Why Sex No Longer Sells in Hollywood

[@thetake]

WATCH MORE: Love is in the air -- but so are all the red flags. Why do we love romance stories where both partners are responsible for some devastatingly cringe-worthy behavior? Here's our take on "Red Flag Romance" and why we can't look away: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mKuqnneHqcl1jbc

[@katherinealvarez9216]

Whatever happened to that Harry Potter is the villain video? Did WB force you to take it down? Though to be honest, it was a stupid video.

[@iamV10010]

​@@katherinealvarez9216you seem nice 😐

[@katherinealvarez9216]

@@iamV10010 I mean, I didn't like it but it just vanished. And I don't think it was done because we all thought it was a poorly thought video essay. I really do think it's because WB did a copyright strike. Which is a problem.

[@gaya3thiru277]

Which series it is at 9:00 ?

[@imani2160]

While I don't disagree at all, I thought it was weird given how much focus you gave to Marvel properties how you didn't mention She-Hulk. Particularly as an example of how the past sexual mores of television have changed. On Disney+ no less, She-Hulk's whole first season revolved in part around her sex life and the injustice of being slut-shamed. And she slept with Daredevil (among other people)! No, it wasn't graphic but it was prominent. Weird omission.

[@hootmess3312]

I had always assumed it was because sex was being overused to sell, and caused a sort of fatigue in movie-goers. This actually makes a lot more sense, and seems like a good reason why Hollywood is simply dying out in our new media landscape.

[@_Alimm]

I believe that's apart of the reason too.

[@madnessarcade7447]

It’s not completely dying with things like the porn industry and onlyfans doing so well

[@ggZuper]

adult films are widely available this time than before

[@stargates9993]

@Hoot Mess Exactly! It was too much. Couldn't even watch movies in peace with kids around, without those awkward moments at every turn. It was too much! They even put those hot scenes when it was super obvious they were not needed! Started to wonder if they were starting to get too lazy! It's better this way.

[@rvawildcardwolf2843]

@@stargates9993 I agree. I'm sure some people are missing the "realness" But if you want to watch people "make love" just rent a skin-flick and leave the rest of us out of it. Let me enjoy my popcorn escapism in peace. I don't need characters fucking or exploring polyamory, or whatever the hell these people need to justify watching a movie. Movies are supposed to be fun, and if you're not a very sex-oriented person, there's no problem with them not being sexy.

[@simonestewart68]

Feel like there was a missed opportunity to talk about the impact of MeToo. The overwhelming shift in audience’s attitudes toward Hollywood sexuality and exploitation

[@seto_kaiba_]

Sexuality and exploitation is not synonymous. This is why I say the MeToo movement kinda turned into a prudish moral panic.

[@NA86737]

@@seto_kaiba_ to the progressive hard left woman and male feminist who pretends to support it does. We used to mock the Andrea Dworkins anti-sex view as reactionary and no different than religious conservatism.

[@seto_kaiba_]

@@NA86737 Exactly!

[@HexleysCauldron]

That's a big part of it too I feel. A lot of studios would rather not do it rather than put in the effort to make sure their workers are comfortable anyway. There are a lot of people that are more upfront about not want to partake in something if they knew the actors involved were extremely uncomfortable or being coerced into doing it. Euphoria is a good example because Sydney Sweeny had a lot of sex scenes and nude scenes and people were genuinely worried she was being coerced into those scenes giving the nature of how her character ends up in those scenes to begin.

[@stephennootens916]

There is vary little difference and such anti sex views will hurt the left in the end.

[@reese9290]

I wonder how much of this has to do with the actors' choices. Many actors don't want to do nudity and I have heard many interviews where they say filming sex scenes is terrible.

[@samf.s.7731]

It was made to be a very uncomfortable experience for a lot of them. Emilia Clarke went to the bathroom and cried after the very first Daenerys assault scene. I didn't need to see it, and most certainly after hearing what the actress had to say I never reconsidered. She is my favorite on that show.

[@SwitchxA]

True, METOO helped push back on the concession that to get big roles or work at all you need to debase yourself and give in to the male gaze. Whether it's the producer, director, or costars who want to objectify you.

[@thomasnielsen5580]

Metoo is the definitive answer. You can see it in HBO series before and after Metoo.

[@fromthehaven94]

I have heard about intimacy coordinators hired to be a third party between actors doing the scenes that would have been filmed on closed sets in the past.

[@joepiekl]

I'm not sure that's true, because it's still just as common on streaming platforms. Actors talk about shooting awkward sex scenes because that's what interviewers always ask about. It doesn't mean they're not willing to do them any more. I think the real reason is that almost all big Hollywood films are basically films for children now. I'm 38 and I live in Malaysia, so our cinemas only really get the big blockbusters from Hollywood. We don't really get any of the independent American films, and I can't remember the last time I saw anything on in the cinema that I wanted to watch. It's all superheroes and animated franchises. And that's the other reason. Increasingly, they're being made for a worldwide audience, many of which are even more prudish than America when it comes to nudity and sex. My Netflix in Malaysia is completely uncensored, but if I go to the cinema, any sort of nudity is blurred out.

[@hobabi]

i honestly haven't even noticed how there's less sex scenes in movies, maybe because to me they were never important and sometimes can be uncomfortable.

[@micah4847]

Same tbh

[@vanessac8193]

Romantic tension, healthy relationships are way more of a turn on for me than seeing the actors pretend to have sex with each other. I have *more* than enough imagination for that part if I'm into the story.

[@l.tc.5032]

I know I went to see the Titanic re-release last week and while I love the movie I closed my eyes during in the NSFW scenes. It felt so awkward especially in a room full of strangers.

[@robyn3590]

Me too. I love my Suspense Thrillers. Don't mind seeing abit of intimacy on screen but not a full on sex scene. Besides,the actors don't even look like they want to kiss when they have a kiss scene🥴🤣

[@analusilvaj]

Couldn't agree more!

[@blackdragon6]

The fact that violence is a lot less controversial than sex and nudity is WILD AF

[@Tishauna7]

I love both, but I totally agree with this.

[@thomasnielsen5580]

only in america.

[@chaaaargh]

don't love seeing an excess of either in any movie or tv show so...

[@lisaw150]

Also "profanity". I remember seeing a film censored for the US on a flight to New York. It had a scene of a guy being tortured in a jail cell, really brutal. But him swearing was beeped out haha American priorities I guess

[@sarahaque1382]

Cuz violent scenes aren’t annoying and you can watch it infront of kids/family members

[@_Alimm]

Sex scenes used to be about telling a story of passion and intimacy and began being used for shock value. Hard, fast, loud and senseless. Audiences became grossed out even in TV streaming people complain it's just overdone (ex. Euphoria) I also believe there's need for diverse groups of women to be in these writing room creating sexual scenes to make them a less hollow and objectifying fantasy for only men.

[@HexleysCauldron]

The Handmaiden did it right when they had the guys leave the room during the sex scenes so the actresses wouldn't be uncomfortable. Even the way the scenes are shown prioritize the intimacy rather than just showing the actresses naked. The titillation (for lack of a better term lol) comes from those two being with someone that makes them feel good and the fact that they can pursue their relationship even if it's forbidden and they're in secret.

[@maryp9923]

100% it wouldn’t be weird if it didn’t feel like it was only for men. I can not even think about how many movies I’ve watched where’s there’s literally a scene out of nowhere with a women full tiddies out as if they couldn’t give her a bra or something. It’s clear the producers were just getting frisky. Like idk it doesn’t have to be raunchy like it often is

[@afrosamourai400]

Sex scenes are just for sex..not intimacy or anything else..

