365 Days Part 2 - What We Know So Far

"365 Days," also known as "365 Dni" and less officially as "the Polish 'Fifty Shades of Grey,'" caused something of a controversy when it dropped on Netflix last June after a cinematic release in Poland and a more limited run in the U.K. Based on a book by Blanka Lipińska, who also directed the movie and claims the story is 85% "real," the film was described (via Variety) as a modern-day "Beauty and the Beast" by cinematographer Bartek Cierlica, and it quickly became a fixture on Netflix's Top 10 lists in more than 90 countries (via Deadline). 

However, this was a movie that was eviscerated by critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the story of a Sicilian mafia member holding a woman captive and giving her a year to fall in love with him holds a 0% Tomatometer score, if you can believe that. Its Audience Score lies at 29%. Reviewers quoted on the site use phrases like "thoroughly terrible," "laughably offensive," and "an exercise in cinematic self-flagellation." Others have been quick to point out its toxic themes surrounding the romanticization of Stockholm Syndrome and rape culture.

Yet, there's a certain attractive steaminess about the movie that has to do with the chemistry (and all the BDSM sex) between its leads. And the fact that it did so well on Netflix has now made a Part 2 and a Part 3 possible as well. Here's what we know about the "365 Days" sequels so far.

While is there no specific release date set yet, a sequel for the romantic drama "365 Days" has been teased since June 2020, when the movie launched on Netflix and star Michele Morrone revealed the information in a personalized fan video for HalaHi, the Middle Eastern equivalent of Cameo (via TMZ). And writer Blanka Lipińska gave Oprah Daily a little preview of the movie's sequel in February. However, the films are now being produced under Netflix's Originals umbrella, which does change things up a bit.

Originally, Newsweek reported that filming on a sequel was meant to begin in August 2020 in Sicily but had been pushed back due to COVID-19 restrictions (via Oprah Daily). Deadline reported that filming was set to start filming in May 2021, with both sequels shooting back-to-back. The production would set up shop in Poland and then move to Italy. Then, multiple reports popped up around the web confirming that production began in earnest on June 29, 2021, in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland (via What's on Netflix).

Previously, the film might have been expected to have a theatrical run before arriving on a streaming service, but Netflix has basically cut out the middleman. Thus, the sequels' projected release date, set for 2022, will likely be worldwide straight to Netflix.

We know that, as Michele Morrone announced early on, the male lead is returning to the "365 Days" fold. Morrone plays Massimo, the gangster with a palatial home where he imprisons his love interest. And Anna-Maria Sieklucka will also reprise her female lead role as Laura, the subject of Massimo's romantic obsession. Magdalena Lamparska will be back as Olga, Laura's friend, as well. Other supporting cast members are also expected to return for the sequel.

There will be a new major character in Part 2, played by Italian actor Simone Susinna. His presence creates a love triangle in a somewhat absurd twist that defines the second movie. Behind the scenes, the film is being co-written by Blanka Lipińska, as the first one was. Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes, who directed the first movie, will also direct Part 2 (via Deadline).

The cliffhanger at the end of "365 Days" isn't much of a cliffhanger if you realize that there are two additional books in the series the movie is based on, meaning that it's pretty clear that Laura lives. In the second book, Massimo and Laura restart their life together. He finds out about her pregnancy, and they get married, but a major obstacle comes up when Marcelo "Nacho" Matos (Susinna) pulls a Massimo and kidnaps Laura. (Not this again!) So naturally, she falls for Nacho, too. Voilà! Instant love triangle. Laura and the baby's life are put in danger, and also there's something about Massimo having an evil twin. 

Honestly, it sounds like as much of a hot mess as the first film, maybe even more so — but the "hot" part is what's keeping fans coming back, and there's more of the same slated for Part 3 as well. However, Deadline speculates that with Netflix's oversight, some of the problematic themes from the first movie might be tempered with a more cautious approach. Fans will have to wait until next year to find out if that's the case.