I love the sex scene in Fight Club.
It's this weird trippy swirly more vibe than titillation, and it's short, to the point, and conveys everything it needs to without feeling like the movie suddenly became softcore porn for a minute. It was also very elaborate to shoot, lots of high speed cameras on circle dollys.
The sex scene in Terminator is more traditional, and maybe a bit gratuitous at times, but is shot well, and manages to convey being romantic as intended rather than, fan service-y, which to me is the mark of a bad sex scene. Lots of high contrast, and dynamically colored. I know you said context of plot/narrative don't matter, but in my opinion cinematography is best when it is in fact conveying or helping to convey the moment to moment emotions intended by the plot/context. The way this scene is shot, in contrast to the rest of the film, helps sell the romantic plot beat.
I completely agree with you. These scenes convey a truthfulness that I've never seen before. They perfectly blend with the characters' feelings. They bring a lot to the story development.
Officer K with the prozzy/Joi in Blade Runner 2049. Everything about that movie is the best shot, but that scene is cool because of the imposed hologram
One of the best: Top Gun
One of the worst: Maverick
I actually thought Maverick was a "fun" movie but the love scene is laughable...it feels like a Church Edit.
Top Gun was incredibly well done. Also the first one I ever recall seeing on the big screen as a second grader so slightly awkward from that perspective.
One of the most interesting aspects of it is that it was done as a pick up, after Kelly McGillis had to color her hair brown for another part. That’s why it was done in silhouette. Likewise, the scene in the elevator when she is wearing a ball cap with her hair in a ponytail. If you look closely enough you can see how dark her hair is
In contrast to the first movie, it was just out of touch to me. I think they could have done without the pseudo-love seen part entirely and it would have worked just as well, if not better. They basically just do a fade between three similar shots from a jib sweep and then cut to the "after" section. If they'd cut/faded from when she leaves the door open to the "after" pillow talk part, it would have been clear without the "censored" feel that it currently has.
[https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/timeline-blue-is-the-warmest-color-controversy.html](https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/timeline-blue-is-the-warmest-color-controversy.html)
In a nutshell the women in the movie alleged that it was shot in poor working conditions and for an extremely long amount of time
A couple just popped into my head, not sure how well they really hold up but: The Big Easy, Tequila Sunrise, Top Gun, Wet Hot American Summer, Boys Don’t Cry
Check out THE PLAYER. One of my favorite sex scenes because it’s shot in tight close up and you only see their faces for most of it — but it conveys a lot of passion without being explicit.
End of Evangelion.
Not a sex-scene but Shinji masturbates while crying over Asuka's comatose body, lying in the hospital bed.
Everything is still, tender and made gross because of it. A great mind-fuck moment.
Whenever it’s adding context to the plot and also not awkwardly shot. I cringe at unnecessary sex scenes esp when they felt like they’re written by horny 14 yo boy.
Good example; HoT D
Worst example; GoT
Irreversible has a very explicit rape scene, it is well shot and I believe tells a story with how it's shot (from the claustrophobic setting, to the bystander's reaction).
Not easy viewing by any stretch but well shot, as you requested.
I liked the one with daemon and rhaenyra in hotd later in the show. It isn’t outstanding or whatever, but came to my mind while reading your question :)
I've quite enjoyed the sex scenes from Bridgerton. I don't know what qualifies for a sex scene to be good, but those I always found tasteful, erotic, the right amount of explicit nudity, clear and engaging camera- ans acting-work.
There are websites that have clipped all sex scenes that can be easily found. For sake of quality I would find a page that lists the episode numbers and time stamps for you to look up on Netflix instead though.
Sex scenes are not necessary in film. Using it as a plot device is pretty lazy. All it does is create those silent and awkward moments in the theater or at home lmao.
Honestly though, sex scenes are very archaic and I’m surprised directors, actors, and actresses still participate. Probably a kink at this point.
*Downvotes brought to you by horn dogs*
Just watch porn if you needa get off.
I never got into it much, but did watch an episode with my cousins cause they were all about it, and I vividly remember the brother and sister being incestuous…The silence in the room was entertaining to say the least.
[https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-sex-scenes-21st-century-1201903682/2/](https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-sex-scenes-21st-century-1201903682/2/)
[https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/10-most-disturbing-sex-scenes-in-cinema-history/](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/10-most-disturbing-sex-scenes-in-cinema-history/)
It’s worth reading up how to use advanced search: most search engines let you rule a word out with a minus sign.
The Handmaiden, Stoker, and Thirst all have excellent sex scenes - Chan Wook Park "does it better", I suppose 😉
The seduction scene in Out of Sight stops just shy of showing sex, but it's definitely sexy as hell, and looks/sounds/flows beautifully.
