In Hollywood, graphic violence tends to be more acceptable than sex or nudity in films. America’s MPAA slaps erotic films likeShameandShowgirls(both with relatively little violence) with the dreaded X or (more recently)NC-17 rating, while the entireSawfranchise receives a more palatable R despite its gratuitous gore. Butsome horror films mix sex and nudity with violence, creating an entirely different kind of boundary-pushing movie-going experience.
Sex scenes in horror films can advance the narrative, aim to titillate audiences or make them uncomfortable, or signify the death of a “rule-breaking” (according toScream) character. Most films will only include a brief scene of intimacy, but others lean into the taboo (at least according to the MPAA) of sex and nudity.These horror films are sexyandgraphic,making for an uncomfortable or awkward time if watched with parents.
10’Don’t Look Now' (1973)
Directed by Nicolas Roeg
InDon’t Look Now,Julie ChristieandDonald Sutherlandstar as a grieving couple after their young daughter drowns. Thisunderrated 1970s horrorfeatures one of the most realistic scenes of love-making in a four-minute montage set to a lilting score. Intercut with the couple getting dressed afterward,the scene highlights the couple finally reconnecting after tragedy.
The love scene inDon’t Look Nowis so realistic that it inspired an urban legend that the actors were not “acting”–Sutherland claims this legend is false. While the rest of the movie is a psychological roller coaster that is worth a watch – complete with a memorable shock ending – maybe step out for a long bathroom break if you’re watching with your parents and this scene comes on.
Don’t Look Nowis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
Rent on Amazon
9’The Hunger' (1983)
Directed by Tony Scott
There’s something inherently sexy aboutvampire movies;the act of blood-sucking often highlights an intimate power dynamic between predator and prey. 1983’s erotic horrorThe Hungeris no exception. Femme fataleCatherine Deneuvestars as Miriam, a decades-old vampire searching for a new companion after her old one (played byDavid Bowie) ages and loses her interest. With only a 59% critics score on Rotten Tomatoes,The Hungeris remembered more for its style than its substance.
With bold visuals that later influencedBryan Fuller’s dreamlike violence inHannibal,The Hungerfollows Miriam as she seduces her new prey,Susan Sarandon’s Sarah. The love scene isn’t too gratuitous, lingering on a topless Sarandon as Deneuve slinks around her, but it might drain viewers of color if in the presence of family.The Hungerlater gained a cult following for its LGBTQ+ themes and gothic culture.
The Hungeris available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
8’Cam' (2018)
Directed by Daniel Goldhaber
InCam,Madeline Brewerstars as Alice, a camgirl who mixes gory special effects into her adults-only streams. Her life and career get upended when a supernatural look-alike steals Alice’s channel,resulting in double the nudity and double the gore.Based on writerIsa Mazzei’s past adult career,Camfeatures a look inside the industry, including endurance-test-like sessions with sex toys to “take the lead” over other performers.
Camis an enjoyable supernatural horror centering aroundsocial media obsessionsand doing anything it takes for popularity and money. Despite a hole-filled plot,the sexy cam streams and the challenges the characters take on might make viewers blush or need a cold shower.The premise is enough to raise the eyebrows of more conservative folks, so the sexuality and nudity presented might push them too far.
Camis available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
Watch on Netflix
7’Species' (1995)
Directed by Roger Donaldson
Natasha Henstridgestars as Sil, a gorgeous alien life form intent on taking over the world, incampy sci-fischlockfestSpecies. The acting is not very good despite featuring several Oscar® winners (Ben Kingsley,Forest Whitaker); really, there’s really only one reason to watch this film.Full of nudity and gore,Speciesfollows Sil as she attempts to get impregnated by several different men before killing them, and the scientists who are trying to stop her.
Sil spends most of the film topless or in a bra, and she experiences visions of her true alien form mating with another.These dreamlike visions feature quality creature design,but also raise eyebrows when tentacles sprout from…interesting places.Speciesis ludicrous and gory fun that spawned a franchise, but the focus on sex might make viewers decide to watch this popcorn flick without the folks.
Speciesis available to stream on MAX in the U.S.
Watch on MAX
6’Splice' (2009)
Directed by Vincenzo Natali
InVincenzo Natali’s (Cube) sexy sci-fi horrorSplice, scientists Clive and Elsa (Adrien BrodyandSarah Polley) create the human-animal hybrid Dren (Delphine Chaneac).The sci-fi elements inSpliceare delightfully gruesome, but the sexuality might make it an uncomfortable watch for some.After Clive and Elsa form father/mother bonds with Dren, the family dynamic veers into the Electra complex when Dren seduces Clive after being mutilated by Elsa out of jealousy.
Splicepushes the sex and violence even further in the third actwith multiple murders and Dren’s predator behavior. Due to her genetically enhanced DNA, Dren transforms into a male and forces himself upon Elsa, resulting in a pregnancy and several questions about morality. From its romantic interlude between “father” and creation to its climax of sexual violence,Spliceshould probably not be watched with parents. At a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, critics lauded the well-acted characters and smart concepts, but audiences (giving the film a 37%) were less impressed with the bizarre and rushedmonster-moviefinale.
Spliceis available to rent on Amazon in the U.S.
