4 Must-see films about sex that push some boundaries in 2024

​Contrary to claims that sex is disappearing from movies, there's been a surprising amount of sexual content on the big screen this year. While it's true that sex scenes have been less frequent in recent years, 2024 has already offered a diverse range of sexual portrayals, from passionate lesbian romance to a thrilling queer thriller. These films demonstrate that the multiplex is far from a sexless environment.

Last Summer

Catherine Breillat's Last Summer is a quintessential French film that delves into complex moral territory. Léa Drucker delivers a captivating performance as Anne, a seemingly perfect wife and mother whose life is turned upside down when her stepson moves in. The film explores themes of desire, morality, and the blurred lines between good and evil. Anne's relationship with the young man is ambiguous, leaving viewers to question her motives and the nature of her actions. Breillat masterfully avoids easy answers, presenting a morally complex character study that lingers in the mind long after the credits roll.

Last Summer is a remake of the Danish film Queen of Hearts, which was a bit more sexually explicit than the new one. Breillat's approach to sexuality is as unconventional as the film's taboo subject matter. By focusing on facial expressions rather than explicit imagery, she forces viewers to confront the emotional and psychological complexities of the characters' actions. Last Summer is a deliberate provocation, refusing easy answers or moralizing. Instead, it invites contemplation on desire, guilt, and the blurred lines of morality. The film's restrained yet intense atmosphere is reminiscent of a certain era of provocative cinema, making it a thought-provoking departure from today's more sensationalist fare.

Love Lies Bleeding

Sex is an integral part of the film's gritty realism and character development. The erotic tension between Lou and Jackie, grounded in the gym environment, is essential to establishing their intense bond. Director Rose Glass skillfully uses sex to explore the physical and emotional connection between the characters, creating visually striking and provocative sequences. The film's exploration of sexuality adds depth to the narrative and contributes to the overall atmosphere. As the pair are still getting to know each other, Lou offers Jackie what she claims is some leftover steroids, and after one of them administrates it to the other, they are making out. What follows is sweaty, messy sex in a romantic but still exciting atmosphere where nothing else matters except pleasure. One of the most erotic scenes happens when Lou asks Jackie to explain the way she prefers to masturbate. Jackie stands and Lou watches closely to her demo, and they share this incredible intimacy between them. 

Love Lies Bleeding features intense, yet brief erotic scenes. This approach distinguishes the film's portrayal of sexuality from gratuitous depictions. The powerful physical connection between the characters is crucial to understanding Lou's choices as Jackie's escalating rage takes over the narrative. The film's gripping intensity is established early on, captivating the audience throughout. Ultimately, Love Lies Bleeding is a masterful exploration of eroticism on screen.

Birder

Nate Dushku's low-budget film, Birder, is a raw and sexually explicit thriller set in a clothing-optional queer campground. The movie depicts a serial killer preying on the vulnerable community, offering a critical commentary on the potential dangers within anonymous social settings. Despite its low budget, Birder challenges traditional notions of cinematic quality, recalling the gritty style of early 1990s queer cinema. The film presents a candid portrayal of contemporary queer life, showcasing both its openness and its inherent risks.

Challengers

While explicit sex was once a taboo in film, leading to controversy in the 80s and 90s, the decision to omit a sex scene in the 2017 movie "Call Me by Your Name" sparked intense debate. Director Luca Guadagnino justified this choice, claiming it was a respectful approach to the characters' intimacy. However, many questioned if his decision stemmed from discomfort with portraying gay sexuality, especially considering the film's more explicit heterosexual scenes.

Challengers create some heat around it, especially because of its cast: Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist. The movie gets explicit by their kissing because it’s quite passionate and makes you think that both male characters are in love with Zendaya. Not so much with each other, but that raises some brows and questions. In the scene where tennis star Tashi visits the hotel room of her best friends Patrick and Art, she tells them to kiss, and they do. Which seems completely fine and normal for them and they are comfortable with each other. They are still friends until Tashi arrives between them. The story is less focused on her individual relationships than the one the two men share. This is a movie about intimacy among men—including sexual contact. And it’s also about the extent to which these characters know each other, the way they look at each other, their dynamic, and their friendship.