“The Binding”: A Gripping Tale of Power, Faith, And Freedom Hits Digital Platforms
In this tense Israeli drama, 21-year-old Benyamin (Yoav Keren) starts fresh in the city. He works at a bar and lives in a small flat. His past holds dark memories – a strict conservative family and his brother’s tragic accident still haunt him.
Now free to be himself, Benyamin explores his desires through casual encounters. His preferences lean towards rough interactions, perhaps tied to his unresolved trauma. Even when romance blooms, he pushes boundaries further.
The bar owner, Avinoam (Shimon Mimran), takes Benyamin under his wing. What starts as fatherly guidance becomes more complex. Avinoam’s religious nationalist views clash with Benyamin’s lifestyle. The older man’s interest raises questions – is it protection or possession?
The film shifts into thriller territory when Avinoam’s “binding” takes a literal, frightening turn. Director Eyal Kantor weaves themes of faith, identity, and freedom into this power struggle between two men from different worlds.
The Binding marks the second part of Kantor’s trilogy about intimacy and loss. His previous work, Like Me, also starred Keren in a similar yet distinct role. Both films connect through shared themes and visual elements.
After success at international film festivals, The Binding is now available on digital platforms including AppleTV+, Google Play, and Vudu, distributed by Breaking Glass Pictures.
This thought-provoking drama offers a raw look at personal freedom, religious constraints, and the complex dynamics of mentorship gone wrong.
