Sexuality is one of the crucial elements that has helped shape horror over time. Be it seductive vampire bites still frequently seen in the media today, or cannibalism as a form of all-consuming love, horror films often hold the potential to be some of the most sexually charged genres in film. Classics like Psycho and Dracula paved the way for the sub-genre, breaking ground in an era where the utilization of sex in movies, particularly when involving women, was repressed.
While mental health and trauma are two of the most tackled topics in horror, gender and sexuality do not fall far behind. This proves that, when combined with captivating, dramatic narratives, the fan-favorite genre can be so much more than its chilling jump scares and unsettling atmospheres. From The Love Witch to The Handmaiden, these are some of the best horror films about sexuality.
35
‘Excision’ (2012)
Directed by Richard Bates Jr., this coming-of-age meets body horror drama is a standout in sexual horror cinema for its compelling portrayal of adolescent sexual awakening. Following a disturbed aspiring surgeon, Excision offers shocking, graphic imagery and dark humor, and with it a subversive take on the monstrous-feminine.
Excision blends body horror and sexuality in a way that’s both shocking and meaningful. It challenges patriarchy by exploring the concept of the monstrous feminine and the idea of abjection. Pauline’s journey isn’t about sexual shame; it’s about taking control of her own desires, even when those desires go against societal norms. By centering on an outsider who refuses to conform, Excision critiques the institutions that regulate sexuality—family, religion, and school. It’s a bold commentary on power, control, and the way society polices what we’re allowed to desire.
34
‘Stoker’ (2013)
From the mind of Oldboy and The Handmaiden‘s director, Park Chan-wook, Stoker is a refreshing take on the genre with unique direction and visuals added to its unconventional storytelling. Starring Mia Wasikowska in the lead role, Stoker sees a young girl slowly become infatuated with her uncle Charlie (Matthew Goode), who she never knew existed, following the death of her father.
Complex sexuality is one of the most poignant themes in Stoker‘s twisted narrative, which sees Wasikowska’s quiet and contemplative character undergo a major self-discovery journey while coming of age and being groomed by him. Featuring plenty of memorable moments filled with erotic tension (namely that one scene where she’s playing the piano alongside her uncle), the layered and undeniably unique Park Chan-wook picture thrives through its stunning visuals and amazing performances, ranging from Wasikowska, through Good, to Nichole Kidman, who shines as India’s competitive mother.
33
‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975)
It’s not for no reason that The Rocky Horror Picture Show endures as a must-see, treasured film in the genre. The LGBTQ+ 1975 film follows a couple (Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick) who take shelter in a castle nearby, only to be taken on a psychedelic ride alongside the unconventional Dr. Frank-N-Furter, played by Tim Curry in an iconic performance.
Satirizing the horror genre, this cult classic staple has become a fan-favorite over time and one of the longest-running films in history. After all these years, The Rocky Horror Picture Show endures high in popularity; that is also thanks to the eccentric way that the Jim Sharman movie addresses sexuality, particularly sexual liberation and fluidity. It is based on the 1973 musical stage production of the same name.
32
‘Cat People’ (1982)
This remake of the 1942’s Cat People follows Irena Gallier (Nastassja Kinski) as she unearths her mysterious heritage: she learns that she and her brother Paul (Malcolm McDowell) belong to an ancient race of werecats who transform into fearsome panthers when sexually aroused. As the movie progresses, Irena struggles with embracing her identity while also navigating her deep feelings for zoo curator Oliver (John Heard).
While Cat People was not extremely well-received upon release, it has garnered a cult following over the years for its unique take on the genre, particularly in the niche category of erotic horror films. Tackling identity and forbidden desire, Cat People effectively explores sexuality and highlights the fear of sexual awakening, as well as repressed sexuality and societal pressures.
31
‘Bones and All’ (2022)
Bones and All follows Maren (Taylor Russell) and Lee (Timothée Chalamet), two young lovers navigating a world that rejects them for what they cannot control. Directed by the talented Luca Guadagnino, it charts their journey across small-town America, where the two are forced to confront both the literal and the metaphorical hungers that shape their lives.
