‘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. Combating social nervousness and despair, Paul finds salvation by means of cleansing properties, particularly in the event that they belong to ‘bossy’ ladies. The onerous work, excessive requirements and submissive relationships present an intriguing backdrop to an endearing portrait of self-realisation that ought to entice additional pageant 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 despair. But there are solely the sketchiest of particulars supplied on his previous life; Cote chooses to concentrate on the place he goes from right here. The Paul we see is filled with positivity, and that perspective permeates a documentary that usually embraces the ability of change.

Berlin common Côté (That Form Of Summer time, Social Hygiene) initially establishes Paul as an remoted, solitary determine. We see him in stark white rooms, empty flats and prolonged corridors. Even outdoor, he wanders quiet Montreal streets lined in pristine white snow. His social interactions come from cleansing properties the place he can take delight in his capacity to scrub dishes, blitz loos and clear cookers till every thing sparkles like new.

We additionally study that his need to seek out essentially 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 be sure and gagged, punished, spanked and informed precisely what to do. “I clear homes to serve ladies, “ 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 lowering emotions of hysteria. The footage from his cell phone is included into the movie, and in addition reveals the best way by which he turns into a extra achieved and considerate filmmaker alongside the best way.

Even when he’s used as a comfortable foot stool by one lady, or made to decorate as a unicorn in a Christmas encounter, Paul is rarely 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 are not any fast fixes right here, simply the sluggish 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 would possibly make of the documentary and Paul merely replies that he won’t encourage them to see it.

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