List of erotic thriller films explained

The erotic thriller is a film subgenre defined as a film that "combines romanticized, 'erotic' appeal with a dangerous 'thriller' narrative—a "pleasure/danger" principle". The elements of bodily danger and pleasure are central to the plot.[1] Most erotic thrillers contain scenes of softcore sex, though the frequency and explicitness of those scenes varies. British academic Linda Ruth Williams described erotic thriller films as "noirish stories of sexual intrigue incorporating some form of criminality or duplicity, often as the flimsy framework for onscreen softcore sex".

The word "erotic" began to adhere to "thriller" during the 1980s to describe a sudden boom in noir-like thriller films with sexually provocative content.[2] The late 1980s to the mid-1990s are regarded as the "classic period" of the erotic thriller,[3] and the most recognizable films of the genre, such as Basic Instinct, Fatal Attraction, and The Last Seduction were released in this era.

Precursors to the erotic thriller

In his book Hollywood's Dark Cinema: The American Film Noir, Robert Barton Palmer claimed "perhaps the most popular genre in the 1990s, the so-called erotic thriller [...] is a direct descendant of the classic film noir". Many films of the 1960s and 70s also provocatively mixed noir themes with softcore sex, erotic fantasy, and voyeurism.[4] The erotic thriller also contains influences from the genres of mystery and horror, as well as from pornography.

Notable figures

Certain filmmakers and actors are associated with the genre. Brian De Palma helped usher in the classic period of the genre with films Dressed to Kill and Body Double, and directed Femme Fatale and Passion later in his career. Dutch filmmaker Paul Verhoeven directed Basic Instinct, Showgirls, and Benedetta. Joe Eszterhas became a sought-after screenwriter in the classic period, writing the screenplays for Jagged Edge, Basic Instinct, Showgirls, and Jade. Adrian Lyne has directed several films of the genre, including 9½ Weeks, Fatal Attraction, Indecent Proposal, Unfaithful, and Deep Water. Other filmmakers include Atom Egoyan, Paul Schrader, Abel Ferrara, William Friedkin, David Cronenberg, and Zalman King.

The most recognizable actor associated with erotic thrillers is Michael Douglas,[5] [6] who starred in four films—Fatal Attraction, Basic Instinct, Disclosure, and A Perfect Murder. Mickey Rourke, Richard Gere,[7] James Spader,[8] and Tom Berenger have also starred in multiple films of the genre. Notable actresses include Sharon Stone, Linda Fiorentino, Glenn Close,[9] Kathleen Turner,[10] Demi Moore, and Greta Scacchi.[11]

List of films: 1930–1940

1931

List of films: 1940–1970

1944

1958

1962

1966

1969

List of films: 1970–1980

1971

1972

1973

1974

1975

1976

1977

1978

List of films: 1980–1990

1982

1983

1989

List of films: 1990–1996

1996

List of films: 1997–2007

2006

2007

List of films: 2008–present

2008

2010

2011

2012

2017

2018

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

Miscellaneous crossover films

Post-period crossover films

References

Bibliography

Notes and References

  1. News: Juzwiak . Rich . 13 August 2021 . The Lost Art of the Erotic Thriller . . 1 December 2021.
  2. Williams (2005) pg. 15
  3. Williams (2005) pg. 4
  4. Williams (2005) pg. 79
  5. Web site: Roberts . Soraya . 24 May 2021 . The Erotic Thriller's Little Death . 1 December 2021 . Longreads.
  6. Web site: Ebiri . Bilge . April 5, 2022 . What Was It About Michael Douglas? . July 12, 2022 . Vulture . en-us.
  7. Web site: Cantwell . Elizabeth . 26 July 2021 . Bright Wall/Dark Room July 2021: You Were Frameable: American Gigolo and Richard Gere's Mirrored Sex Appeal . 1 December 2021 . Rogerebert.com . en.
  8. Web site: June 26, 2022 . Every James Spader Movie Ranked From Worst To Best . July 18, 2022 . . en-US.
  9. Web site: Jacobs . Matthew . May 12, 2022 . Podcaster Karina Longworth Explains the Women of Erotic Thrillers . July 12, 2022 . . en.
  10. Web site: Bastién . Angelica Jade . April 8, 2022 . Kathleen Turner Made the Modern Femme Fatale . July 12, 2022 . . en-us.
  11. Web site: Foreman . Liza . December 12, 2019 . Greta Scacchi, '90s Screen Siren, Looks Back . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20191212191813/https://www.thedailybeast.com/greta-scacchi-90s-screen-siren-looks-back-harvey-weinstein-harassed-everyone . December 12, 2019 . July 12, 2022 . The Daily Beast.
  12. Web site: Trans-Europ Express and Successive Slidings of Pleasure Detailed. . 14 January 2014. Blu-ray.com. 3 February 2014.
  13. Web site: Cargill . C. Robert . 26 July 2007 . Director Chris Sivertson on I Know Who Killed Me . https://web.archive.org/web/20210226103955/http://www.mtv.com/news/2756442/director-chris-sivertson-on-i-know-who-killed-me/ . dead . February 26, 2021 . 1 December 2021 . MTV News . en.
  14. Web site: Chambers. Catherine. 17 April 2008. Deception (2008). BBC.
  15. News: 9 July 2020 . Unpacking the controversy around '365 Days,' the erotic thriller with scathing reviews and a huge following . . 1 December 2021.
  16. Web site: Hammond . Caleb . 7 January 2021 . Fatale Director Deon Taylor on His Erotic Thriller Throwback . 1 December 2021 . . en-us.
  17. Web site: Frank . Allegra . 8 April 2021 . What Is What Lies Below, the Horny Sea-Monster Movie That's No. 1 on Netflix? . 1 December 2021 . . en.
  18. Web site: Keslassy . Elsa . Lang . Brent . 27 May 2021 . IFC Films Buys Paul Verhoeven's 'Benedetta' Ahead of Cannes Debut (EXCLUSIVE) . 1 December 2021 . . en-US.
  19. Web site: Raftery. Brian. March 17, 2022. The Rise and Fall of the Erotic Thriller. July 12, 2022. The Ringer.

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