[@hurremhightower]

not everyone has sex for those reasons,i get your point but is kind of obvious those scenes are not for everyone

[@skellymom]

Can we just have better written relationships in general without creepy will they/won't they? And if sex is part of this to further plot or characterization. I also think it's more common to show violence and war than people being intimate, which is alarming. We don't even get great kissing scenes or long loving hugs, platonic or otherwise. Love can be physical, not necessarily considered dirty, either. Sometimes It feels like the Hayes code never went away.

[@NA86737]

How about also presenting sex that is not depressing (Euphoria) and show it as fun, enjoyable and the act between 2 people who like each other and are connected.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I love long hugs that show the intimacy and they feel better than sex. I always remember this line in glee where kurt says that he likes ild movies because the finger touching is as sexy as it gets and that is why the Reylo scene in the last jedi where their hands touch is way more intimate and loved by fans than a sex scene. This is my long way of saying I agree.

[@rosacentifollia]

100% agree.

[@DSQueenie]

How is will they won’t they creepy?

[@oliviah.4741]

I totally agree

[@tamsmartin1]

Kdramas manage to portray romance and intimacy really well and they do it without blatant sex scenes.

[@normalouis8593]

Agreed

[@mffmoniz2948]

Kdramas take 24 episodes to fall in love and finally end with a kiss. They focus on the romance. But let's admit. No matter how awesome to enjoy, it's usually very far away from reality. In western media... either they go to sex too soon and give it way too much importance, or it's ignored.

[@tamsmartin1]

@@mffmoniz2948 ok yeah will admit the build up is kind of long but I really like the style of humour they intersplice throughout, and the friendships they have between the characters, so this all makes the slow build all good.

[@mffmoniz2948]

@@tamsmartin1 Very good. The slow build up, although somewhat unrealistic is a nice escape from the usual "hi-let'sgotobed". Sex is not the end-game, it's not the only thing that makes a relationship (unless you still a teen). But too often it's shown in media as the end line, the finishing meta. Sort of like the "married and lived happily forever". On the other spectrum it has zero importance. You go to bed the same way you pass a stranger on the street. Sharing your body is your choice, but should be valued.

[@IlyRecordare]

Exactly

[@madixxoo]

This issue is pretty layered. Americans are very puritan in thought when it comes to sex in film compared to things like violence. Both can be gratuitous and uncomfortable yet we only really complain about sex despite it being a more natural, common, part of life. Obviously, I’m not saying violence doesn’t happen, but the level of violence we’re constantly shown in TV and film is not normal in day to day life yet we don’t bat an eye at it. We’re really desensitized to violence here. However, I think what puts Americans off to sex and nudity is that it’s used pretty frivolously in media and often disrupts the flow of what you’re watching. It’s like American screenwriters are incapable of building relationships in film without sex scenes (and often don’t develop the relationship at all in their race to get to the sex scene). It often feels like we’re stopping the plot to have sex. I’ve seen some amazing media here where it’s obvious that the sex scenes are adding value and providing context and character building but I feel like that’s not always the case. You can make the same argument against violence, but again, Americans are desensitized to that, so violence being gratuitous is better tolerated. I don’t think sex scenes being included is bad but there is also an actor and an industry behind them to consider. It’s not great ethically that actors may feel pressured to be naked or they won’t get work for certain types of movies or shows, especially the way American media frames sex, and even more so with the way the industry treats women. I think sex and nudity are shown in more organic ways with less sexualized framing in other countries so that may be why it tends to be better tolerated in foreign films. I don’t think sex and nudity are bad or something we should necessarily see less but I think the way that it’s framed in American media needs to change a bit.

[@d.o.vitelli5855]

This comment is even better than the take in the video

[@yuriajones]

This is such a wonderful analysis of the topic. Thank you for taking the time to share.

[@stevenscott2136]

The violence is much more often needed to move the plot forward. Stories are built on conflict, and violence is a major part of so many forms of conflict. While sex is typically an "ending trope" -- once the characters start having sex, the story has basically turned into a "chick flick", and you lose the whole male audience, who have no interest in watching people bicker over who has to get up to see why the baby is crying.

[@fcv4616]

Bravo! Great comment!

[@jayc7737]

Great comment. I agree with you on how American films portray sex and nudity. For example, European films show sex and nudity more organically. You can have people naked in scenes where they are just changing clothes or a couple talking while showering, nonsexual at all. And it is well received because that's normal human behavior. People undress and do not always do it to have sex. Show the same scene to an American audience and they will just see nudity=sex.

[@SieMarie]

Sex scenes got super gratuitous at one point & a lot of times, had no overall impact on the plot or character development. They usually just provided a vehicle to show off some actress’ boobs. Actually kinda glad that one type of female objectification has lessened & wish they would bring it to those tv shows that are taking up the “not super necessary to include it, but we think it makes us edgy” slack.

[@lilith1493]

The problem is that the response is a fascist moralist one, not a feminist one which has led to a generation of a youth who believes sex is immoral and used only to hurt and abuse others.

[@BiblicalllyAccurateAngel]

I think the only show that made sex part of its appeal and inherent to the narrative and vibe they were trying to convey was Spartacus. Sure, there's probably other shows, but Spartacus was all about sex&violence, so if you watch that show YOU KNOW what kind of content you're getting. It's different from other shows that you're not expecting it when you watch.

[@salamander8301]

Yup, I find it pretty boring.

[@giniabornnraised]

I was surprised that they didn’t mention this. 80s-10s all had so many sex scenes that weren’t necessary to the plot and are now just implied. They mentioned Game of Thrones in here which is interesting because that show had so many unnecessary sex scenes in the beginning versus towards the end. I thought that it had to do with the me too movement.

[@PrincessKLS]

What movie or show comes to mind when you are talking about gratuitous movie scenes?

[@madnessarcade7447]

Sex does sell but only when actors want to do it Not every actor wants to do nude scenes whether it’s for religious reasons or to preserve a squeaky clean image Consensual sex sells

[@HalE14]

Yes!! And I agree that they shouldn’t HAVE to do it! Sex is so personal! It reminds me a lot of when actors are pressured to lose weight for a role. Sure they look skinny but it’s unhealthy and probably not worth it for a movie that’s such a temporary part of their lives. It’s just not worth ruining peoples psyches over to me. I think sex has a lot of that same effect. You should be comfortable and it should absolutely be consensual!

[@rebeccassweetmusic4632]

Yes!!!! Also, self-respect and knowing your worth and what you are and aren't comfortable with. Plus, you can get a sweet and kinda sexy scene without it having to be full-blown sex and nudity

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@rebeccassweetmusic4632 the self respect part comes off as judgemental but agree with the rest

[@madnessarcade7447]

@@HalE14 true

[@babu357]

@@rebeccassweetmusic4632 Yes, that's what she (unknowingly) pointed out herself in the Spiderman movie. It was just a kiss. That's all that was needed. Anymore would've ruined the moment.

[@jessicavictoriacarrillo7254]

Can we talk about the "character violates everyone's boundaries but a works out" trope? The only time I saw it done right where acknowledge its a problem was the Recess episode "Old Folks Home"

[@EVHORIA4EVER]

Que?

[@barose1]

a = it?

[@joeclarke7982]

Could you give an example?

[@t.fairuz29]

I thought the episode was called "The Pest", with that annoying kid having a crush on Gretchen?

[@adsstories4911]

@@joeclarke7982 The best example that comes to my mind is the Netflix show “Never Have I Ever” The main character is such a toxic friend and person she ditches her friends for a guy she makes everything about herself, she breaks commitments yet the story/plot portrays her as someone you have to route for

[@ShawnRavenfire]

A lot of sex scenes in the past have been gratuitous, and most of the romantic subplots seem hamfisted into the story, as if some writer realized at the last minute that he forgot to check "love interest" off his checklist. I'm glad to see more modern movies realizing that they don't NEED a love/sex story to be tacked on.