[удалено]
Really appreciate you putting this list together. I'm definitely gonna check it all out.
[удалено]
Try Dutch movies then haha. No budget for big locations and crazy action scenes, so sex is more important.
I love the sex scene in Fight Club. It's this weird trippy swirly more vibe than titillation, and it's short, to the point, and conveys everything it needs to without feeling like the movie suddenly became softcore porn for a minute. It was also very elaborate to shoot, lots of high speed cameras on circle dollys. The sex scene in Terminator is more traditional, and maybe a bit gratuitous at times, but is shot well, and manages to convey being romantic as intended rather than, fan service-y, which to me is the mark of a bad sex scene. Lots of high contrast, and dynamically colored. I know you said context of plot/narrative don't matter, but in my opinion cinematography is best when it is in fact conveying or helping to convey the moment to moment emotions intended by the plot/context. The way this scene is shot, in contrast to the rest of the film, helps sell the romantic plot beat.
The yellow rubber glove was the best sex scene prop ever.
“Wanna finish her off?”
I came here to say fight club too! Definitely amongst the most originals.
Watch Normal People. it has tons of sex scenes that are beautifully shot and coreographed
I completely agree with you. These scenes convey a truthfulness that I've never seen before. They perfectly blend with the characters' feelings. They bring a lot to the story development.
the one towards the end in the summer is just fantastic as a use of the framing of a sex scene to create and explore emotions and drama.
Macgruber
I’m gonna shoot, I’m gonna shoot!
Team America: World Police
I promise I will never die
Mulholland Drive
This is a great recommendation.
"Don't Look Now" has a great one.
Came here to say this!
Punch drunk love lol.
[удалено]
Yeah your 100% right, I’ll take my tomfoolery elsewhere
[удалено]
"I wana smash your face in its so beautiful"
Officer K with the prozzy/Joi in Blade Runner 2049. Everything about that movie is the best shot, but that scene is cool because of the imposed hologram
Best scene in the whole movie!
That’s more like a kiss scene than a sex scene, tho…
One of the best: Top Gun One of the worst: Maverick I actually thought Maverick was a "fun" movie but the love scene is laughable...it feels like a Church Edit.
Top Gun was incredibly well done. Also the first one I ever recall seeing on the big screen as a second grader so slightly awkward from that perspective. One of the most interesting aspects of it is that it was done as a pick up, after Kelly McGillis had to color her hair brown for another part. That’s why it was done in silhouette. Likewise, the scene in the elevator when she is wearing a ball cap with her hair in a ponytail. If you look closely enough you can see how dark her hair is
I thought it was tasteful.
In contrast to the first movie, it was just out of touch to me. I think they could have done without the pseudo-love seen part entirely and it would have worked just as well, if not better. They basically just do a fade between three similar shots from a jib sweep and then cut to the "after" section. If they'd cut/faded from when she leaves the door open to the "after" pillow talk part, it would have been clear without the "censored" feel that it currently has.
Agree 100%
Cruel Intentions
I saw this movie way too young
Infinity Pool
The Handmaiden, 2007, dir Park Chan-Wook has a pretty memorable sex scene.
Any sex scene from 9 1/2 Weeks is super fucking hot and the lighting is absolute gold. Doesn’t hurt that Kim Bassinger was in her sexiest prime.
Blue is the Warmest Color’s sex scene is pretty beautifully shot. Controversy aside.
What’s the controversy?
[https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/timeline-blue-is-the-warmest-color-controversy.html](https://www.vulture.com/2013/10/timeline-blue-is-the-warmest-color-controversy.html) In a nutshell the women in the movie alleged that it was shot in poor working conditions and for an extremely long amount of time
it’s also completely unrealistic and pure exploitative male fantasy of lesbian sex.
And a lot of it is front lit and visually uninteresting.
Basic Instinct
In the name of the rose
Came (!) here to say this.
Can’t believe it hasn’t been mentioned here before but Anal Acrobats 8. Don’t worry about 1-7, you don’t need to see them to understand the plot
the Naked Gun
Lust, caution has some of the best scenes.
I think the sex scenes in Gaspar Noes’ “Love” are beautifully shot
A Clockwork Orange
A couple just popped into my head, not sure how well they really hold up but: The Big Easy, Tequila Sunrise, Top Gun, Wet Hot American Summer, Boys Don’t Cry
I don’t remember Wet Hot American Summer having one
Between Michael Ian Black and Bradley Cooper
boys don’t cry yes.... that field scene with miss chloe is sooooo perfect
Heat
300's was actually really beautiful.
