This summer, Hollywood has taken a notable turn towards more explicit and sexually charged narratives, a move that contrasts with recent industry trends. Films exploring themes of sex, kink, and relationships are finding an audience, challenging the notion that younger generations, particularly Gen Z, are uninterested in such content. This shift marks a potential resurgence for the "bonkbuster," a term often associated with racy or sexually explicit storylines.
Film critics observe a broader cultural recalibration where "smut" literature is on the rise, prestige television depicts adult themes, and indie films delve into kink. This summer's cinematic offerings can be seen as reflecting and engaging with generational attitudes toward sex. After years of what some perceived as unrealistic portrayals or a near absence of sex on screen, the return of these themes, even with their inherent awkwardness, is viewed by some as a welcome development.
One of the summer's standout films, "One Night Only," presents a dystopian near-future United States where premarital sex is illegal for 364 days a year, with a single 12-hour window for sanctioned encounters. The film follows two protagonists navigating this restrictive environment, with the plot centered around their attempts to find connection amidst casual sexual opportunities. While not featuring explicit scenes, the premise revolves around the pursuit of sex and the potential for deeper connection it can spark. The film's writer, Travis Braun, aimed to explore the drive for real connection, suggesting that even casual sex can be a catalyst for such feelings.
"I Want Your Sex" is described as arguably the raunchiest film of the season, graphically depicting sexual relationships. The film stars Olivia Wilde as an artist who enlists a young assistant to be her "sexual muse." The movie directly addresses and pokes fun at the idea of Gen Z being "sexually repressed," with Wilde's character aiming to challenge this perceived frigidity. Director Gregg Araki called the film a "sex-positive love letter to Gen Z," inspired by articles suggesting younger generations were less sexually active. The film, which received a "Severe" rating for sex and nudity on IMDB, was a direct reaction to this cultural observation.
Another film, "The Invite," also features Olivia Wilde, this time as director. The movie centers on an uptight homemaker whose sex life with her husband has stagnated. Their world opens up when they meet a neighboring swinging couple, leading to an exploration of non-monogamy. Wilde noted that the experience of making the film made her more romantic and optimistic about adult storytelling in cinema.
"Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma" uses sex as an underlying theme in its narrative about a filmmaker remaking a cult slasher film. The film delves into psychosexual mania and features a villain known as "Little Death," a euphemism for orgasm. Director Jane Schoenbrun stated the film is against repression, particularly in relation to sex, and aims to explore themes of sexual self-discovery and overcoming trauma.
"Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass" offers a comedic take on sexual themes. The story follows a woman who embarks on a mission to sleep with actor Jon Hamm after her fiancé exercises his "celebrity hall pass" with Jennifer Aniston. The film is filled with innuendo and explicit sexual commentary, though the sexual acts themselves are depicted comically without nudity.