Zalman King's Last Film Premieres on Cinemax

LAS VEGAS — Zalman King, the force behind “Two Moon Junction,” “9 ½ Weeks,” “Wild Orchid,” “The Red Shoe Diaries” — and essentially the E L James of the 80s — is now seeing the posthumous release of his final opus, “Pleasure or Pain.”

The film is slated to premier exclusively on Cinemax April 5, and will air a total of ten times until April 24.

Fetish darling Kayla-Jane Danger stars alongside Malena Morgan, Christos Vasilopoulos and Elle Alexandra in the erotic drama about a beautiful, young designer lured into a torrid and intense affair with a charismatic, successful man — a recurring theme in Zalman’s work.

“I’m so glad the movie is finally being released. It was an honor and definitely a pleasure to work with Zalman King,” Danger said of her experience with the director and producer, who passed away in 2012.

Danger wrote an adult novel based on King’s screenplay that debuted last year on Amazon as an eBook under her nom-de-plume, Kayla Jane. The eBook is now available on Smashwords in multiple formats.

“Although I have written other eBooks, this was definitely a work of love, in Zalman’s honor,” she said.

To check out the airing schedule for “Pleasure or Pain” on Cinemax, click here.

King's erotically charged “Nine ½ Weeks,” originally starring Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger, has been adapted into a porn parody by Adam & Eve Pictures. James Deen and Summer Brielle play the duo, embroiled in a dysfunctional, volatile power dynamic.      

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Erika Lust Reflects on Vanguard Legacy and the Right to Pleasure

Erika Lust has spent two decades defying assumptions about what porn can be. The Barcelona-based filmmaker and studio head has built a global reputation on a simple premise: that sex onscreen should feel human, ethical and emotionally resonant.

Tiffani Time Featured in Latest From Kink.com

Tiffani Time stars with Pierce Paris in an '80s-themed scene titled “Let’s Get Physical.”

Connie Perignon Fronts Latest From Brazzers

Connie Perignon stars with Will Pounder in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Angry Café Lay."

Avery Lust, Drake Von & Cherie DeVille Front Latest From TransAngels

Avery Lust, Drake Von, and multi-XMAs winner Cherie DeVille star in the latest release from TransAngels, titled “The Jizz Off.”

Eva Angelina, Angel Youngs & Rissa May Star in Latest From Deeper

Eva Angelina, Angel Youngs, and Rissa May star with Chocolate Rod in the latest release from Vixen Media Group studio imprint Deeper, titled “Strip Search.”

Phoenix Marie Leads Latest From MILFY

Phoenix Marie stars with director/performer Manuel Ferrara in a new airtight scene from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint MILFY.

Matthew Meier Talks Confidence, Chemistry and Acclaimed Craft

Matthew Meier is riding high. At the 2025 Euro XMAs, he not only took home a Best Sex Scene trophy for the second year in a row, but was also crowned Male Performer of the Year.

Penthouse Names Liana Love November's 'Pet of the Month'

Penthouse Magazine has named model Liana Love as Pet of the Month for November.

Blake Blossom, Scarlet Skies & Sky Wonderland Star in Blacked Orgy

Blake Blossom, Scarlet Skies, and Sky Wonderland star with Isiah Maxwell, Jax Slayher, and Hollywood Cash in the latest orgy release from Vixen Media Group (VMG) studio imprint Blacked.

Eve Sweet on Turning Sexual Energy Into Crowning Glory

‘I was literally crossing my fingers,” says Eve Sweet, recalling the moment just before her name echoed through the Theater Amsterdam and she walked onstage to be crowned 2025 Euro XMAs Female Performer of the Year. “I was thinking, ‘Please, I worked very hard for this.’”

Show More