As 2020 began and the world closed down during the COVID-19 pandemic, streaming services soared as they became the most convenient window for escapism. Then, Netflix released 365 Days—a Polish erotic thriller film.

Its effect was immediate. Its dark themes and explicit eroticism made it a hot topic on social media, enhanced by the lockdown. Panned by critics but loved by audiences, the film made way for the novels that inspired them to get an English release.