Netflix’s ‘Romance Doll’: A Different Take on the Sex Doll Industry
Netflix’s ‘Romance Doll’ is unlike other films about the production of sex dolls. Instead of focusing on the loneliness or social aspects tied to sex dolls, ‘Romance Doll’ considers how having a profession in the sex doll industry can impact one’s personal relationships. The film follows protagonist Tetsuo, as he starts working in a small business producing sex dolls. He meets Sonoko, who he secretly uses as a model for the dolls. As Tetsuo immerses himself more into his craft, his relationship with Sonoko becomes strained which acts as a reflection of Japanese society and work culture. While other films about sex dolls emphasize their protagonist’s loneliness, ‘Romance Doll’ focuses on how their creator negotiates his own relationships after getting too immersed in his job and struggling to separate reality and ideals.
‘Romance Doll’ starts on a chilling note, with a young woman approaching the brink of death. We then rewind to 10 years ago, when Tetsuo and Sonoko first meet. Their relationship never had a stable foundation to begin with because it was essentially built on lies, as Sonoko was not aware that she was hired by a company that produces sex dolls. On the day that they first meet, Tetsuo immediately confesses his love for Sonoko, and they start a fairytale-like romance. Eventually, they get married, but Tetsuo still keeps his occupation a secret from Sonoko. It soon spirals into unhappiness as there is a layer of mistrust in their relationship that cannot be easily undone.
Beyond providing insight into the sex doll industry and its production processes, ‘Romance Doll’ considers how sex dolls can create an idealization of a real-life person that can be dangerous when it comes to personal relationships. In one scene, Tetsuo and Sonoko are about to have sexual intercourse, but Tetsuo freezes up and simply lies on Sonoko. This demonstrates how immersed Tetsuo has become in his work and how it affects his relationship with her, since the sex doll he produces is based on Sonoko’s body. The boundary between what is real and what is an idealized sexual object is blurred and he starts to lose sight of reality as his work clouds his mind. Furthermore, in the film, Tetsuo’s boss compares sex dolls to living women, saying that he hopes consumers can imagine the former “coming to life.” He stresses the importance of a life-like element in the production of sex dolls. In a way, this shows how sex dolls can fill the gap in a relationship – by portraying an idealization of something missing.
As the sex doll based on Sonoko gains popularity, Tetsuo starts working longer hours – typical of Japanese workers who are infamously subject to immense stress, driving many to commit suicide. His marriage suffers as a result, which is further perpetrated when it becomes evident that Sonoko has a secret as well. When Tetsuo messes up at work, he becomes frustrated and cheats on Sonoko. He feels remorseful, but the fact that she is also keeping a secret from him puts further strain on their relationship. This is a stark contrast to how content he was before their marriage, when his work was not as stressful. Tetsuo’s one night stand shows that the pressure at work is getting to his head since his job involves producing sex dolls based on his wife. However, when Tetsuo learns about Sonoko’s life-threatening secret, he improves as a person and becomes more ambitious at work, demonstrating how one’s job can both make and break relationships.
Following the reveal of Sonoko’s secret, Tetsuo decides to become a better husband and they become more understanding of each other. From this point onwards, the film no longer concentrates on sex dolls but instead on Tetsuo and Sonoko’s relationship as it heals. With their secrets now out in the open, they focus on enjoying their time together and being a married couple, repairing the relationship they had previously idealized in their own heads. Perhaps the reason why this film is titled ‘Romance Doll’ is because it emphasizes the romantic consequences of working in the sex doll industry above anything else, since the couple first meet because of Tetsuo’s job. What is initially thought to be a film about the sex doll industry and its social implications is actually a sentimental marriage drama. There is much to learn from this film about work, relationships, the transition to married life, compromise, and more.