Six months into 2024 and Thailand has already produced some of the region’s most talked-about films and television shows, including the tear-jerking How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and most recently, the taboo-shattering Doctor Climax. If you haven’t already watched the latter, here’s everything you need to know about the show.
Just released in June 2024, Netflix’s Doctor Climax is a comedy-drama starring Dr. Nat (Ter – Chantavit Dhanasevi) and Linda (Goy – Arachaporn Pokinpakorn). A skin doctor with a dream of being a columnist, Dr. Nat starts to write a sex column anonymously.
As he tackles taboo topics, from masturbation to fetishes, the popularity of the column skyrockets, which prompts conservative groups and other publications to try to uncover his identity. The main point of the story is that it’s set in the 1970s, at a time when the discussion of sex is a taboo subject, and women don’t really have that much liberty.
Is Doctor Climax based on a true story? Is Thailand really this conservative? Is this new Netflix show worth the watch? Find our guide below.
[Hero and featured image credit: Netflix]
A guide to watching Doctor Climax on Netflix: All your burning questions answered
Who is the director behind Doctor Climax? Are there other notable works from the director of Doctor Climax?
The show is helmed by Kongdej Jaturanrasmee and Pairach Khumwan. Jaturanrasmee is also the series’ screenwriter, and the behind the award-winning film Hunger. Khumwan was previously one of the directors behind Girl from Nowhere.
Other works you may know include Skin Trade (2015), an action drama about human trafficking starring Tony Jaa and Ron Perlman, as well as Pleasure Factory (2007), a docu-drama about the red-light district of Geylang, Singapore.
What other films or shows have Ter Chantavit and Goy Arachaporn starred in before?
Ter Chantavit has been in films that have hit the mainstream in Thailand and many other Asian countries. These works include Pee Mak (2013), Hello Stranger (2010), and One Day (2016).
Goy Arachaporn made her mainstream debut as she joined the cast of Hormones (2013-2015). She also recently released her own music, which was also a hit with the Thai audience.
Is Doctor Climax based on a true story?
Although the story is inspired by real sex columns from the 1970s, Doctor Climax is fictional.
How does the series being set in the 1970s impact the story?
1970s Thailand was a rough political time era with a coup d’état, economic hardships, and echoes of the ongoing cold war. While societal norms and conservative values are held tight in place, many are looking to break free and find their own voice.
Sex was not only a topic that was not publicly discussed, but also deemed a sort of embarrassing thing to bring up inside a household. Women were also not of as equal standing to men compared to modern standards.
How did Doctor Climax recreate 1970s Thailand?
The production crew and director brought up personal memories, and dug up interviews, photos, and movies set in that time, courtesy of the Thai Film Archive.
Is Thailand still conservative when it comes to sexual topics?
Definitely not as conservative as the 1970s, although the country still retains many conservative ideals. In 2019, a political party, as well as a few members of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission demanded the billboards advertising Netflix’s Sex Education be removed for “negatively affecting the youth.”
Is Doctor Climax just about sex?
Yes, and no. Sex is more than just about the act. The show touches on topics surrounding sex, such as masturbation, kinks, performance anxiety, sexually-transmitted diseases, and more. It offers a social commentary in a light manner.
How long does it take to binge Doctor Climax on Netflix?
The series, as of now, contains eight episodes in one season. Each episode is approximately an hour long, so binging Doctor Climax should take less than eight hours.
What are TV shows with similar themes to Doctor Climax?
The Believers (2024-) is centred around religious and conservative values in Thailand, and how to make money from them. Girl From Nowhere (2018-2019) looks at deep-rooted questions and taboos in the country. And interestingly, Bridgerton examines the topic of sex in the setting of a (fictional) bygone era.
Will there be a season 2 for Doctor Climax?
Season 2 of Doctor Climax is not confirmed. As the series came out in June 2024, it should be a while before Netflix considers another season. However, Doctor Climax is currently the most popular show on Netflix Thailand, so it is likely.
Doctor Climax premiered on Netflix on June 13, 2024. It is currently rated 7.1/10 on IMDb, and 7.7/10 on MyDramaList. The total run time for the first season is 459 minutes. Lifestyle Asia rates this film an 8/10.
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Written by
Vichayuth Chantan
Digital Writer, Drinks and Dining
Writer by day, skinny legend by night, "Kook" Vichayuth works closely with Bangkok's F&B industry. His hobbies include bar-hopping, catching up with friends, and silently judging you from across the room.
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