From Wuthering Heights to Bridgerton, it’s clear sexy stuff on screen is never going out of style.
But it does feel like we don’t quite get as much graphic stuff as frequently nowadays. And for some, that’s probably a good thing, as one 2013 film still leaves scars for viewers.
It stars the likes of Shia LaBeouf, Mia Goth, Stellan Skarsgård, Uma Thurman and Willem Dafoe.
Directed by the infamous Lars von Trier, there’s plenty of warnings out there for watching the graphic movie known for its ‘severe’ unsimulated sex scenes.
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Yeah, this 18-rated movie is pretty well known for that, with it following the erotic life of woman from birth to the age of 18. Although, while the sex scenes weren’t technically filmed quite as they appear, there’s no denying it’s full on.
Check out the trailer for the film, called Nymphomaniac: Vol 1:
Warning over Nymphomaniac: Vol 1
The Danish filmmaker is known for his provocative style and some say Nymphomaniac is his most provocative of all.
But it’s apparently not just a movie you can throw on, you need to be aware of what it is before you jump scare yourself.
One viewer summed this up as they warned on Rotten Tomatoes: “It's definitely not to everyone's taste, and like Showgirls, you have to WANT to see it. It's not just some movie you randomly pick on a whim.”
They then continued: “The story itself explores this not-so-innocent topic with as much innocence as possible, notably the copious amounts of humour sprinkled throughout, which I wasn't really expecting. Unbelievable cast.”
Another said the film has a ‘near absurd level of extreme sexual content’ but that it’s ‘more moving an funnier’ than expected.
“Be warned – this is not for all tastes,” one simply wrote.
How Nymphomaniac’s unsimulated sex scenes were actually filmed
Notably, the film has long been famous for featuring ‘unsimulated’ sex scenes, but it’s not quite what meets the eye.
Before filming began, LaBeouf admitted he was ‘terrified’ of shooting as he told MTV in 2012 that it required the cast to perform ‘genuine’ sexual acts.
“There’s a disclaimer at the top of the script that basically says, we’re doing [the sex] for real,” he claimed. “And anything that is ‘illegal’ will be shot in blurred images, but other than that, everything is happening.”
Although, that wasn’t necessarily the case as body doubles were actually used to digitally impose over the stars.
Movie producer Louise Vesth previously told The Hollywood Reporter: “We shot the actors pretending to have sex and then had the body doubles, who really did have sex, and in post (production) we will digital-impose the two.
“So above the waist it will be the star and then below the waist it will be the doubles.”
Where can I watch Nymphomaniac: Vol 1?
In the UK, Nymphomaniac: Vol 1 is available to stream as part of the BFI Player subscription. The site costs £6.99 per month but offers a 14-day free trial for new subscribers.
Alternatively, you can buy or rent a digital copy on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and the Sky Store, though prices may vary by platform.
Other movies where actors have actual unsimulated sex in them
While some films carefully craft scenes just for the camera, others go all the way and feature unsimulated sex scenes.
Antichrist (2009)
Starring Willem Dafoe and Charlotte Gainsbourg, Antichrist follows a couple who carry out acts of sexual behaviour and sadomasochism when they initially sought safety in a cabin.
With the main theme of religion as its backdrop, the actors are replaced with body doubles and have intercourse by a dead tree, where bodies are kept in the exposed roots - making for a very uneasy watch.
The Brown Bunny (2003)
Vincent Gallo wrote, directed and starred in his 2003 movie The Brown Bunny alongside Chloë Sevigny.
A scene that drew significant controversy at the time shows Sevigny’s character performing unsimulated oral sex on Gallo, something she later dubbed 'very complicated'.
She told Playboy in 2001 that the scene elicited 'a lot of emotions', adding: "I'll probably have to go to therapy at some point."
But Sevigny went on to admit: "But I love Vincent. The film is tragic and beautiful, and I'm proud of it and my performance.
"I'm sad that people think one way of the movie, but what can you do? I've done many explicit sex scenes, but I'm not that interested in doing any more. I'm more self-aware now and wouldn't be able to be as free, so why even do it?"
Love (2015)
Gaspar Noé’s film follows a passionate couple who introduce a third person to their relationship, which they later regret as she becomes pregnant.
Starring Aomi Muyock, Karl Glusman and Klara Kristin as the throuple, it follows the characters as they break up and one is left with the third in a loveless relationship.
The unsimulated sex scenes are pretty shocking and even include a graphic ejaculation scene.
9 Songs (2004)
The flick sees Kieran O'Brien and Margo Stilley take part in a number of sex scenes - something the latter has spoken out about.
Addressing the heavy backlash the 9 Songs received, Stilley told LADbible: "It's a shame that it's been torn apart into these little pieces and bastardised online, to be honest."
Intimacy (2001)
In the 2001 release Intimacy, actors Mark Rylance and Kerry Fox engage in an unsimulated oral sex scene.
Reflecting on the movie, Rylance said it was the 'most difficult job' he's taken on in his career.
He explained: "I was convinced it was a vital story about the difficulties people face finding intimacy in a big city like London.
"Hanif Kureishi's writing couldn't have been more intimate and revealing, but I found the making of the film and the subsequent publicity and personal attacks very, very painful. I wish I hadn't made it."
Meanwhile, Fox claimed it was 'not one of her regrets'.
Topics: Shia LaBeouf, Sex and Relationships, TV and Film
Jess Battison