‘Paul’ review: Denis Côté doc explores the surprising benefits of submissive cleaning

Dir: Denis Côté. Canada. 2025. 87mins

Surrendering management is the one technique of taking cost in Paul, Denis Côté’s quirky, non-judgemental documentary which follows a person on a private journey in direction of higher psychological and bodily wellbeing. Preventing social nervousness and melancholy, Paul finds salvation by means of cleansing properties, particularly in the event that they belong to ‘bossy’ girls. The exhausting work, excessive requirements and submissive relationships present an intriguing backdrop to an endearing portrait of self-realisation that ought to entice additional competition curiosity, particularly from documentary occasions, following its Berlin Panorama debut.

 An endearing portrait of self-realisation 

Paul describes himself as “morbidly overweight, pre-diabetic and terrified to be seen in public”. In his early thirties, he has spent the previous decade coping with a deep melancholy. But there are solely the sketchiest of particulars provided on his previous life; Cote chooses to give attention to the place he goes from right here. The Paul we see is filled with positivity, and that perspective permeates a documentary that typically embraces the facility of change.

Berlin common Côté (That Form Of Summer season, Social Hygiene) initially establishes Paul as an remoted, solitary determine. We see him in stark white rooms, empty residences and prolonged corridors. Even outside, he wanders quiet Montreal streets coated in pristine white snow. His social interactions come from cleansing properties the place he can take delight in his potential to scrub dishes, blitz bogs and clear cookers till all the things sparkles like new.

We additionally be taught that his need to search out probably the most demanding shoppers has led him to market himself to dominatrices as Paul The Cleansing Simp. Sporting names like Miss Jasmine, Dahlia Savage and Donut Slut, the ladies are sometimes proven in profile, mirrored in a mirror or simply out of body the place they are often heard and never seen. Others are much less coy. 

Côté sensitively explores the complicated relationships that Paul has developed along with his 15 or so shoppers. He cleans however can also be certain and gagged, punished, spanked and informed precisely what to do. “I clear homes to serve girls, “ he explains, “which supplies me pleasure.” Côté seeks out the love within the relationships. The ladies are sometimes urging him to train extra, eat healthily and carry out a set of press-ups-or else! Their curiosity in him as a person turns into a type of remedy and even, in a single case, friendship. 

Paul paperwork his life in cheerful Instagram posts and movies detailing his weight reduction and reducing emotions of hysteria. The footage from his cell phone is integrated into the movie, and in addition reveals the best way by which he turns into a extra completed and considerate filmmaker alongside the best way.

Even when he’s used as a snug foot stool by one lady, or made to decorate as a unicorn in a Christmas encounter, Paul isn’t portrayed as an object of ridicule. Côté approaches him with a sometimes open thoughts, emphasising his affable nature and the advantages he attracts from all his experiences. There aren’t any fast fixes right here, simply the gradual progress that comes from day after day dedication. Paul begins to develop a social media following for his posts and a rising confidence in being himself. Questions are raised over what his clueless household may make of the documentary and Paul merely replies that he is not going to encourage them to see it.

Paul does meander a bit of at instances and dangers changing into repetitive as Paul is as soon as once more tied up or restrained. Largely, nevertheless, it stays partaking and presents a persuasive testimony to the sense of empowerment that may come from the unlikeliest of locations.