The thread stems from a Vulture Eternals review I’ve just read (not planning on seeing that) which lamented a sex scene “filmed from the chest up, chastely focusing on… …faces.” In this light & given the sad PG world we live in, can anyone recommend anything at all made post-2015 that has graphic sex scenes like in the good old ‘80s/‘90s? Bonus points for passable plot/overall quality of film, but I’m more interested to see if anything at all sexually graphic continues to be made, as I always keep an eye out and I certainly haven’t seen anything pretty much since Nymphomaniac, which points to a sad state of affairs.

To be clear, I’m not looking for “porn” or the arthouse version thereof - it’s just that I have a feeling that steamy sex scenes mid-film that serve to illustrate the relationships between characters have become virtually non-existent. Wondering if I’m wrong.

Correct me if I'm wrong - it's been a few years since I've seen it - but there are sex scenes in Raw (2016) that fit that description. They're more unnerving than enticing, though.

I have seen that and quite liked it, but don’t remember that aspect. Will rewatch, thanks.

I watched Shangri-La Suite (2016) a few days ago, which had a naughty scene or two.

possibly NSFW--

Re: Sex scenes (not “chaste”)
 

Climax definitely has some but I don't remember if its actually all that explicit or if the oppressive atmosphere just makes everything feel worse than it is.

I remember that - didn’t think it had any of what I was referring to. Besides, I’d count that as arthouse. But yes, Noé definitely qualifies.

Re: Sex scenes (not “chaste”)
 

When it comes to graphic sex scenes you would see in the 80s and 90s, I just feel that they were trying too hard, and prefer how it's shown more nowadays perhaps. I don't think I am prudish, but there is such thing as feeling like you are trying too hard, unless I am wrong?

I don’t feel that way is all. Each to his own.

Hmm. Didn’t plan on checking that out. But now I wonder…

Does it have to be a movie? Because HBO’s limited series from Denmark Kamikaze is about as graphic as it gets. Excellent 8-parter if you’re interested.

Sure am. Thanks for that. Doesn’t have to be a movie at all.

Dogtooth? I may be misremembering though.

Love it. Yes, that definitely counts. But it’s 2009, I meant more recent stuff, assuming that exists.

Re: Sex scenes (not “chaste”)
 

I wanted to recommend some stuff but then I read you are not looking for “porn” or the arthouse version thereof.

https://i.imgur.com/LnxXZHM.png

Well, sorry. Believe me, I’m unfortunately all too familiar with all that. We touched upon it when discussing Sex Education. I’ve seen enough of that for a lifetime. Nothing like growing up on arthouse porn to desensitise one to its charms.

Off the top of my head:

Stranger by the Lake
Annette
The Handmaiden
Possessor
Berlin Syndrome
BPM
Nina Forever
High Life
High Rise

"Swimming Pool" leaps to mind as well as "Before the Devil Knows Your Dead".

Thanks for these, I’ve missed out on Annette and BPM, so will track down.

I will second both Annette and The Handmaiden from Taks suggestion.

Re: Sex scenes (not “chaste”)
 

I don't have the facts and numbers to cite, but "as I recall hearing", movies like the ones from back in the 80's fell out of favor with the bean counters. Once people could rent videos and even more, stream real porn anywhere they want, the thrill of seeing it in muted form in a mainstream movie declined. If you try to calculate how many people will come to a movie hoping for sex VS how many will stay away and not allow their kids (a big part of the market), I'm pretty sure that the numbers favor not doing much with sex and nudity. The whole streaming topic makes it more complicated since putting it on Amazon or Netflix would raise the parental control issue, so there's not much incentive to make movies with explicit sex....more money to lose than to gain and you'd probably need a new crop of actors who could rise to the physical requirements.