10 Best Horror Movies That Explore Sexuality

Sexuality is one of the crucial elements that has helped shape horror over time. Be it seductive vampire bites still frequently seen in the media today, or cannibalism as a form of all-consuming love as recently depicted in Bones and All, horror films often hold the potential to be some of the most sexually charged genres in film. Classics like Psycho and Dracula paved the way for the sub-genre, breaking ground in an era where the utilization of sex in movies, particularly when involving women, was repressed.

While mental health and trauma are two of the most tackled topics in horror, gender and sexuality do not fall far behind. This proves that, when combined with captivating dramatic narratives, the fan-favorite genre can be so much more than its chilling jumpscares and unsettling atmospheres. From The Love Witch to The Handmaiden, these are some of the best horror films about sexuality.

10 ‘The Love Witch’ (2016)

Directed by Anna Biller

An often overlooked feature that deserves more love, The Love Witch is a creative film that benefits from its stunning visuals. The story follows main character, Elaine Park (played by Samantha Robinson), a modern-day witch who navigates through life using spells and magic to get men to fall in love with her with disastrous results.

Directed by the talented Anna Biller, this stylized must-see movie makes for a cozy fall watch, especially given that it perfectly emulates a very characteristic vintage look that isn’t seen in many modern films. With immersive storytelling and retro production design, The Love Witch is a fascinating sexual thriller, mystical horror, and, in a way, a fantastic love letter to 1960s cinema.

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9 ‘Ginger Snaps’ (2000)

Directed by John Fawcett

The violent and gory Canadian film Ginger Snaps stars Emily Perkins and Katherine Isabelle as two morbid young sisters whose relationship is tested when Ginger is attacked and bitten by a bizarre creature. In the meantime, they must attempt to the tragic consequences of the occurrence.

John Fawcett’s satire combines horror and drama while tackling themes of sisterhood, loyalty, and womanhood through an engaging tale. Additionally, it makes a very solid point to highlight puberty and female teenage sexual awakening in a compelling way — in fact, the film serves as a hyperbole for sexual desire gone wrong. No doubt, Ginger Snaps is one of the most memorable werewolf (and teen) films to date.

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8 ‘Hellraiser’ (1987)

Directed by Clive Barker

With a new film released just last year, Hellraiser endures a popular horror franchise. Often considered a horror classic, the first film arguably endures the best. In the Clive Barker movie, a woman (Clare Higgins) finds her sexual deviant brother-in-law’s (Sean Chapman) freshly revived body. She then begins to kill in order to give him the strength he needs to escape the demonic creatures that are seeking him after he breaks free from their cruel underworld.

While Hellraiser is definitely not for everyone, it is an undeniably stylish and captivating 1980s film, especially known for analyzing sadomasochism and pain as a source of pleasure. With that being said, the Clive Baker film is filled with sexual undertones, providing a provocative message on sexual liberation.

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7 ‘It Follows’ (2014)

Directed by David Robert Mitchell

With so many people truly adoring it, It Follows has become a cult classic at this point (and a sequel is on the way). The David Robert Mitchell movie centers on a 19-year-old young woman (played by Maika Monroe) who is followed and tormented by strange visions of an unknown supernatural force after having a sexual encounter.

In the same vein as last year’s disturbing horror flick Smile, in which the protagonist is, too, haunted by a sinister presence, this fan-favorite film has captured the attention of many, mostly given its refreshing narrative and creepy atmosphere. At its core, Robert Mitchell’s visually alluring horror sheds light on the loss of innocence and emerging sexuality. It also subtly tackles sexual assault, especially considering that the unnamed entity is passed on from victim to victim through sexual intercourse.

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6 ‘Under the Skin’ (2013)

Directed by Jonathan Glazer

Featuring one of Scarlett Johansson’s best performances, this visually stunning arthouse film is a horror science fiction mystery that centers around an extraterrestrial who disguises herself as an attractive young woman. She then lures lonely men into her van during the night in Scotland.