[@tygressblade]

A lot of sex scenes have become soft core porn and boring.

[@guyr3618]

I mean, you could say that about most action scenes too. That doesn't mean you need to erase them, the way modern blockbuster movies erase sex scenes.

[@NA86737]

Okay conservative

[@zitronentee]

@@guyr3618 Action scenes also need to add something to the story. Usually also show the world-building and character. if not, the action scenes deemed unimportant and gratuitous.

[@guyr3618]

@@zitronentee Of course. And many action scenes ARE gratuitous and unimportant, and yet they don't disappear from cinema like sex scenes did.

[@amyadams9970]

Personally, I don't see a problem with less sex in movies. I grew up watching sex everywhere, and sometimes it wasn't consensual for both genders. I like that now sex being more explored and looked through a positive lense, rather than dirty-joke ones. You also have to consider the MeToo movement and other stuff since it got a big push when celebrities started to tell their stories. It could also be that sex can be a senative thing to watch and that something people are avioding, personally, I feel that some directors and creates in todays world of Hollywood movies just dont do it right. Compare 50 shades of grey, three movies that were supposed to be about the joy of sex through the female lens, as well as the enjoyment of BDSM. But the film did neither of that. Compare it to The secretary, a film from the 2000s that had the same theme and came from a book. The director also had a lot of female workers helping in the production of the movie to make the female experience more better than a man's. While in 50 shades, it was mostly men writing and directing the movie.

[@jeffersonhassan4558]

I wish I could like this a billion times,there were movies bombarded with sex scenes that were literally useless to the plot

[@harrytimmy5070]

@@jeffersonhassan4558 and they were always for the male gaze.

[@cristinarivera5707]

The Secretary was an amazing movie! Maggie Gyllenhaal’s performance was everything.

[@slayerduval1]

The Secretary was incredible. Such a perverse, yet sensual film done correctly.

[@amyadams9970]

@@jeffersonhassan4558 when I read this, American pie came to mind

[@omfghailmao]

I'm glad the landscape is shifting and more actors are advocating for themselves. We've heard too many stories of actors (especially women) being pressured into these scenes and sometimes having traumatizing experiences. I'm fine with fewer sex scenes if the result is that actors are having their boundaries respected and feeling overall much safer.

[@bekahswanson]

I actually like the fact that more movies aren’t going for the sex/nude scenes. The fact that massive blockbusters can have major success without sex/nude scenes is a win in my eyes. Nudity in movies can be powerful, whether to amp up the vulnerability/intimacy of a scene or to add comedic effect, but it shouldn’t always be required of a movie. Same with sex scenes. Actors shouldn’t have to feel like they have to “bare all” to have a successful career. In any other career, if someone was asked to undress, their employer would be fired for harassment or coercion. Sex scenes still exist in cinema and television, but they don’t have to be in every movie. The fact that Zendaya has established a boundary of not doing nude scenes but still has had a long, successful career with many accolades is a massive win for not only her but actors everywhere

[@Puerco-Potter]

I think a nude model employer will ve fired to ask that of a nude model. Like for an art class. I know what you mean. But there are situations were sexuality and nudity are not and should not be a taboo. No one should be pressured, but the option shouldn't be banned altogether.

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

@@Puerco-Potter It's not exactly banned, but falling out of favour. Personally, too many sex scenes are gratuitous or just plain boring. I remember very few sex scenes, but the ones I do are seared in my memory.

[@georockstar09]

@@Puerco-Potter I think it's been opposite of taboo... especially in the 90's

[@mirandaangel21]

Zendaya isn't doing it, but she's part of a TV show (Euphoria) which includes nudity and sex scenes. I'm not sure whether that's better or worse....

[@Theomite]

@bekah Fair enough, but romantic scenes or even relationships shouldn't always be required of characters in movies. Yet almost every movie out there turns the male and female leads (or hell, even leads period) into romantic partners and it's as ludicrous as shoehorned sex scenes.

[@hel59]

The points about sex in tv shows were thought-provoking. I also find it interesting that Hollywood is reluctant to depict adults having sex, but the idea of showing highly eroticised ‘teens’ (played by adults) in TV is acceptable, e.g. Euphoria, Riverdale. This is why sex education is great because it shows the realistic awkwardness of teen sex which de-eroticises it to an extent

[@stephennootens916]

Sex and teen dramas is nothing new, it goes back as far as Dawson's Creek.

[@hel59]

@@stephennootens916 interesting, that even further highlights the levels of acceptance between the two media types

[@hel59]

@Princess Azula you agree with my comment that it’s highly eroticised then

[@NJGuy1973]

​@@stephennootens916James at 15. Google that.

[@kokuinomusume]

If you ever read a romance novel, when there's a sex scene it's always because it either furthers the romance plot or adds characterisation and depth to the characters (these characters talk and communicate during sex! They express what they need or want!). Sex scenes in movies are mostly skippable because they don't add more characterization than "yup, our characters are heterosexual". They don't even have dialogue for the most part. They're boring. Do we need yet another iteration of woman on top with the bra on, lower half of the body draped in bedsheets while the lead actor is just there on the bed? When you add to that the tradition of pushing actors to do things they never wanted to do in the first place, sex scenes end up not just irrelevant to the movie, but also really crummy. Who can enjoy watching The Last Tango in Paris knowing that it was rape filmed on screen?

[@shirendjorgee9320]

To be fair, I have read books that do the same thing. However, unecessary sex scenes in books make me less uncomfortable than ones in movies

[@stephennootens916]

Some of those books can be pretty filth special when you get into erotica romance.

[@mffmoniz2948]

I just roll my eyes at the bra still on. Why bother filming that? We all know the bra HAS to go. Very few exceptions where the bra stays on, and even then it's not fully on... ;)

[@patiencejewel]

I wish you had brought in the MeToo movement as well as psychology's and psychotherapy's recent deeper understandings of trauma and the need for consent. This is such an important topic that I'd say it needs its own video! Please make one!!

[@bearsutter9639]

but there is an understanding pg-13 and up movies will probably contain sexual scenes. it states the exact contents on every trailer in the little box. granted it’s little. still general audiences are still made aware of this through ratings. .. perphaps i’m just feeling nostalgic.

[@HyperWolf]

@@bearsutter9639 I think they meant actors. A lot of them, Emilia Clarke and Henry Cavill come to mind the quickest, really didn’t like those scenes at all and have stated that given the choice they would choose not to shoot them. A lot of actors and actresses feel they have to agree to those type of scenes or they won’t get roles, especially people just starting out, hence why consent should be part of the narrative.

[@charlottemedina8209]

Yup! I was a bit shocked The Take did not mention this since it's a very progressive and feminist channel, based on previous videos :/

[@LittleHobbit13]

_"Important narrative drivers"_ I would argue the "sex" itself is not the driver, but rather the driver the milestone moment of the relationship. You don't NEED to put sex on screen to move a story along in almost all cases, and they're often just gratuitous chances for the audience to see a naked body. There are other ways of showing intimacy that can achieve the same narrative goal. I feel like Bridgerton is a great example of both situations. They crammed so many sex scenes into S1 that served NO purpose other than "omg newlywed sex", but then in S2 the same electricity between leads was generated by just their _fingers reaching for each other as they pass._ You don't HAVE to depict the sex itself to show intimacy or relationship developments. And also, for my money as an Ace in a sex-obsessed world, it's kind of a nice change of pace to not have to sit there through seemingly endless sex scenes wondering when the scene will be over so they can get back to the story. They never seem to drive narrative to me, they usually just seem to interrupt it.

[@sparrowspotty]

i was looking for this comment as another ace. sex is fine if it's part of the story, but there was a time in tv and film when it was overly gratuitous and was just there for the nudity and shock value rather than being a part of the story.

