen) and his older sister Natalie (played by Saskia Reeves), who grew up separately following their parents' divorce. Reconnecting as adults, an unconventional flirtation eventually crosses the line into an obsessive incestuous affair.
As their secret relationship deepens, it creates a volatile triangle with Natalie’s wealthy and eccentric husband, Sinclair (played by Alan Rickman). While Natalie eventually attempts to end the trysts, Richard becomes increasingly unhinged and addicted to their intimacy. Core Themes and Setting
The film opens in mid-1980s London during an economic boom. Richard (Clive Owen), a young urban planner, lives a detached, pleasure-seeking life. His older sister, Natalie (Saskia Reeves), left home years ago and now lives a comfortable but emotionally empty life in the suburbs with her wealthy husband, Sinclair (Alan Rickman), a cold, cynical art dealer.
When Richard and Natalie reunite at a family gathering, an immediate and uncomfortable attraction sparks. Their bond deepens as they spend secret afternoons together, exploring the city’s empty architecture (a hallmark of Poliakoff’s visual style). Eventually, they begin a full-blown affair. The film does not romanticize incest but rather presents it as an obsessive, isolating experience. Sinclair grows suspicious, leading to a tense and unforgettable confrontation. The ending — without giving too much away — is hauntingly ambiguous, leaving viewers to question whether some bonds are unbreakable even when society deems them monstrous.