With a very intriguing, creative premise, Jonathan Glazer’s R-rated Under the Skin tackles important topics, such as self and gender identity. While it is a polarizing movie that may not appeal to some (some viewers even find it a bit tedious), Glazer’s film is worth checking — its absorbing, immersive imagery and haunting environment make for an unforgettable watch. Additionally, one of the film’s most valuable assets is the way it handles male-female sexual dynamics, shining a light on feminist themes.

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5 ‘Titane’ (2021)

Directed by Julia Ducournau

Titane tells the story of a girl who undergoes a massive head injury as a child and has a titanium plate inserted into her skull. When Alexia (Agathe Rousselle) comes of age, she starts working at a car show in order to relieve her traumatic experience with cars. What’s more, she develops an unconventional, bizarre attraction to automobiles over time.

A masterfully directed film by French filmmaker Julia Ducournau, the shocking Palme d’Or horror winner offers audiences a never-seen-before premise that reflects on universal themes, including family dynamics. Still, one of its most defining elements is sexuality, and how it is often connected with deep-rooted trauma. With surrealist tones and top-notch cinematography, this body horror is certainly worth a look. It is also worth noting that Raw, another film by Ducournau, also fits the bill.

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4 ‘X’ (2022)

Directed by Ti West

As many would agree, X is a movie that immediately comes to mind when the subject is horror features about sexuality. Ti West’s film is the first of the franchise and centers around a small crew of young filmmakers who gather and head to an elderly couple’s rural Texas property to make an adult film. However, they soon find themselves threatened by the peculiar, reclusive couple.

Tackling aging and eroticism (not only through the protagonist’s demeanor but also the sexually repressed elderly woman), West’s homage to 1970s horror is undoubtedly one of the most compelling A24 horror films of recent times, and one of the best horrors of the 2020s so far. It also features a generous amount of gruesome scenes — given its bloody moments and sickeningly explicit content, the film is a solid pick for those who enjoy gory slashers. Much like X, Pearl is also a valuable example of sexuality in the genre.

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3 ‘Thirst’ (2009)

Directed by Park Chan-wook

This unconventional and underappreciated vampire flick is a quirky, impeccable effort from the talented filmmaker. With an inventive narrative, Thirst depicts a failed medical experiment with a priest (Song Kang-ho) at its center. When he is stricken with vampirism and brought to life as a bloodthirsty creature, he seems himself forced to leave his ascetic ways.

Equal parts bloody and sensual, the stylish R-rated South Korean film is a must-see for anyone who sees vampirism as a metaphor for social desires; it is a refreshing take on the genre that adds an offbeat spin on the vampire myth. Thirst is one of the most disturbing South Korean psychological horrors, and its erotic nature makes it even more appealing and unique.

2 ‘Black Swan’ (2010)

Directed by Darren Aronofsky

Starring Natalie Portman in her Oscar-winning performance, Black Swan is a thoroughly captivating film that deals with mental health in a very intriguing way. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, it follows a talented but mentally unstable ballerina who is on the verge of stardom. She is, however, constantly pushed to the breaking point by her abusive artistic director (Vincent Cassell) and seductive, charming rival (Mila Kunis).

Through its “descend into a nightmare” narrative, Black Swan provides audiences with a memorable time in front of the screen. Aronosfsky’s film is just an incredible surrealist watch from beginning to end, and its top-notch direction and performances play a huge role in that. Furthermore, Black Swan possesses several sexual undertones, reflecting on repressed sexuality and womanhood.

1 ‘The Handmaiden’ (2016)

Directed by Park Chan-wook

The second Park Chan-wook film on this list tells the thrilling story of a young pickpocket woman who is recruited by a conman who plans to seduce, marry, and eventually abandon a wealthy woman, taking with him her money. The young girl works as her handmaiden. However, complications arise when feelings between the two women develop.

Originally based on the 2002 novel “Fingersmith” by the talented Welsh lesbian writer Sarah Waters (with the setting changed from Victorian-era Britain to Korea under Japanese colonial rule), The Handmaiden is a fantastic LGBT period drama with a queer relationship at its heart. Categorized as both an erotic thriller and psychological horror, The Handmaiden is a passionate, out-of-the-box tale of forbidden love that tackles themes of sexual liberation.

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