[@athenajaxon2397]

I would argue it is important to watch Daphne explore her wants and show it through a female lens where her pleasure was the focus and not his

[@LittleHobbit13]

@@athenajaxon2397 I agree that's important to show, but it doesn't really take a non-stop montage of sex scenes to accomplish that.

[@jaydenklaus]

I was literally thinking this. I could care less if there was sex in whatever I'm watching. My asexual self just wants compelling storytelling and sex often delays that.

[@mapachem4828]

Yes! This! They went overboard with the sex scenes to the point that inviting someone to watch a movie became kind of "dangerous" and get really awkward on movies that doesnt need sex scenes or nobody would expect to see one on that story. It make those not suitable to watch with family over dinner or take my mother to the theatre or even give a recomendation for a good storie if they are f++ing everywhere. About the Bridgertones, I got so so bored sex overload between the blond and the duche that I stoped watching it before the end of the first season. It was stupid and boring AF.

[@jayquillberry4972]

As someone who's asexual I have nothing against sex but I don't see why this is an issue. It's not like they are saying sex is bad. I feel like for a long time sex has taken presidence over good writing and character relationships. I'm also not a fan of the way children and teen media have become so sexualized without addressing some of the consequences appropriately.

[@thesingerintheshower]

I agree.

[@oreochocolate_lavacake9960]

I agree with you so I am a teen myself especially with yes we're learning things and some of us may be having sex but it's not like that in reality teens get nervous and often don't know the emotional impact sex can have on them and that's why sex ed is also very important

[@thesingerintheshower]

@@oreochocolate_lavacake9960 yes!!!!

[@boogerdude]

Here's me watching a movie with sex scenes : and then they did the deed, thus moving their relationship into the future.... Where the fast forward at?

[@lucypreece7581]

I think the rise in the need of using an intimacy coordinator for sex scenes puts people off cus now they can't abuse, use or manipulate stars into doing inappropriate and uncomfortable things on camera.

[@NA86737]

You would think that as anti sex feminist

[@jeffersonhassan4558]

​@@NA86737and you would know that as a misogynistic prick

[@Tishauna7]

More likely they don't want to pay for one.

[@StylusShade]

I was actually waiting for them to mention this.

[@TheGamer2001]

@@NA86737 You would comment that as a pro-abuse migtau andrew tate simp.

[@Hallows4]

As true as all of this might be, I think it’s also indicative of something else; that sex and relationships are no longer as necessary as they used to be to actually move the plot along. You can read into that what you will, but maybe audiences have gotten to a point where the phenomenon has become passé and doesn’t ensure lasting dedication to a piece of work.

[@chipmunkpark8826]

I have issues with Sex Scenes...especially when they are filmed with newcomers in the Industry. They usually pick young female actresses (or men) who would say yes to anything in order to be in a movie, because they dont have the luxury of saying "no" to these scenes like Zendaya who asked not to show any skin in Euphoria. Also, when the Sex Scene is done without being relevant to the story...for me it's just shock value at the expense of the body integrity of the actors. The other day I was watching the Law according to Lydia Poet and the FIRST scene is she having sex...like was that necessary? Lydia was the first modern female lawyer in Italy, we didn't need to see her having sex and showing her nude body💀

[@marinaSassygUrl88]

This is exactly how I think of it. Exactly. It’s just unnecessary to the story…

[@politereminder6284]

Me too. It adds nothing to the story, and I imagine it can feel like sexual abuse towards some actors.

[@LittleHobbit13]

Yeah I don't feel like it's correct to say "hollywood has become prude-ish", as if to imply something is wrong with the choice. It's more just like audiences are realizing sex is just sex and doesn't add as much shock value as filmmakers once wanted to believe it did. It's just sex, and there are more important aspects of the characters' lives to focus on.

[@thomasnielsen5580]

i think the same can be said about violence, but they don't care about that in America. Personally, i don't mind nudity, i think it adds flavour to it all. It would be nice to get some of that back, and we will probably see a movement in the future.

[@JERSEYBOYPLAY2HARD]

Sorry but that’s not fair to the writer of the film .

[@Datwaifu]

The best movies I've ever watched had no sex scenes at all. The script was just too amazing.

[@itsbeyondme5560]

Same

[@afrosamourai400]

What were those movies?

[@Datwaifu]

@@afrosamourai400 Most Blockbusters from the 90's are: Men in Black, Independence Day, Jurassic Park (Dr. Ian Malcom's "theory of chaos" and "life finds a way" are amazing monologues) Some of the 2000's: The Last Samurai, The Devil's wears Prada, Lord of the Ring trilogy.

[@Kareragirl]

... There is no such thing as being "too amazing" for sex.

[@itsbeyondme5560]

@@Datwaifu Heck ,.the greatest movies of all time don't have any sex scenes

[@Kenta455]

Haven’t watched yet, but my guess is that it’s because of the greater awareness of the problem with the objectification of women in film, and Hollywood doesn’t know how to do sex in movies WITHOUT being accused of objectification, so they just aren’t doing it as much anymore

[@seto_kaiba_]

That's because woke prudes will accuse them of "oBjECtifIcAtION" no matter what.

[@gracedilawri9741]

Not exactly. Women in film are objectified even when sex isn’t mentioned and I doubt that Hollywood is legitimately concerned about that. The more likely scenario is that it’s more profitable to sell a sanitized and “family friendly” movie because that will appeal to the widest possible audience. More of a money issue than anything

[@HyperWolf]

@@gracedilawri9741 there are a lot of actors and actresses coming out and saying they really dislike shooting those scenes though and how they wouldn’t do them if they had a choice. Which brings up the issue of consent. Are you really consenting if you don’t want to do it but you can’t get a job otherwise? Emilia Clarke cried after GOT. Henry Cavill says it’s awful and he has convinced directors not to have those scenes or he wouldn’t be in the movie. So I think it’s a huge amount of factors at play. And I think you’re right that money is an issue and it isn’t even completely them just being money hungry since less people will actually go to rated R films these days. I know in theaters I only see movies I can watch with family. And I would hate to have a scene like that pop up during those times (although to be honest I’d hate the scene equally watching on my own, to me it’s like watching someone else poop. I know (almost) everyone does it but I don’t want to see it.) Edit: didn’t feel like I wrote that much but it’s longish. TL;DR I agree with both but think it’s also that actors don’t like shooting those scenes and many an audience doesn’t want to see them, either due to discomfort or through solidarity for the actors that have spoken up about it.

[@elsparthio]

I mean, you should probably watch the video

[@Kenta455]

@@elsparthio I did. That was just my guess at first

[@darkdefender5759]

I always found it weird that, unlike European Films, sex, which is part of everyone's lives, is always considered prude and taboo, especially female pleasure depicted on film, so long as it's not gratuitous.. but, hey, violence is 👍

[@laylamorrison9596]

That's America for you. You can have as much violence as you want, but as soon as they show a woman's breast that's "too much." And this is coming from someone who's an aromantic asexual.

[@millenadecampos7192]

I find it unnecessary honestly but I mostly watch Korean series and movies because I don’t like explicit stuff, it’s a matter of taste

[@alliencat5700]

Its not apart of everyones life. Im asexual. I dont think its something that people need to shy away from but I dont think everything needs it.

[@dontlookatmep2895]

You know what else is part of everyone's lives, going to the bathroom. Something being normal does require to be depicted on fill most times

[@maanlicht8583]

As a Dutch person, to me the way its depicted is different. What I see in American-style movies nudity is mostly only connected to sexual scenes which is not always the case in so called European movies. Nudity is normalized even in kids movies sometimes because it is normal, it's just the human body (only adults tho,no completely nude kids). Dutch are great at film making, still sadly in some movies (mostly kids movies) are alot of influences from popculture a.k.a. America.

