In the introduction on the Yellow Veil Blu-ray, the director notes this isn't supposed to represent a healthy BDSM relationship (though this should be obvious to anyone outside the literalists that litter Letterboxd).

I understand wanting to have our beliefs validated, but opinion-based BS with no basis in reality ain't it, friends.

And a super-special place in Hell for the jackholes who rack up thousands of likes/reposts from reposting mouth-breathing political memes.

I didn't even care much for the movie, but was able to retain that pivotal plot point for the duration...