Upamanyu Biswas
Topics of taboos have always existed among human societies. It is a way of discouraging certain practices that the larger community feels are too egregious to give credence to, either in thought or in the actual physical sense. However, given their shocking nature, it is no surprise that films have delved into the contentious landscape of taboo subject matter to provoke discourse among their audience. As there are no boundaries in the artistic venture of filmmaking, the following movies embody that selfsame belief and look to spark conversations among their viewers – whether good or bad. Here is the list of best taboo movies on Hulu.
9. Three Ways (2022)
‘Three Ways’ jumps into the perceived taboo of sexual freedom through the eyes of a sexually awkward woman named Stacey Johnson. After breaking up with her ex, Stacey wishes to shatter her fears around the subject of sex by engaging in an act of threesome with her new boyfriend and an enigmatic woman. Writer and director Jamal Dedeaux’s exploration of a ménage à trois may seem less shocking in the context of modern relationships. However, it is in its probing into a young woman’s sexuality that the film dives into taboo subject matter, earning it a place on this list. You can watch the movie here.
8. Sharp Stick (2022)
Written, directed, and produced by Lena Dunham, ‘Sharp Stick,’ revolves around a naïve 26-year-old woman named Sarah Jo (Kristine Froseth) who lives on the edges of Hollywood and is mostly unaware of the world of relationships. However, things change when she falls into an affair with a much older, married man named Josh (Jon Bernthal), prompting her to break her fears and get her feet wet proverbially.
The comedy-drama imposes a sense of taboo on topics of sexuality through the inexperience of the protagonist, who is entirely new to the world of sex and relationships. Her subsequent experiences with longing, desire, and sexual liberation cause her to grow and develop as she embarks on a quest for personal discovery. At the same time, diving into the awkward world where youth and sex blend, feelings of messy transitions are ripe to abound. The film can be seen here.
7. Anaïs In Love (2022)
Originally titled ‘Les amours d’Anaïs,’ the French comedy film helmed by Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet tells the story of Anaïs, a young woman who is in a passionless relationship with her boyfriend, Raoul. She subsequently begins having an affair with an older publisher named Daniel, who falls in love with her during an event. However, the young woman’s attention is sparked by Daniel’s partner, Emilie, with whom Anaïs becomes progressively smitten.
While illicit love affairs are taboo in every generation, the sharply-written romance drama by Bourgeois-Tacquet taps into the fiery nature of infatuation and how it sees no distinction between right and wrong. The film’s conviction lies in its sensitive depiction of people’s fickle feelings of lust and love and the unpredictable nature of both when it comes to the choices we make. The film is available to watch here.
6. Tell It to the Bees (2018)
Life in the 1950s was a period of closed mindsets. In the British drama ‘Tell it to the Bees,’ Dr. Jean Markham (Anna Paquin) finds herself the subject of ostracization in a rural Scottish town when she begins a romantic relationship with Lydia Weekes (Holliday Grainger), a mother who is facing marital problems. Directed by Annabel Jankel, the film is an adaptation of Fiona Shaw’s 2009 titular novel, which dives into the heady lesbian romance between two women in a challenging era of societal and sexual repression. Jean and Lydia’s passionate affair becomes a hot topic among the town’s naysayers and the larger community, who view their relationship as taboo. Check out the film here.
5. Sanctuary (2022)
In ‘Sanctuary,’ a wealthy businessman named Hal Porterfield (Christopher Abbott) has to contend with his dominatrix Rebecca Marin (Margaret Qualley) after he earns a promotion to the post of CEO of a large company. The psychological comedy directed by Zachary Wigon peels back the layers of an S&M-style relationship in which both parties try to assert their dominance during one final session. While the presence of these relationships is not uncommon in modern times, its depiction of battling power dynamics within an artificial setting makes for an intriguing taboo film where pain, humiliation, degradation, and catharsis are all tied into one. It can be streamed here.
4. Good Luck To You, Leo Grande (2022)
Directed by Sophia Hyde, ‘Good Luck To You, Leo Grande‘ follows the exploits of a retired widow, Nancy Stokes (Emma Thompson), who hires a young sex worker named Leo Grande (Daryl McCormack) to help her ignite her sexual life which has been unfulfilled as of yet. Although the relationship begins as a purely transactional encounter, the pair soon develop an intimate bond despite their stark age differences.
The narrative probes into the conventions and norms of society with regard to age and sexuality, asking pertinent questions about what is and isn’t accepted. While Nancy’s desires may seem off-limits to the broader sensibility, the film promptly disregards any boundaries on the topic of sexual exploration, invoking thought-provoking discussions about the well-defined roles everyone inhabits in their lives. Watch the film here.
3. Deep Water (2022)
The erotic psychological thriller ‘Deep Water,’ directed by Adrian Lyne, tells the story of Vic Van Allen (Ben Affleck), a well-off man who allows his wife Melinda (Ana de Armas) to cheat on him for fear that she might leave him otherwise. Soon, things go awry when all of Melinda’s lovers vanish, and suspicion is cast on Vic for their disappearance. Based on the 1957 eponymous novel by Patricia Highsmith, the film depicts a taboo scenario of consensual cuckoldry that eventually turns into something much darker. Its examination of unconventional relationship dynamics makes it an intriguing watch, illustrating the complexities of promiscuous sexual relations in the confines of a husband-wife relationship. The film can be watched here.
2. Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
Originally titled ‘Portrait de la jeune fille en feu,‘ the French historical drama, ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire‘ depicts a blossoming lesbian love story between a painter, Marianne (Noémie Merlant), and a reluctant bride, Héloïse (Adèle Haenel). The two form an intensely painful and provocative relationship during Marianne’s painting sessions, which Héloïse refuses to attend. So, the painter observes her by day and paints her secretly by night. Writer and director Céline Sciamma portrays their companionship in a sensitive and delicate light devoid of any musical score.
Set during the 1770s in France, the private and personal exploration of how a forbidden romance between two women can go beyond the norm regarding its emotional depth is as staggering to witness as the characters who live through the turmoil. ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire‘ is a triumph of new age filmmaking, which probes into subject matters that, while out of the ordinary, expose the same human heart at its core that beats across other grand conventional narratives. The film picked up numerous accolades and is a must-watch for stories that break the norm. You can stream it here.
1. Thirteen (2003)
Catherine Hardwicke’s teen drama ‘Thirteen’ takes a deep dive into underage sexual behavior by showing how the unaddressed issues of a teenage girl lead to her getting involved in sex and drugs to vent out her trauma. 13-year-old Tracy Freeland’s alcoholic mom didn’t care much for her, and she turns to her “popular” schoolmate for help, subsequently going down the rabbit hole of all things taboo. Starring Evan Rachel Wood as Tracy and Nikki Reed as the popular girl Evie, ‘Thirteen’ is a powerful commentary on ignored and desperate adolescence. You can watch it here.
Read More: Best Taboo Shows on Netflix
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