[@motherofcats7671]

It's not always needed, but in some situations is part of the story or like in kdramas it's implied that it happened and it's enough.

[@samanthaangelovich8507]

I feel like viewers have pushed Hollywood into being a little more responsible with sex: with consent, intimacy, more realistic expectations etc. And honestly there's generally not time for all that in big Hollywood blockbusters

[@babu357]

Yes, I'm really surprised on this "Take". I felt it was a good thing that Hollywood was stepping n away from gratuities sex scenes that weren't geared toward the plot.

[@Horadrius]

Yeah, the phrase “intimacy coordinator” is now very familiar to people outside the industry.

[@ErikDayne]

Maybe the abundance of adult entertainment has saturated the market to the point that people no longer care about seeing sexuality in their movies because they could see the real thing whenever they want.

[@ashleigh6192]

That’s a very interesting point. It makes a lot of sense

[@fromthehaven94]

I know of a certain website focused on a male body part with a "models and celebrities" page on its message board. Name any existing male actor or athlete, there's at least one post asking about his size. And sometimes if they have a naked selfie.

[@nhvkuy4675]

oh yeah, so "ReAL" lol

[@ashleigh6192]

@@nhvkuy4675 well of course not ‘real’ in the sense of being authentic but in the sense that it is the whole thing, uncensored front and center unlike in film

[@yothiga]

I’m just happy Topgun Maverick doesn’t have explicit sex scene because I take my father to the theatre 😂

[@Aaron-kj8dv]

This is the only normal response lol Everyone else is pearl clutching because sex makes them uncomfortable but can't ask why so they want it banned like old church ladies.

[@SP4D3-s69]

And the scene of Mav and Penny is in line with two middle-aged people. It would’ve been strange to try and replicate what Mav did with Charlie when the two were in their 20s

[@desireepetitdemurat8660]

I hated and still hate when the intimate scene stopped the narrative of the story, I was like, “Yes, we know they are having sex, move on with the story already…!”

[@gcavenaugh]

“Art imitates life” in some ways here. This video essay assumes that our embodied experiences with sex have not changed, and that the only thing that has changed is the profit calculation of companies like Disney. I would argue that our society is simply less interested in titillation for titillation’s sake (see: Babylon, for example). The rise, fall, and transformation of phone-app relationships reflects a similar path. As a culture, we’ve been through the “free love” phase of Tinder/Grinder and, while that culture still exists, it’s no longer mainstream because for many people, it’s just not worth it. We’ve likewise long ago passed through and beyond the “free love” phase of audiovisual media in the same way. Yes, sex and desire are real parts of human lives. Sex continues at times to be part of the stories we tell. But most of us are notably less interested in consuming sexual desire in a public space beside a group of strangers. That’s not prudery; it’s social change based on lived experience.

[@jakec9522]

I think it has less to do with Hollywood becoming more prudish and more to do with audiences not caring as much about sex scenes in movies. I think a big shift was that, in the past, sex scenes in movies were the sexiest content most people could hope to get without going into some seedy sex shop. But now, there's a nearly unlimited amount of free pornographic content available on the internet. And there's nothing tactful or subtle about it. You can see everything. Sex scenes in movies and TV shows are all so poorly done that they just don't work for audiences anymore. If they want the real thing, there's plenty of free content to go to. Not saying that the MeToo movement didn't change things or that changing cultural attitudes aren't an issue. But I think it's inaccurate to say that sex doesn't sell as much anymore. It definitely does. The size, breadth, and prevalence of the adult industry is proof of that.

[@morganitezzzpippapip2125]

The most effective romantic movie for me was pride and prejudice. A movie that proves we don't need to strip the actors naked to create a fiery chemistry

[@alixiaghedeir1101]

No kiss as well

[@graceizspecial]

I don’t think that Hollywood shy away from sexuality and sex at all, movies and TV shows have typically been saturated with them. Like others have mentioned, often it doesn’t add anything to the plot line and you can allude to intimacy in a far more subtle and alluring way. Sex is constantly being promoted in the media - advertisement, songs, Tik Tok, etc - not to mention the prevalence of pornography. It’s a welcome and fresh change to not have it forced upon you in movies where the primary desire for most people is to experience complex storylines, powerful messages, and character development. If someone wants to see explicit content, there are plenty of other outlets to choose from!

[@bellabrieeee]

True!

[@willig7649]

Agreed

[@HexleysCauldron]

I think it's also says something that often times when sex is shown, it's shown in a way that resembles violence. Not really talking about sexual violence but the sexual intimacy is replaced with this type of aggression that's meant to cover up the actual intimacy of a sexual relationship. It shows sex as something that's done to people and not an act people partake in together. Even in the Iron Man clip shown, they're very aggressive with the way handle each other and it's not it a way that showcases actual attraction for each other, if you get what I'm trying to say. Game of Thrones rarely had sex scenes where both parties are actively enjoying it but you see the aftermath of those acts where they're in bliss in comparison to being forced to watch characters be sexually abused before it cuts away. Only speaking for here in the U.S, but sex is fine when it can be associated with violence of some sort which is why so many shows and movies show it so aggressively.

[@samf.s.7731]

Welp, if it led to fans expressing those desires through fanart and fanfiction, tbh I don't see how that's bad. If you want to consume it, it's there! So does it really have to be in the movies themselves? Because it wouldn't serve the plot in any way....

[@Dm34421]

Sex scenes do little to move the plot. HBO has been criticized for their excessive sex scenes in GOT and white lotus. I think Hollywood is finally realizing that sex scenes aren’t always necessary.

[@tyleronearth]

There’s so much more to movie than plot though. I’m not saying every movie should have a sex scene but often times movies are about what it means to be human and sex is part of that. I think this aversion to sex reflects an increasingly prude generation afraid to engage with a topic we all know exists EDIT Not just talking about gen z. Millennials too. I see this as a 33-year-old millennial. I left a very right wing upbringing where sex was incredibly taboo, went to college late and found that among all the people who were not religious sex was just as taboo if not more. It was just taboo in a different way

[@LLandS18]

​@@tyleronearth what do you mean the prude generation. This generation is more open sexually than any previous generation before it. And they're more open to different types of sexuality definitely than any generation before it. Maybe if you're going to go see a movie that's made to appeal to all ages don't be all surprised Pikachu face when there isn't sex in it. I have no idea why you would be surprised that superhero movies made by Disney doesn't have sex in it.

[@millenadecampos7192]

@@tyleronearth it’s not about being prude but sex is literally so normal to people that it doesn’t do anything for the movie or series really, its not necessary and it’s boring

[@ajaarmstrong4423]

@@millenadecampos7192 in terms of GOT, the depiction of sex works well to illustrate more about the nature of some characters. And shows the way it’s sometimes treated as a commodity for some and duty for others

[@NA86737]

Republican

[@EveryFairyDies]

I think you're confusing sex with intimacy, romance, eroticism and general public displays of affection. Sex always brings movies to a screaming halt as we watch body doubles perfectly lit with beautiful makeup, pristine hair, and smooth bodies. They cause just as many false ideas about sex as porn does, without ever showing "fat" rolls, cankles, post-coitus clean up, or the uncomfortable side of sex.

[@Anavaeevaee]

It’s so crazy cuz “X” has so many sex scenes but once you watch it, you realize that’s not what the movie is all about, it’s something we the audience can really relate to. That movie has so many sex scenes yet the plot, message, characters, etc are just flawless 👏🏻 like this movie just did it so well and was my personal favorite horror/ movie of 2022 ❤

[@madnessarcade7447]

Surprised they didn’t mention it

[@SilentLulamoon]

the movie is literally about sex and the way it dictates our notion of aging and relationships

[@Bizarro69]

X sucks

[@Oshrieki]

It would have been interesting to see this video expand on how this shift intersects with rising purity culture, and also how it's in conversation with sexualization/objectification, body politics (aka sex scenes with only skinny ppl), and keeping actors safe on set. The presence of sex on screen isn't a bad thing at all, and should be embraced, but there's a lot of other conversations about how the ways we've been using sex in film don't serve everyone so much anymore.

