You probably remember the premise of the 2017 Netflix hit What Happened to Monday. It's a dystopian thriller where Noomi Rapace plays seven identical sisters living in a world with a strict one-child policy. They share a single identity, Karen Settman, and each girl only goes outside on the day of the week she’s named after. It is a high-concept, gritty sci-fi flick. But for a lot of viewers, the conversation often circles back to one specific, high-tension moment: the What Happened to Monday sex scene.
It isn’t just a gratuitous Hollywood moment. Honestly, it’s one of the most technically complex sequences in recent sci-fi history because of how the director, Tommy Wirkola, had to navigate the "seven characters, one actress" problem.
The Technical Nightmare of the Monday Sex Scene
Let’s talk about the logistics. Noomi Rapace didn’t just play one lead; she played seven. When you see the character of Monday (or any of the sisters) interacting with Adrian, played by Marwan Kenzari, you’re seeing a masterclass in green-screen synchronization.
Most movies with clones use a "split-screen" or a "tennis ball on a stick" method. This was different. For the What Happened to Monday sex scene, the production used a motion-control camera system. This allowed the camera to repeat the exact same movement over and over again with millimeter precision. Rapace had to perform her side of the intimacy against nothing, or sometimes against a body double who would later be digitally removed.
It’s weirdly unromantic when you think about it. Imagine trying to convey deep emotional vulnerability while a crew of forty people adjusts motion sensors on your back.
The scene serves a massive narrative purpose. It’s the moment the audience realizes that the sisters aren't just a collective unit; they are individuals with secrets. Monday, who is supposed to be the most disciplined and "perfect" sister, is the one breaking the rules. She has a life. She has a boyfriend. She has a secret that threatens the survival of all six of her siblings.
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Why the Intimacy Felt Different
In many action movies, these scenes feel tacked on. Here, it’s the catalyst for the entire plot. If Monday hadn't fallen in love, she might not have made the choices she did—choices that, without spoiling the ending for the three people who haven't seen it, lead to a lot of blood.
The chemistry between Rapace and Kenzari had to be palpable to justify the high stakes. If the audience didn't believe they were in love, the "twist" later in the film would have fallen completely flat. Wirkola chose a raw, almost claustrophobic shooting style. The lighting is dim, the apartment feels small, and the focus is tight on their faces.
The Viral Nature of the Scene
Why does everyone keep searching for what happened to Monday sex scene years after the movie came out? Part of it is the "Noomi Rapace factor." She became a global icon after The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, known for her intense, transformative performances. Seeing her play seven different versions of herself was already a draw, but the vulnerability of Monday's character specifically struck a chord.
Also, let’s be real. The internet loves to dissect "how they did it" when it comes to visual effects. There are dozens of behind-the-scenes clips showing Rapace wearing an earpiece so she can hear her own pre-recorded dialogue from the other "sisters" while she’s filming.
- She used different perfumes for each sister to stay in character.
- The filming lasted months because every "group" scene had to be shot seven times.
- The intimacy scenes were among the last to be filmed to ensure the actors were comfortable.
It wasn't just about the nudity or the physical act. It was about the loss of the "collective" identity. In that room, she wasn't part of a seven-person rotation. She was just a woman.
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Addressing the Censorship Rumors
Every time a movie hits different international markets, rumors start flying about "deleted scenes" or "extended cuts." Regarding the What Happened to Monday sex scene, there have been persistent whispers that certain regions—specifically in the Middle East and parts of Asia—received a heavily edited version.
While Netflix generally keeps its original content consistent globally, local licensing deals for theatrical releases sometimes result in snips. However, the version most of us see on streaming is the director’s intended cut. There isn't some "secret" longer version hidden in a vault. The scene is exactly as long as it needs to be to establish Monday's motivation.
The Impact on Noomi Rapace’s Career
This movie was a grueling marathon for Rapace. She has spoken in interviews about how she nearly had a breakdown trying to keep the seven personalities separate. The Monday sex scene was particularly taxing because Monday is the "mask" the sisters all wear, yet in that moment, the mask is off.
It proved she could carry a movie—literally—by herself. While the film received mixed reviews from critics (sitting at around 57% on Rotten Tomatoes), the consensus was that Rapace was a powerhouse.
What You Should Take Away
If you're revisiting the film or watching it for the first time, look past the surface level of the What Happened to Monday sex scene. Look at the framing. Notice how the camera moves. Think about the fact that the person "Monday" is holding might not even have been there during the first three takes.
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It is a landmark in digital compositing and a pivotal moment of character development that turns a generic sci-fi flick into a tragic character study.
Practical Steps for Film Enthusiasts
If you want to understand the complexity of the What Happened to Monday sex scene or the film's production better, do this:
- Watch the "Making Of" Featurettes: Specifically look for the "Multi-Pass Photography" breakdowns. It explains how they matched Rapace's eyelines.
- Compare the Sisters: Rewatch the scene and then immediately jump to a scene featuring "Saturday" or "Tuesday." Notice how Rapace changes her posture and vocal fry.
- Check Out Director Tommy Wirkola’s Other Work: If you liked the gritty, unapologetic tone, his film Dead Snow or Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters shows his evolution in handling high-action VFX.
- Analyze the Script: Pay attention to the dialogue in the apartment. It’s the only time we see Monday without the burden of her sisters, which makes her eventual betrayal (or evolution, depending on how you see it) more understandable.
The scene remains a talking point because it represents the friction between our private desires and our public obligations. In Monday's world, a private life was a death sentence. In our world, it's just a damn good piece of filmmaking.