Christian and Anastasia's relationship is steamier than ever in the (literally) panties-dropping second trailer for Fifty Shades Darker. Don't think you are in for more of the same in the sequel, just because Christian and Anastasia are having sex in an elevator, a shower, and pretty much wherever else the mood strikes, though. Fifty Shades Darker is adding a dash of mystery in the form of a woman from Christian's past, and her appearances in the latest trailer will give you major Fatal Attractions flashbacks. Let's hope Christian doesn't own any bunnies.
Back in April 2015, Universal films chairman Donna Langley told The Hollywood Reporter that 50 Shades Darker will be more of a thriller, and she is staying true to her word. In between all of those deliciously playful scenes of Christian and Anastasia rekindling their relationship are genuinely creepy moments of a woman following Anastasia, and in at least one instance, looming over the bed she shares with Christian. Add in Anastasia's overly touchy boss who is definitely up to something and you have a trailer packed with moments of tension and real suspense. So, who are these two newcomers menacing Christian and Anastasia? The books offer up a few hints.
The woman stalking the adventurous lovers is Leila Williams, played by Bella Heathcote. Unless the movie is planning to go off book, Leila is a former submissive of Christian's who is not exactly stable when she returns to his life. Anastasia was introduced to Christian's lavish world of money, parties, and BDSM in the first installment of the franchise, but the trailer suggests the sequel will be about how she deals with her lover's complicated past. As Kim Basinger's character tells Anastasia, she is not the first woman who has tried to save Christian Grey, and more than one of his former lovers will be causing major trouble for the duo as they try to have a real relationship sans contract.
In addition to Leila following Anastasia through the streets and popping up in Christian's apartment, there is the equally unsettling Jack Hyde insinuating himself into Anastasia's life. Eric Johnson plays Jack, who has zero sense of what personal space means. While he spends most of the trailer telling Anastasia she deserves to be respected, not kept, he does not feel like a real contender for her heart. This is in large part because he is constantly trapping her against doors and just generally being as inappropriate as possible.
Adding the twin mysteries of Leila and Jack to Fifty Shades Darker could ultimately make the film richer than its predecessor. Let's be real, no matter how hot they are together, you can only watch Anastasia and Christian have sex so many times before you start craving some plot to go along with the copious amounts of sexiness. Unraveling what went down between Leila and Christian, as well as what Jack's true motives are, will add some texture to the story. You still get all the Anastasia and Christian make-out scenes your heart desires, but the movie is serving up some much needed suspense to keep your brain as engaged as your heart.
Fifty Shades Darker hits theaters Feb. 14, 2017.
Images: Universal/YouTube (3)