5’The Love Witch' (2016)
Directed by Anna Biller
The Love Witchis amodern 1970s throwbackthat follows witch Elaine, whose love potions fail in gruesome fashion. After her husband’s passing – was he murdered? – Elaine attempts to find a new lover, but the men turn clingy after spending the night with her, proving to be a fatal set-back.The dreamy technicolor palette highlights Elaine’s sexual encounters with bewitched men– and the bright, bloody results when they turn too obsessed for her liking.
The entire runtime ofThe Love Witch– as blatantly spelled (pun intended) out in the title – is devoted to love and sex. While there is violence, it is not super gruesome; instead,the camera lingers on Elaine dancing seductively, or on nude ritual participants.The Love Witchmakes for an enticing watch with someone you would like to seduce, not with family members. Critics fell underThe Love Witch’s spell, giving it a 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and doting on the lead performance bySamantha Robinson.
The Love Witch
A modern-day witch uses spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her, with deadly consequences.
The Love Witchis available to stream on Peacock in the U.S.
Watch on Peacock
4’Teeth' (2007)
Directed by Mitchell Lichtenstein
Teethis an underrated 2007horror-comedystarringJess WeixlerasDawn O’Keefe, a young girl who discovers that she hasvagina dentata(teeth in her vagina) that “activate,” or bite, when threatened.Based on the concept alone, it should be apparent that this is not one to watch with the folks – and you should add to that list any brothers, cousins, or even doctors that happen to be male. An especially cringe-worthy scene between a dog and his best friend’s privates will have men squirming in their seats.
Teethis ultimately a fun revenge film; Dawn’sdentataget the better of anyone she doesn’t want to touch her and the gore effects are wince-inducing.But the film also portrays almost every male character as an untrustworthy sexual predator,even Dawn’s supposed friends, which is disappointing. A tongue-in-cheeklesson in consent,Teethis definitely worth a watch for its originality and feminist spin on the horror genre, just maybe not in mixed company.
Teethis available to stream on Showtime in the U.S.
Watch on Showtime
3’X' (2022)
Directed by Ti West
InTi West’s celebrated film, and the first of an intended trilogy,Xfollows a movie crew to an elderly couple’s farm to make an adult film. In a dual role, recent scream queenMia Gothplays young starlet Maxine and aged Pearl, who doesn’t take kindly to promiscuity. Given its plot,Xfeatures plenty of sex and nudity – male and female, young and old – carefully blended into its explicit violence.
Xis a successful throwback to the exploitation films of the 1970s, and an entertaining slasher in its own right.Audiences will get an R-rated eyeful during the adult film scenes,butXnever turns into an actual adult movie. Viewers might cringe like Maxine, however, when Pearl convinces her husband Howard to make love to her while Maxine hides beneath the bed. It’s one thing to know (and perfectly normal) that an older generation has sex, but it’s different when watching it on screen.
In 1979, a group of young filmmakers set out to make an adult film in rural Texas, but when their reclusive, elderly hosts catch them in the act, the cast find themselves fighting for their lives.
Xis available to stream on Amazon Prime in the U.S.
Watch on Amazon Prime
2’Nurse 3D' (2013)
Directed by Douglas Aarniokoski
In erotic horror thrillerNurse 3D, seductress Abby (Paz de la Huerta) works as a nurse by day and kills by night. She targets cheating men using her sexuality to lure them in. Withgratuitous amounts of nudity and leaning into its grindhouse style– Abby sometimes has full conversations while not wearing pants –Nurse 3Demphasizes Abby as a dangerous femme fatale.
In addition to being a serial killer, Abby becomes obsessed with a fellow nurse (Katrina Bowden, frommeta-horrorcult favoriteTucker and Dale vs Evil) and preys upon her naïveté in a drug-induced sex scene. While critics enjoyedNurse 3Dfor the wild sleaze it was, they also wished de la Huerta took more pleasure in her wicked role.Nurse 3Dis an entertaining movie that understands what it is: a graphic melodrama full of sex and murder.But it isnota film to recommend on a family movie night.
Nurse 3Dis available to stream on Amazon Prime in the U.S.
1’Antichrist' (2009)
Directed by Lars von Trier
Lars von Trier’s difficult-to-watchAntichristshows viewers right away that it is not a good film to view with parents. It opens with a silent (save for the classical score) montage of a couple having sex while their infant child tragically falls out of a window.Von Trier cast actual adult film stars for this scene, and the camera lingers on intimate body parts in black-and-white, slow-motion close-ups.Juxtaposed with the disaster happening so close-by, the love scene is used to plant the seed of guilt “She” (Charlotte Gainsbourg) feels about her sexuality for the remaining runtime.
The film only ramps up from there.Antichrist’s whole premise revolves around therapist “He” (Willem Dafoe) working with his wife through the grief and guilt they both feel due to the incident.The insane third act culminates in gruesome sexual violence and explicit self-mutilation, superbly performed by Gainsbourg and Dafoe. Controversial still,Antichristis a challenging movie to sit through alone, and definitely not one to watch with parents.
Antichrist
A grieving couple retreat to their cabin in the woods, hoping to repair their broken hearts and troubled marriage, but nature takes its course and things go from bad to worse.
