Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Lust Stories 3 Divides Viewers As Anthology Draws Mixed Reactions
Lust Stories 3 is a Netflix movie made up of four short stories.
Each story is directed by a different filmmaker.
The stories explore love, desire, relationships and things people may find difficult to say.
Viewers on X had very different opinions about the movie.
Some thought the writing was weak or the stories were uneven.
Many viewers especially praised the segment with Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan.
Other viewers enjoyed the movie or felt uncomfortable with its opening story.
Some also wanted the anthology to include a story focused on queer characters.
Netflix’s Lust Stories 3 premiered on September 18 with four stories directed by Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj.
Viewers on X praised some segments while criticizing the anthology’s writing, pacing and uneven quality.
Shakun Batra’s segment starring Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan was described by one viewer as the film’s best part.
Other reactions ranged from calling the anthology “pure cinema” to expressing zero excitement and discomfort with the opening story.
Some viewers questioned why an anthology about lust and desire did not include a queer-centered story.
- Who
- Netflix, the four filmmakers, the cast of Lust Stories 3 and viewers reacting on X.
- What
- Lust Stories 3, a four-part anthology about love, lust, intimacy and complicated relationships, received sharply divided reactions.
- When
- The anthology premiered on Netflix on September 18.
- Where
- The film is streaming on Netflix, with reactions appearing on X.
- Why
- Viewer responses differed according to the segment, performances and themes they connected with, while some questioned its lack of a queer-centered story.
Positive Viewer Reactions
Critical Viewer Reactions
Overall quality
Positive Viewer Reactions
Some viewers called Lust Stories 3 “pure cinema” and praised particular performances and segments.
Critical Viewer Reactions
Other viewers described the anthology as uneven, criticized its writing and said they had little excitement for it.
Shakun Batra’s segment
Positive Viewer Reactions
One viewer called the segment starring Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan the anthology’s best part and praised their performances.
Critical Viewer Reactions
The broader reaction to the anthology remained mixed, with praise for one segment not extending consistently to the others.
Representation
Positive Viewer Reactions
The anthology presents different stories about love, lust, relationships and repressed desire.
Critical Viewer Reactions
Some viewers questioned why none of the four stories centered on a queer relationship or character.
Opening story
Positive Viewer Reactions
Some viewers engaged with the anthology despite the differing tones and themes across its segments.
Critical Viewer Reactions
One viewer said the opening story made them feel especially uncomfortable.
- Platform
- Netflix
- Premiere date
- September 18
- Format
- Four-segment anthology
- Directors
- Vikramaditya Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra and Vishal Bhardwaj
- Praised segment
- Shakun Batra’s segment featuring Ali Fazal and Radhika Madan was called the best part by one viewer.
- Main themes
- Love, lust, intimacy, power, vulnerability, agency, compromise and repressed desire
- Key criticism
- Some viewers criticized the writing, unevenness and the absence of a queer-centered storyline.