A sensual, psychological drama of hidden secrets
“Exotica” is the title and the movie’s primary location — a Toronto nightclub designed to create a dreamlike atmosphere where young women dance for and talk to male clients at small, separate tables without breaking the club rule of “No touching.” The club offers men an opportunity to escape into an environment of sexual fantasy, provided they pay to engage one of the women at a private table.<br /><br />Above the stage and the tables, MC/DJ Eric (Elias Koteas) introduces the dancers with improvised, sensual patter that conjures the fantasies each of them is intended to symbolize. Though he seems in charge, it is Zoe (Arsinee Kkanjian), a pregnant woman who lives in an apartment behind the club, who is the actual boss of the establishment. From a series of one-way windows, she’s able to survey the action in the nightclub.<br /><br />Like the establishment, “Exotica” is a labyrinth, winding through several story lines and uncovering the dark secrets of characters who seem to have no connection with one another. It is ultimately revealed, however, that they are closely bound together.<br /><br />Most of the dancers at Exotica perform in various stages of undress. The specialty of Christina (Mia Kirschner), however, is being dressed like a proper schoolgirl and then flashing her naughtiness. She has a regular client, Francis (Bruce Greenwood), who pays her an hourly rate to “dance” seductively at his table. Though they do not touch, both find they meet a need in each other. Eric was once Christina’s lover. Now he watches jealously as she lingers for hours with Francis.<br /><br />A second storyline introduces Thomas (Don McKellar), a small-time smuggler of rare birds who tapes the fragile eggs in small containers close to his belly so he can elude Canadian Customs. As a front for his smuggling, Thomas runs a pet shop. He learns, coincidentally, that attending the ballet with a convenient extra ticket to sell is a good way to meet cute young men.<br /><br />Intermittently, we see a line of people spread out  and moving in unison over a hill and through a field of high grass. These curious scenes have no apparent relation to the two stories, yet pique our curiosity.<br /><br />Director Atom Egoyan gradually peels back layers of the story so we eventually discover how these characters are connected. This creates suspense as we try to figure where the film is heading. In flashbacks, the pieces fall artfully into place. Egoyan is adept at creating scenes that appear to be something they may not be. For instance, we see Francis drop off young Tracey (Sarah Polley) near a seedy strip mall and hand her $20 before she gets out of the car, encouraging the viewer to think the worst. This technique keeps us guessing, and sustains dramatic tension.<br /><br />Like the Exotica club, the film draws upon our voyeuristic tendencies as we watch the enigmatic characters with fascination. They all have hidden backstories motivating strange behaviors, and the appeal of the film is finding out what past events formed their personalities. Having different sets of characters in seemingly unrelated stories unfold simultaneously can be confusing at first but, rather than alienating us, draws us in to learn more.<br /><br />Bonus materials on the director-approved Region A Criterion Collection Special Edition R-rated Blu-ray include:<br />Audio commentary featuring Atom Egoyan and composer Mychael Danna<br />New conversation between Egoyan and filmmaker and actor Sarah Polley<br />Calendar, a 1993 feature film by Egoyan with new introduction<br />Peep Show, a 1981 short film by Egoyan<br />En passant, a 1991 short film by Egoyan featuring Maury Chaykin and Arsinee Khanjian<br />Artaud Double Bill, a 2007 short film by Egoyan<br />Audio from Exotica’s 1994 Cannes press conference<br />Booklet with a critical essay<br /><br />“Exotica” takes its time filling in backstories so we can figure out how a collection of diverse characters connect. It deals with two distinct worlds, the real one and the artificial one established within the four walls of a gentlemen’s club. It employs eroticism as a metaphor for loneliness, alienation, and desperation. Though the title suggests X-rated content, the film is actually a well crafted psychological drama.
The movie title "Exotica (The Criterion Collection) [Blu-ray]," available on Movies & TV, has received an average rating of 4.5 from 34 reviewers. 
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 {"Genre": "Drama", "Format": "Blu-ray, Subtitled", "Contributor": "Atom Egoyan, Arsin\u00e9e Khanjian, Elias Koteas, David Hemblen, Victor Garber, Don McKellar, Calvin Green, Sarah Polley, Bruce Greenwood, Mia Kirshner, Jack BlumAtom Egoyan, Arsin\u00e9e Khanjian, Elias Koteas, David Hemblen, Victor Garber, Don McKellar, Calvin Green, Sarah Polley, Bruce Greenwood, Mia Kirshner, Jack Blum  See more", "Language": "English", "MPAA rating": "R (Restricted)", "Package Dimensions": "6.61 x 5.35 x 0.55 inches; 3.21 Ounces", "Director": "Atom Egoyan", "Media Format": "Blu-ray, Subtitled", "Release date": "September 20, 2022", "Actors": "Bruce Greenwood, Mia Kirshner, Don McKellar, Elias Koteas, Arsin\u00e9e Khanjian", "Studio": "The Criterion Collection", "Country of Origin": "USA", "Number of discs": "1"}

Here is a brief synopsis of the title : One of the defining independent films of the 1990s, Atom Egoyan’s mesmerizing international breakthrough.