[@robchuk4136]

I find it disingenuous not to acknowledge things like MeToo's influence on the decline. Looking at movies pre-2017, and movies post, there's almost a direct correlation. Not that it hasn't been brewing for a while. This has been a battleground for women for a long time. Essayists (not unlike The Take) criticize the need for sex scenes, while more actresses themselves don't want to do them. Game of Thrones was blasted for what was dubbed "sexposition" and these were slowly phased out of the series as it went on. 50 Shades of Grey itself is considered shameless and regressive in its attitudes towards the subject, popular though it may be. Heck, thanks to complaints about the dreaded "male gaze", the very idea of even showing too much skin is scrutinized, and we can see more female characters now wear pants rather than skirts these days- even in period fantasies. It's just funny to rail against it for so long, and then when it leaves, start asking, huh? what happened?

[@NA86737]

The rise in really a progressive puritanism in the name of metoo and LGBTQ plays into it as much as conservative view on sex influenced by American Christianity

[@samf.s.7731]

If this is the result of Me too, then good on them! I do not need to see something another type of media is entirely dedicated to unless it's crucial to the plot.

[@NA86737]

@@samf.s.7731 you sound no different than an evangelical Christian conservative in your support of it

[@alejandrocervantes3624]

I remember when Lady Gaga's "a star is born" was coming out and all these articles said a sex scene was removed directly, because of metoo, make of that what you will

[@dollstrap]

are u ok ? are u upset ? you seem really upset 😞so sad you can’t see young female actors have sex on screen anymore :( im so sorry. i feel so bad for you. it must be SO terrible for you. so so terrible. this is so…horrible. damn feminists !! damn metoo !! this is like the worst thing to ever happen 💔 💔💔💔

[@trinaq]

I hope that Hollywood makes more stories about Asexual or Aromantic characters, since they receive limited representation, and Aro and Ace individuals may be able to relate to these stories on screen.

[@Kareragirl]

Many Hollywood movie characters are essentially asexual or aromantic already. It doesn't need to be spelled out and, frankly, the absence of desire is not an interesting topic. As an atheist, I get why you would make a movie about religion and not about the absence of spirituality. There's nothing there instead of something. It may be a side note to a character, but how would that fuel a story?

[@itsmeiish]

Totally tysm for this comment

[@itsmeiish]

@@Kareragirl asexuality IS a a type of sexuality and therefore representation is key, including spelling it out loud so that people can actually know the existance of it and not just some vague character that is up to you to figure out. Also, you cant compare wanting to see asexuality on screen to being atheist pls. We deserve as much representation as the other sexualities, and no, it wouldnt be boring (you are implying that for a movie to be engaging there needs to be sex, please do a little bit of research on amatonormativity)

[@emilymatthews2990]

Me too. I have a current character who is a transwoman and she’s on the aromantic spectrum as a Cupioromantic, someone who experiences desire for a relationship but she doesn’t experience romantic attraction

[@EverettBurger]

Always got a chuckle watching R rated movies on AFN. You could watch people dying horrifically, but would edit out scene showing intimacy. They would show war, but not love.

[@slayerduval1]

Do you know how ridiculous it would be if a show like Succession had an old-school, naked sex scene? It would be beyond absurd and out of place. Most of the better shows don't need it. And hints at what we 'don't see' is always more compelling than a boob shot and a few hip thrusts.

[@rejectionisprotection4448]

That's very true. When you think of those dramas which are highly rated, very few have sex scenes or if they do, they tell you something fundamental about a character or situation. It doesn't mean that they're not violent though (BB and the Sopranos).

[@maryp9923]

I honestly don’t mind I’ve always felt like sex in movies especially the ones with only female nudity was just the producers getting horny and wanting to act on their own urges. My boyfriend loves horror movies and we try watching them together but then in the middle of the most scary movie they’ll be a sex scene or unnecessary tiddies that come out of nowhere. It ruins it for me because it’s so unnecessary. You absolutely don’t need sex or nudity to make an awesome or intimate movie tbh

[@tommysmith7031]

Superhero movies are very much dependent on an international market with various attitudes towards sex. With no sex scenes, there are less reasons for some people to object to the movie, hence more profits.

[@biancacaaete4258]

I think its a great improvement in hollywood scenerio. I grew up with the 90's/00s movies and i always remember action, comedy and even drama movies appearing boobies, backsides, hipersexualization of girls and sex scenes that was meaningless and out of nowhere. I dont see a problem when a movie its made for that, american pie for example though

[@100percentshipper]

I've heard it's due to censorship from certain global markets that don't want to show the film if there is intimacy. As some of these markets are substantial, these movies are being made with them in mind.

[@stephennootens916]

That sounds most likely if you ask me.

[@bryantgrove6199]

I like this video. Especially how it links the industry’s past relationship with intimacy with its present relationship and why it came about.

[@idkreally9164]

⁸

[@alimadjire360]

This is an unusually bad take that doesn't address any of the issues with those scenes, and why many viewers would rather do without them. Just look up the Romeo and Juliet actors' lawsuit (minors who were coerced into doing those scenes). Or even JLo's experience.

[@theSupercasa]

I never understood why filmmakers think it’s a good idea for show a 3-minute sex scene to a room full of moviegoes in a dark room....like..?? Or when watching it with your parents.... in my opinion, this should have always been this way: no sex for the big screen, but it could be shown on HBO or streaming in the comfort of your home.

[@comkver]

And yet we movies like Horrible Bosses, Requiem. I think Hollywood doesn't know how to do subtle lovemaking. Like, it's always over the top or too much. The old Hollywood version similar to the one in Eternals where they kiss and the camera pans away is a lost art.

[@duchessoftheprairie]

omg yes!!! that's why i love extase 1933, mulholland drive and titanic sex scenes. most sex scenes are just so close to porn that it turn me off.

[@NA86737]

Mentioning movies pre-2016 doesn't count. They placated to progressive conservative puritanism.

[@duchessoftheprairie]

@@NA86737 what??

[@exileayahika]

I think it is the pendulum effect, a lot of movies that came out earlier had prolonged sex scenes. While I would never say I'm a prude, there is something I think is... odd to watch with other people. Also, intimacy coordinators are mandatory now and Penn said he was never comfortable with it. Also, you don't need a sex scene to tell a good story or convey love... there's many kid's movies that do just that

[@CourtneyCoulson]

There's a great essay on this topic called Everyone is Beautiful and No One is Horny. Modern American culture does seem afraid of sex, and yet fandom shows that there's a strong interest in seeing their favourite characters get intimate in very explicit ways.

[@jordanloux3883]

Movies cost so much money to make that they have to be the broadest thing in the world and not risk alienating anyone. Plus, you know, we like to think that America has abandoned it's puritan roots, but we're still threatening boycotts whenever two men kiss, so we really haven't come that far... *edited to fix misspelling

[@krobiekong4326]

I dislike that even in the streaming chapter, they just ignored She-Hulk which was directly trying to address this in the MCU. Also, all the original Netflix Marvel shows had sexual intimacy as major plot points: like it is said, you go to the privacy of streaming for that aspect of the story.