Gadagnino’s unique coming-of-age and body horror uses unsettling imagery and a fantastically adapted screenplay, originally written by Camille DeAngelis, to interweave sexuality, hunger, and the search for true identity. What’s particularly compelling, too, are the subtle queer undertones of the film: though Maren and Lee appear heterosexual, their outsider status and societal rejection echo the experience of marginalization often felt by queer individuals. In Bones and All, cannibalism is what makes Lee and Maren “different,” setting them apart from the world around them, much as societal norms can render queer people othered. Cannibalism also serves as a primal, raw aspect of desire and loving someone wholly and viscerally, especially near its heartbreaking ending.
30
‘Audition’ (1999)
This splatter horror movie by Takashi Miike provides audiences with an intriguing look at power dynamics. The plot centers around a widower (Ryo Ishibashi) who takes an offer to screen girls at a special audition arranged for him by a friend to find him a new wife. Trouble ensues when the one he fancies (Eihi Shiina) is not who she appears to be after all.
Audition‘s plot is driven by sexuality, as Aoyama’s objectification of women is a big part of the storyline. However, it is through Shiina’s character, who is revealed to have had a traumatizing past that shaped her understanding of intimacy, that the film deeply explores darker themes. While entertaining and even comedic at times, Audition is a compelling meditation on how trauma can ultimately shape someone.
29
‘Crimes of the Future’ (2022)
Starring Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, and Kristen Stewart, Crimes of the Future is set in a dystopian future where human evolution has accelerated and resulted in radical changes in the human body. It mostly centers around Mortensen’s character Saul, a celebrity performance artist who, along with his partner (Seydoux), participates in avant-garde performances where he showcases the metamorphosis of his organs.
Like many David Cronenberg films, the body horror Crimes of the Future explores sexuality in unconventional ways that provide food for thought, with the characters’ modifications often being illustrated as intense and erotic experiences. At its core, Crimes of the Future offers viewers an unsettling exploration of the blurred lines between pain and pleasure, stepping away from traditional notions of intimacy and offering audiences a fresh outlook. It received mixed reviews from critics but is often praised for Cronenberg’s bold, unique vision.
28
‘The Witch’ (2015)
From the mind of Robert Eggers, The Witch is a chilling descent into religious paranoia starring the talented Anya Taylor-Joy as a young woman whose Puritan family is banished to the edge of a dark forest. When their infant son mysteriously disappears, misfortune and hysteria take hold, and suspicions soon turn toward Thomasin.
The Witch illustrates a world where the female body is both feared and punished, transforming the archetype of the temptress into something more wicked: a girl awakening to her own power and reclaiming agency. It’s arguably one of the best horror films of the last ten years, and part of that has to do with its poignant portrayal of female empowerment and the immersive depiction of the oppressive structures of Puritan society, showing how women are scapegoated and scrutinized.
27
‘The Love Witch’ (2016)
An often overlooked feature that deserves more attention—especially of those who enjoy cult classics—The Love Witch is a creative film that benefits from its stunning visuals. The story follows the main character, Elaine Park (played by Samantha Robinson), a modern-day witch who navigates through life using spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her, with disastrous results.
Directed by the talented Anna Biller, this stylized and underrated witch movie makes for a cozy fall watch, especially given that it perfectly emulates a very characteristic vintage look that isn’t seen in many modern films. With immersive storytelling and retro production design, The Love Witch is a fascinating sexual thriller, mystical horror, and, in a way, a fascinating love letter to 1960s cinema.
26
‘May’ (2002)
Lucky McKee‘s psychological horror film delves into themes of identity and isolation while also tackling the desire for human connection. At its center is May, played by Angela Bettis, a socially awkward woman who struggles with forming real, meaningful bonds. Her increasing obsession with the perfect partner leads her to spiral into a disturbing path of self-destruction.
Whether you’re a fan of psychological films or body horror, May is a great choice, as it combines the two with great results. McKee’s movie delivers an intriguing portrayal of sexuality, particularly sexual alienation, as the protagonist’s desire for closeness unfolds in both an innocent and terrifying manner. While it is not one of the strongest entries mentioned on this list, May is still a chilling exploration of how one can spiral out of control emotionally, particularly when shaped by isolation and societal expectations, and offers a unique narrative.
Source link
