Netflix’s New Erotic Thriller Is Dominating Globally, but Its IMDb Score Has Everyone Talking

Netflix has another unexpected global hit on its hands. The Mexican erotic thriller Desire has climbed to the top of the platform’s worldwide charts just days after its release on July 17, proving that curiosity and word of mouth can quickly turn a new title into a streaming sensation.

According to streaming data from FlixPatrol, the movie is currently one of the most-watched films on Netflix worldwide, where it has also reached the number one spot.

Despite its impressive success on the streaming charts, the film has received a much colder response from viewers. On IMDb, Desire currently holds a 4.3 out of 10 rating, with many users giving it five stars or less. The contrast between its popularity and its audience score has sparked conversations online, with many people wondering why so many subscribers are watching a movie that has received such mixed reviews.

Directed by Teresa Simone and written by Giulia Cardamone and Vanessa Miklos, Desire features a cast of Mexican and Spanish actors. Ludwika Paleta stars as Lucero, while Óscar Casas plays Matías and José María Yazpik appears as Fernando. Pilar Pascual and Leonardo Ortizgris also have important roles in the film.

The story follows Lucero, a successful lawyer who appears to have everything she could want. She has built a stable life and family, but behind closed doors she feels trapped in an unhappy marriage. Years of routine and emotional distance have left her feeling disconnected, and she begins searching for excitement outside her relationship.

Everything changes when she meets Matías, the young swimming coach who trains her daughter. At first, their conversations seem harmless, but the attraction between them grows stronger. Before long, Lucero begins a secret affair with him, believing she has finally found the passion missing from her life.

As the relationship becomes more intense, keeping the affair hidden becomes increasingly difficult. Lucero’s behavior starts to change, and the people around her begin noticing that something is different. While she seems happier and more energetic in some moments, she also becomes more unpredictable and emotionally unstable as her obsession with Matías grows.

The situation becomes even more complicated when Lucero’s daughter develops feelings for the same swimming coach, completely unaware that her mother is secretly involved with him. This creates a tense love triangle that pushes every character toward difficult choices and dangerous consequences.

According to the film’s official description, Desire blends elements of classic thrillers such as Fatal Attraction and Unfaithful, mixing forbidden romance with psychological drama and emotional tension. The movie focuses heavily on desire, betrayal, and the impact that hidden relationships can have on an entire family.

Audience reactions have been sharply divided since the film premiered. While some viewers have praised it as an entertaining thriller, others feel it never fully delivers on its premise. One IMDb user wrote, “I expected much more. It’s okay to kill some time.” Others have described the movie as “powerful” and “fun,” while many critics on the platform have called it “disappointing” or “boring.”

As of now, Desire has not received an official critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes, making audience opinions the main measure of its reception. Still, according to FlixPatrol, the movie’s streaming numbers continue to grow, showing that curiosity is often enough to turn a film into a worldwide success regardless of its ratings.

Whether viewers end up loving it or regretting the watch, Desire has already become one of Netflix’s biggest global hits of the moment, proving once again that streaming popularity does not always match audience scores.

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