As we begin to finish the first quarter of the 21st century, we can reflect on some of the progressions and regressions of 2000s cinema.
With budget cuts throughout the industry taking its toll on practical effects, location shooting, and CGI, one of the few areas many studios isn’t cutting corners on is the hiring of intimacy co-ordinators. In layman’s terms, sex choreographers.
Whilst this popular new addition to the film payroll may be on the back of a horrible amount of scandals, its presence is better late than never. Plus, it’s having a positive effect on our screens.
As Valentine’s Day fast approaches, it’s an ample opportunity to entitle 2024 with a badge of honour cinephiles seem hesitant to award it: the best year of sex scenes. Or, at the very least, one of the best years.
So, what 2024 films are worth watching to for a steamy cinematic experience?
Love Lies Bleeding
Love Lies Bleeding is sweaty, tough, and sexy- and a touch gory. Starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O’Brian, the film follows the quickly escalating and lust-driven relationship between gym manager Lou (Stewart) and aspiring bodybuilder Jackie (O’Brian). As the two become further involved with each other both emotionally and physically, a violent past they can’t outrun catches up with them.
Blood, drugs, and sex and also surprisingly quite funny- what more can you want?
Challengers
In Challengers the sex is not sex: it’s tennis. Starring Hollywood darlings Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faust in a will-they-won’t-they sporty throuple, Challengers is the sexually charged drama cinephiles have been dreaming of.
With a score to die for, Challengers follows tennis players Tashi, Art, and Patrick as they battle it out in an amateur-ish tennis tournament to prove their sporting capabilities and win each other’s respect.
With lots of steamy moments and even more shouting, Challengers was a box office hit for a reason, further moving director Luca Guadagnino up the list of best modern directors.
Queer
Daniel Craig has been a heart throb ever since he donned the 007 bow tie for this first time in 2006. However, in 2024 he tossed the ladies man label aside for director Luca Guadagnino’s latest sultry project: Queer.
Set in 1950s Mexico City, older gent William (Daniel Craig) develops an infatuation with new-comer Eugene (Drew Starkey). As they grow closer, their intimacy becomes feverishly hot and desperate. Grazing hands across limbs, entangled legs, and steamy make-outs, Queer is so intimate it’s almost intrusive. However, it’s beauty makes it impossible to look away.
A relationship under wraps, William and Eugene navigate their queerness and their age in this dusty, beautiful block buster that further establishes Craig as more than a brilliant Bond and Starkey as a rising star.
Babygirl
Starring Nicole Kidman as a not-so-baby woman, Babygirl subverts the traditional powerful man with younger woman trope- but still leaves the power out of the woman’s hand.
Romy (Kidman), the CEO of a mammoth-sized company, meets Samuel (Harris Dickinson), an intern, who is initially too big for his boots, and tries to woo Romy. To his surprise and hers, she’s into it.
The pair begin an out of the ordinary relationship away from corporate and family eyes, where Romy relinquishes her power and allows Samuel to dominate.
The sex in Babygirl isn’t just sexy- it’s awkward. The couple are new to the sub-dom world and have to learn to navigate it together. However, after an awkward few stumbles, the pair enter a sultry, wild and dangerous relationship that makes addictive watching.
Femme
Femme’s sex scenes are not as delicate as the title would have you believe. Far from feminine, Femme’s sex is dark, rough, dangerous and not necessarily for the general audience. Also, it’s not always sensual- the dark underbelly of queer abuse and danger is not shied away from.
Femme is about Jules (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), a London drag queen, who comes across a man, Preston (George MacKay), who previously assaulted him in a gay sauna. Naturally, the ensuing relationship is dark, secretive and full of toxicity.
It’s not for everyone but Femme is undeniably a film with well-organised and captivating sex.
Honourable mention: Sister Wives
If you’ve not time to watch a full length film, Sister Wives is a 28 minute length short film that offers tension, sex, and liberation.
Sister Wives has Kaidence (Louise Connolly-Burnham) introduced to her husband’s brand-new second wife, Galilee (Mia McKeen-Bruce). Their husband leaves for work, leaving the pair to get acquainted with one another away from the prying eyes of their fundamentalist religious society.
What starts of resentment soon morphs into lust, and the two hatch a plan for liberation.
The sex is emotional, intimate and exhilarating- and the story itself inspirational.
Feature image credit: Entertainment Film Distributors. Icon added by Brig.
Editor-in-Chief.
Twitter/X and BlueSky: @AlexPaterson01