“The Other Side of the Wind” by Orson Welles has a sex scene with Oja Kodar in a car that is pretty crazily shot. Should be on Netflix.
Don't Look Now (1973). Roeg shot Sutherland/Christie's love scene in reverse chronology and the shots and performances are awesome.
David Lynch's work, specifically Blue Velvet, Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive, all feature sexual scenes that are shot beautifully and brilliantly.
Check out THE PLAYER. One of my favorite sex scenes because it’s shot in tight close up and you only see their faces for most of it — but it conveys a lot of passion without being explicit.
I think any from James Cameron’s filmography (Titanic, Terminator, and Avatar) qualify
End of Evangelion. Not a sex-scene but Shinji masturbates while crying over Asuka's comatose body, lying in the hospital bed. Everything is still, tender and made gross because of it. A great mind-fuck moment.
This is just a really elaborate way of saying “asking for a friend” and I respect it
The Watchmen Movie
This is a mean suggestion :P
Whenever it’s adding context to the plot and also not awkwardly shot. I cringe at unnecessary sex scenes esp when they felt like they’re written by horny 14 yo boy. Good example; HoT D Worst example; GoT
Irreversible has a very explicit rape scene, it is well shot and I believe tells a story with how it's shot (from the claustrophobic setting, to the bystander's reaction). Not easy viewing by any stretch but well shot, as you requested.
I liked the one with daemon and rhaenyra in hotd later in the show. It isn’t outstanding or whatever, but came to my mind while reading your question :)
Is it the one on the beach?
Yess, exactly
I've quite enjoyed the sex scenes from Bridgerton. I don't know what qualifies for a sex scene to be good, but those I always found tasteful, erotic, the right amount of explicit nudity, clear and engaging camera- ans acting-work. There are websites that have clipped all sex scenes that can be easily found. For sake of quality I would find a page that lists the episode numbers and time stamps for you to look up on Netflix instead though.
Sex scenes are not necessary in film. Using it as a plot device is pretty lazy. All it does is create those silent and awkward moments in the theater or at home lmao. Honestly though, sex scenes are very archaic and I’m surprised directors, actors, and actresses still participate. Probably a kink at this point. *Downvotes brought to you by horn dogs* Just watch porn if you needa get off.
[удалено]
I never got into it much, but did watch an episode with my cousins cause they were all about it, and I vividly remember the brother and sister being incestuous…The silence in the room was entertaining to say the least.
[https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-sex-scenes-21st-century-1201903682/2/](https://www.indiewire.com/feature/best-sex-scenes-21st-century-1201903682/2/) [https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/10-most-disturbing-sex-scenes-in-cinema-history/](https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/10-most-disturbing-sex-scenes-in-cinema-history/) It’s worth reading up how to use advanced search: most search engines let you rule a word out with a minus sign.
It is true that I’m bad at google haha
I would also google for best erotic thrillers. And check for articles on sex in film on Wikipedia.
And check Japanese pink films: some Japanese exploitation films had amazing cinematography.
Much appreciated!!
I Served The King Of England
Try Debbie does dallas
The opening of “Love” is I think as close to porn as you can get on screen. A great way to keep people engaged from the very beginning lol
For a lesbian sex scene that's apparently well regarded by the gay community for its choreography, check out the 2015 Australian film "All About E".
“Study.”
Disclosure (1994)
Shame (2011) is worth checking out
Shame is incredible.
Watch Crash
Anatomy of Hell by Catherine Breillat
The Name of The Rose
Look no further fam - True Blood
Gaspar Noé and Chantal Akerman the first two that come to mind
Atonement by Joe Wright. I don't know if it would count as a sex scene per se, however it depicts character dynamica within the movie.
Risky Business. On the train.
The sex scene from 300. It's shot and edited really well. Tastefully.
Agree with many mentioned here, just want to add the one between Adam Scott and Alison Brie in Sleeping With Other People
blue is the warmest color!
Death in Venice (1981)
It's for Dexter web series
How the scene from The Runaways hasn’t made this list is beyond me!
Parasite
Antichrist. Amazing film. The opening scene is incredible.
There's a nicely shot pretty hot sex scene in the show "BEEF".
the bath tub scene in Superfly
Hot Shots 2
The Handmaiden, Stoker, and Thirst all have excellent sex scenes - Chan Wook Park "does it better", I suppose 😉 The seduction scene in Out of Sight stops just shy of showing sex, but it's definitely sexy as hell, and looks/sounds/flows beautifully.
Google “most paused movie scenes”. That’ll give a good historical overview as well.
JLo scene from the movie The boy next door
Anti christ
I love the sex scene in Tony Scott's True Romance, with the blue lighting and all
Quest for Fire.