[@gabrielleduplessis7388]

I feel it hasn’t stopped. I think the weird thing is young adult shows where they constantly glorify minors having sex even when adults play them. 99.9% of the time, it is the women being shown from top to the bottom. It gets annoying because it seems like the sex scene is just used to show the women’s bodies. But as time went on, at least they tried showing the woman’s pleasure as well creating some equality, in a way. I just hate that it takes over instead of the time being used for a story. If sex doesn’t have anything to do with the story, don’t use it. If it does, just handle it with care and not a way to glamorize it. Pleasurable is fine, but making it a way to objectify one or two parties involved isn’t. This was a long one. If you made it to the end, thank you.

[@mffmoniz2948]

It's more annoying cause it's just the women's body in slow motion. If the guys shows his abs, it's for like 2 seconds or it's not filmed in a sexy way.

[@b.h.7430]

Honestly, sex scenes can ruin a movie or show. Makes it so you can't watch with family

[@Nina-zm4ej]

As an asexual, I approve of less sex scenes. Intimacy does not have to equate sex.

[@willig7649]

I agree

[@arivalancius5593]

I've personally always found sex scenes to be disgusting and distracting, it's nothing more than a cheap trick. I usually skip them...

[@Serocco]

Intimacy doesn't have to not equate to sex either

[@Nina-zm4ej]

@@Serocco of course, but that’s a given so I didn’t point it out. Even when casual, sex can be incredibly intimate, and when it involves emotional vulnerability? I can’t think of anything more intimate than that. However, saying that removing sex scenes equates to removing intimacy from movies means we need better directors and/or a better understanding of what intimacy is.

[@heyy1829]

there seems to be more asexuals these days, along with less sex in movies... wonder if that has some root in an averse reaction to the constant oversexualisazion in our culture

[@Tyler_W]

I'm not against the depiction of sexuality, but very rarely does it ever need to be explicit, and there are ways you can do it in a tasteful manner without being needlessly, overly crass or sacrificing the intended "feeling" of the moment. The principle of "less is more" is absolutely true in storytelling, especially when it comes to primal things like sexuality and fear/horror. There is nothing compelling about leaving nothing to the imagination on the level of explicit text (as opposed to subtext). I think too much in the past overruled on the portrayal of sexuality as a crutch, and what we are seeing now is a response to that. Does it inform the characters or further the plot and their respective character arcs? If it serves an actual purpose, I think it can be justifiable, but even then, execution matters. Even with something like violence which can often be incredibly explicit in various films, it often isn't actually a realistic depiction of violence. There's a degree if cartoonishness and detatchment from reality because few people actually want to see the brutal, uncomfortable, grueling reality of physical violence. There is and arguably always should be either a layer of fantasy or removal from the explicit reality. There ought to be a happy medium between depiction of the more raw and intimate sides of human nature and being so explicit that it becomes crass and indecent. I don't necessarily think there needs to be extensive laws about such things (exceptions apply, of course), but I think our culture in general needs to rediscover a sense of healthy moderation about a lot of things. Also, shipping is cringe, stahp it.

[@itsmeiish]

As an asexual i dont see it this way AT ALL. Sex is everywhere and it makes me feel so alienated from everyone so i kinda wish this was true...

[@millenadecampos7192]

Im not asexual but I totally agree with you! I feel the same!

[@anoni6108]

Exactly the same, when movies do the whole "I love you" => sex thing I dislike it sm, it's as if that's the only way to show love, which I know it isn't

[@ideoscopies]

I'm asexual and was looking for that kind of comment 😁 Sex scenes have always seem mostly useless to me, and I thought for long that it was just to turn ppl on because they wanted sex everywhere. Later I learned that sex can make sense in other people's life and entertainment 🙈 - I still don't really get that point. Anyway, as I was going through that video (thanks to The Take, once again!), I understood why I like watching films and series more than ever before : they don't have those uncomfortable scenes anymore! No more long minutes with no interest nor understanding from me, no more pretending that I'm not seeing this with whoever is around because it makes me cringe, no more memories of wrong moments with a lover's desire and the lack of mine. I've just realized the relief 😌😳🙄

[@itsmeiish]

@@ideoscopies i totally get you hahaha💜

[@samf.s.7731]

Oh trust me, that's how almost everyone feels. We have a medium dedicated in its entirety to sex, it's no longer the nineties where the music video of Wicked Games is the closest thing we've seen to a a softcore adult film... They need to wrap their head around that and present something worth our money that is artistic! Give me a musical number as opposed to a sex scene, or give me a very well staged and choreographed fight scene, how about an innovative artistically lit montage? Something.... Put the benefits of a visually artistic medium to use, as opposed to making a sex scene which "costs nothing" and is clearly just abusive of the actors bodies.

[@MrQuantumInc]

Of course the fact that it is Disney who is slowly monopolizing everything might have something to do with it.

[@schnicschnok4853]

I dont want sloppy, toxic or weird sex scenes. I want proper mutal love in different settings like ghibli did once upon a time

[@jamiewilson1532]

Some of my favorite movies are marred with unnecessary or too long sex scenes. I think it's better to just hint at stuff and have the camera move away instead of hovering over people's bodies. Sometime's it's best to let the audience use their imagination.

[@PrettyPrincess9609]

I really don’t like when they add unnecessary sex scenes. Sometimes it takes away from the movie. I feel like it’s a good thing that there are less sex scenes in movies now.

[@NA86737]

Guessing you call yourself progressive but you actually are quite conservative about sex

[@politereminder6284]

Agreed

[@bellabrieeee]

True

[@Pomoscorzo]

Sex scenes are (or were) often unrealistic on the screen. Ironically, I learned much more from reading fanfiction. So, no loss there.

[@GiantDwarf-vr5zc]

Tbh I'm glad that there isn't so much sex anymore! I'm asexual and 1/2 the time the sex scene does NOTHING to help the plot it's just there to make me uncomfortable!

[@BadgerCheese94]

Yes, I am sure the director had YOU specifically in mind

[@sophiewalsh5492]

Tbh tho, I feel like less sex in cinema is more appropriate now. Ppl are having less sex generally, and that’s being reflected even in fantasy which I think is okay and possibly good. Also I hate watching a movie with family members and then a sex scene comes on. Most uncomfortable situation on earth. We could rlly do without that😭

[@E12-f2m4h]

also, the rise of porn has made sex in the film not as shocking and provocating as it was in the past

[@BadgerCheese94]

Rise of porn? Hunny idk when you were born but the "rise" of porn happened a long time ago. Like... when my parents were kids!

[@BrooksJo]

As a child i've seen so much unattended sex scene in cinema or on tv at the watching hours (parents near by of course) that now i'm still a bit nervous that they could pop up everytime when not needed, and I really feel the change as time passes

[@witchplease9695]

It’s all sex and no sexy, as someone once said.

[@bjhale]

But even sex on TV is becoming more controversial. Beyond the MeToo element others have mentioned here, another factor is access to and acceptance of porn. "What's the point of that sex scene; if I wanted to watch people having sex I would just watch porn," is something I have seen people say online on more than one occasion.

[@samfilmkid]

I remember the bedroom scene in "Top Gun Maverick," the whole time Cruise looks like he's gonna bolt from the bed with Jennifer Connelly at any moment. You could tell at the end of every take he was running from that bed like he was in a Mission Impossible movie!

