Psychosexual Thrillers for the Horny and Disturbed
There’s been surge in strange and sexy cinema lately, with the release of Babygirl and the teasing of the new Wuthering Heights receiving a mixed reception from audiences. A common critique is: “why is everything about sex these days?” Moral panic is nothing new to cinematic discourse. The psychosexual genre makes movie-watchers reflect on taboo, consequently making them uncomfortable, and, even more disturbingly so, think about things. To make you think and reflect on the creepy and horny, here’s seven films to add to your watchlist.
‘Anora’ is ‘All About Love’
In a neon-lit lap dance club, we meet Anora. She's topless and gyrating in slow-motion on top of a horny man. We hear Gary Barlow's vocals in "The Greatest Day" paired alongside this image. For those familiar with the song, it's a little jarring, but amusing. Here, Sean Baker sets the tone for Anora: glittering, extravagant, absurd, and unexpectedly poignant.
‘The Substance’, the Abzorbaloff, and the TV Show ‘Botched’
Have you tried The Substance? It's changed the lives of those that have, or at least those that are willing to admit to it. There's an element of stubbornness to the discourse over this film, with many turning their noses up at its repulsive contents. Reviews are mixed, filmmaker Coralie Fargeat has been clear with her intention, and there are echoes of a David Tennant era episode of Doctor Who to The Substance's third act. If you didn't quite understand the significance of Margaret Qualley's butt in this squelchy body horror, then the rest of its meaning is bound to be lost on you.
Films to Help You Understand Consent
We don't stop learning about sex when we leave school. The vast majority of us will probably learn about it once we're adults, fumbling around in other people's pants. It's not too late to improve your understanding of consent and learn how to be a better sexual partner -- and whilst some films (both pornographic and not) are certainly not helpful in providing this guidance, some are.
‘Priscilla’ Balances the Perspective on Elvis Presley
You'd think, from the Google Reviews of Priscilla, that Sofia Coppola had directed a hit-piece on Elvis Presley. According to these audience reviews, Coppola has tried to "seduce her audience" with a "feminist anti-male social agenda." Apparently, Priscilla fails to mention that "Elvis was entrapped by Priscilla [sic] family they asked to be transferred to where he was stationed and arranged meeting with their daughter read child bride book then blackmailed Elvis with exposure if he did not marry their daughter since Elvis did have intimate relations with her." It has both "an excruciatingly slow pace" but also "[r]ushes through without continuity." Most importantly, "Elvis was tall at 6 foot but this much taller actor at 6'5 seems chosen for manipulative reasons..."
Jacob Elordi: too tall to play Elvis. The b*stard.
‘Saltburn’: A Class Satire by the Privileged
If you haven't already heard, there's a scene in Saltburn where Barry Keoghan sucks Jacob Elordi's c*m out of a bathtub. If you were imagining it how I was, you were thinking that there's just a bit of c*m floating on the water after he's done bathing and Barry takes a delicate sip from the top. Revolting, but not so bad you'd want to wash your eyes out. Oh no. It's not that simple. The water has already drained from the tub. Barry presses his lips to the plughole and slurps. Whatever semen remains, he savours it. Nose pressed against the tub, lips pursed, cheek rubbing against the porcelain - slurping. I'm not sure I've ever seen anyone quite so h*rny.
Feminist Horror to Enjoy This Christmas
Happy Holidays! I love it when women lose their sh*t. As a woman who's lost her sh*t many times in her 24 years, I truly feel seen when a girl on screen lets her innermost rage run rampant. Since it's that time of year when we all spread some festive joy and whimsy, I thought: what could be better than recommending some feminist horror films to watch whilst these dark and cold evenings pass by?
The Barbenheimer Experience
Barbenheimer is - dare I say it - the cinematic event of the year. Two films: one, a dramatic biopic following the creation of the atomic bomb by Robert Oppenheimer, the other a light-hearted family comedy about an iconic children's toy, both littered with notable actors and directed by critically acclaimed filmmakers. Some have compared it to the simultaneous 2008 release of The Dark Knight and Mamma Mia, but I'm not sure that quite compares to the cultural behemoth that has become Barbenheimer.