May 2nd 2024.
It's no secret that the film industry has been experiencing a noticeable divide lately. As avid cinema-goers may have noticed, there has been a stark contrast between the abundance of steamy sex scenes and the seemingly celibate world of superheroes. With movies like Saltburn, Poor Things, and the latest blockbuster hit Challengers, one could easily assume that Hollywood is feeling hot and bothered. However, despite the risqué antics of Saltburn, it seems that overall, films are becoming less raunchy compared to just a decade ago.
Behind the scenes, there has been a growing awareness of actors' agency and comfort levels when it comes to filming intimate scenes. In order to ensure professionalism, special coordinators have been hired to oversee these scenes. It's possible that filmmakers are now choosing to focus on other forms of intimacy rather than including potentially unnecessary bedroom romps, resulting in a significant decrease in sex scenes. According to data from the Economist, since 2000, films have shown a steady decline in the amount of "sex and nudity" depicted on screen, with a decrease of 40%.
The 2000s saw a surge in movies featuring steamy bedroom entanglements. Film-data analyst Stephen Follows studied the top 250 films each year since 2000 and ranked them on a scale of "none" to "severe" when it came to the amount of sexual content. This information was gathered from movie databases and film-rating bodies, which indicate if a film contains "scenes of a sexual nature" or "nudity". In the United States, any film above a PG rating may include nudity and intimate scenes, but the MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America) does not have explicit guidelines for sexual content.
Recently, there has been a lot of attention surrounding sex scenes, particularly with the addition of a new amendment to Sag-Aftra's guidance for intimacy coordinators. This was largely due to a controversial sex scene between Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman, given their 31-year age gap. However, this is not the first time that sex scenes have sparked controversy. In 2011, there were two films released about having a "friend with benefits", and who could forget when Anne Hathaway referred to Gone Girl as her favorite romantic comedy?
Infamously, the 1992 film Basic Instinct caused quite a stir with its brief glimpse of genitals on screen. However, more recent films like Joy Ride and No Hard Feelings, released in 2023, have featured full frontal female nudity without much notice. Even the popular TV show Game of Thrones, while not a movie, became known for its steamy scenes that often moved the plot forward and revealed more about the characters.
Despite the heightened awareness of sex in cinema, it seems that we are actually seeing less of it on screen. In fact, less than 50% of the highest-grossing films in recent years have contained sex scenes, a significant difference from the 2000s when over 80% of top films featured some form of sexual content.
Some have pointed fingers at the Marvel universe, where superheroes are portrayed as incredibly sexy but remain entirely sexless. However, the R-rated film Deadpool broke this trend. While characters like Thor, Captain America, and Hawkeye have romantic interests, their relationships never progress beyond a respectful kiss. Even Tony Stark, known as a playboy in early versions of the character, was never shown in a sexual encounter despite his seductive ways. Black Widow, who often uses her femininity to her advantage, has also never been shown engaging in sexual activity, even with her romantic interest, the Hulk.
On the other hand, there has been an increase in full-frontal nudity on screen, with actors like Barry Keoghan proudly baring it all. Saltburn, for example, features numerous sex scenes that may cause some audience members to blush, including one where the Irish actor performs oral sex on a character who is on her period. In Zendaya's two most recent films, we can see this contrast between the almost entirely celibate world of superheroes and the unapologetically horny film industry.
Some have blamed this shift on Gen Z, citing polls that show a preference for films without sex scenes, which may be awkward to watch with parents. However, others argue that it's not necessarily sex that we are against, but rather a desire for more diverse depictions of intimacy, rather than just the typical heterosexual bedroom scene.
It's possible that the decline in sex scenes is due to a pushback against seemingly "pointless" sexual content, with intimacy coordinators questioning the necessity of these scenes compared to other forms of intimacy that can be shown through cutaways or off-screen rendezvous. This is not to say that sex scenes are completely disappearing from films, but rather that when they are included, they are more integral to the plot and the overall feel of the movie.
In conclusion, while the data may show a decline in sex scenes in films, it's clear that movies that push boundaries and challenge audiences are here to stay. Whether it's a lack of sex scenes or an increase in nudity, there will always be a place for unconventional storytelling in the film industry. So, while some may argue that the golden age of steamy sex scenes in cinema is over, it's safe to say that there are plenty of other ways for filmmakers to keep us entertained and engaged.
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