[@Nothankyou811]

Why are all your takes coming down to "oh no the new generation has destroyed an industry" lately? The obvious answer to this is bc women aren't being used purely as romantic interests and sex objects in the movies. Just looking at the marvel characters mentioned: Peggy and Natasha have distinct characterization and motives all their own, even when they're in stories centered around male characters. Maybe if you're looking for romance, don't make your first stop an action movie franchise, where women are finally being treated as characters not accessories - even IF blockbusters (so named bc they've always dominated the box office) are surviving in theaters as the industry is changing

[@bellabrieeee]

True, I agree that their takes are increasingly targeting and blaming the newer generations for literally every issue. Their points are also self contradictory; I remember one of the earlier videos saying how everything is sexualized and women are objectified, and now they say there's not enough sex on screen. They need more relevant commentators tbh

[@johnstebbins24]

I'm surprised and disappointed you didn't cover China and their version of the Hays Code potentially keeping movies out of that global market or at least seeing it edited,

[@isaacgray2909]

A lot of people brought up European films on how they tackle sex and it brought my mind to realize how American viewed sex in films. Their films especially ones during 60s-80s tend to dramatize sexuality as something significant and wild. Which kinda makes sense given it was a product of the hippie movement with the free love idea. Where as you compared to European films especially French and Italian, it was just seen as normal. Whenever sexuality is the point of the story, the sex scenes and nudity were used to contextualize the plot and characters.

[@jameslevan3792]

I think a large part is that Gen Z in particular associates sex on film strictly with pornography and thus believes you shouldn't depict it in shows and movies even if it could actually be part of the characters story

[@tyleronearth]

Yeah I agree. There’s a huge difference between eroticism and pornography but I think a lot of young people don’t have any concept of that difference. I don’t blame them for that. The Internet has kind of fucked us all over

[@jameslevan3792]

@@tyleronearth Nothing but facts brother.

[@slayerduval1]

Perhaps Gen-X also grew up with nudity and sex in movies just for nudity's sake and we don't really miss that in films. 80s films used to revolve around a scene of a bunch of naked girls in a shower, having nothing to do with the plot. It really got old and alienated half their audience.

[@jameslevan3792]

@@slayerduval1 Yeah those Gen Xers are in their fifties now tho. Gen Zers are the one complaining about shows like Euphoria despite the fact that half of them don't even follow those kinds of shows in the first place

[@purpleflows5680]

I wish the Take had at least considered exploring the role that easy access to explicit sex scenes (internet porn) has on this topic. I think a lot of viewers have fatigue in this arena because things got too gratuitous (80s and 90s) and then came the internet.

[@Bizarro69]

Because they did Way too much of it! Also, weren't most sex scenes put in there by predators to get some famous young thang naked ? Are we going to pretend that part of Hollywood wasn't a thing?

[@nancykerrigan]

Regarding Marvel multimedia, you forgot to mention the Netflix Marvel shows. There were some intimate scenes in Jessica Jones and Luke Cage that I remember. And for DC there was some similar scenes in The Suicide Squad. I dont know if The Watchmen is DC but I remember there was a sex scene there. Soderbergh's quote reminds me of Zach Snyder talking about he wants his heroes banging. I see why the mainstream movies are sexless. They want to appeal to as much people as possible, including kids and the conservative "Think of the children" types.

[@NA86737]

Yet in the comic Jessica asks Luke to sodomize her

[@samf.s.7731]

"think of the children" More like "Think of the actors" They can spare me whenever they talk about the audience being prudish, just watched a porno yesterday (proudly!) and I'm a Christian woman 😂 Hells yeah 👍 But I am not okay with how uncomfortable it was for the actors to be nude in front of "too many people" with no intimacy coordinator, told to act a sexual assault scene by just yelling "action!"

[@thomasnielsen5580]

but the series were not owned by Disney. That's why, otherwise they would never have been there. Thats for sure.

[@carbodude5414]

To sum up the modern audience "I don't want to be horny. I want to be happy!"

[@BadgerCheese94]

Horniness and happiness go hand in hand... and other things go in the hand as well

[@annafrancescachereches754]

Romantic scenes do not equal sex scenes. Romance still is important in films, but I reckon filmmakers noticed how there is no point addig a 2-5 minute long erotic scene that adds nothing to the story just so people can skip it. You can cut from a passionate kiss to the morning after and the audience will get the jist. I also think the amount of shows that focus on the sex life of teens is creepy, and few shows do it right (first 2 seasons of Sex Education were great and informative, but Riverdale and Elite for example just put that in for the fanservice and it's disturbing). The hypersexualization of couples in media can also plant the seed that the only way to a healthy relationship is a lot of sex, which is just wrong. In real life there's asexual couples, couples with different libidos or couples in situations where they just don't have as much sex, and there's nothing wrong with that. But the media seems to promote the message that if you don't want to peel off eachother's clothes every five seconds you aren't even happy. So I don't miss the sex scenes and I am glad more films choose to get rid of them. If done right, they can be a good plot device but sadly few mainstream films or show do them right.

[@jonathanbowers8964]

Another factor: International Markets. Any blockbuster film needs to sell well in China and ultimately be marketed to even more conservative nations. As such there is a clear limitation on how risque the sex scene can be. Also I think audiences just got bored of the overly gratuitous sex scene in the same way we all got bored of the 2000s era gore fest in the horror genre.

[@fuhgetabatit1051]

No sex and nudity in movies? I’M HERE FOR IT!! ✊🏻

[@timy9197]

I think years of people reflect on how sex scenes of the past are “problematic” making people afraid to do so now. That being said another movie that you didn’t bring up was Booksmart which was a pretty recent example.

[@achaoPSG]

Yay another mainstream superhero movie bashing! I think that the video is punshing down a bit, and it would have been better if you had shown other sides of the debate. I mean, having a very intimate sex scene popping up, just because, always felt gratuitous. And the reason being "it makes the character less hollow" is not a very strong argument.

[@MaisonLafitte]

Hollywood don't show so much sex scenes anymore because people watch more netflix, sky, Hulu and Amazon series where you have a lot of sex and nudity. I am sure film makers needs to add extra to the bill for sex scene of famous actors - it just does not count, as celebs now pose half-naked from their bedrooms and beach holidays on Instagram etc.

[@luisguilhermeoliveira5794]

In relation to big franshises, removing sex is just a way to protect themselves against accusations that we know would come up (most of the times, rightfully so). For instance, if Marvel showed heterosexual sex regularly, people would complain if they didn't do the same with gay couples (which they will never do). It's easier for them to just remove it entirely.

[@123cobrastrike]

Another issue is that it’s harder to market movies with sex scenes in countries with more conservative and traditional cultures

[@BadgerCheese94]

Like America?

[@123cobrastrike]

@@BadgerCheese94 America’s only conservative relative to other Western countries. Think countries like India.

[@BadgerCheese94]

@@123cobrastrike Thats their problem lol Indian censors should figure it out.

[@123cobrastrike]

@@BadgerCheese94 in India specifically, I don’t think it’s a censorship issue. Sex scenes are allowed. But naturally, if a film doesn’t jive with a country’s values or isn’t what the audience is used too, it won’t perform as well

[@BadgerCheese94]

@@123cobrastrike Who cares? This attempting to please everyone is ruining cinema

[@luna-ichigo6539]

As an asexual I have to say that I like not seeing sex scenes in every movie where there is a male lead and a female love interest. Usually it is filmed in a way that I find unsettling and objecifying. So I'd rather see 'only' a kiss then sex scenes

[@ideoscopies]

Could have been me writing that 🙃 I am proud to announce that the Secret Asexual Feminist Lobby won!! 🖤

[@luna-ichigo6539]

@@ideoscopies yes, our agenda won. Now we can stop fighting and enjoy cake

[@marcusvachon845]

For most of my life, people complained about too much sex in movies. Now the lack of sex is complained about. Why?

[@g.berwald5312]

Growing up watching a movie with parents these scenes where the most uncomfortable...guess film makers agree

[@alyk.9353]

I think the fatigue is not coming from the idea of sex scenes but the doing. In the earlier days you saw the actors make out and take their clothes off. Nowadays we have to see and hear in detail the sex itself. It’s quite tiring for me because I want to see a movie and not porn

[@lu-themadpillow2985]

The Take needs more genZ commentors. And I'm a millennial. I just want to know how they think, because we millennials have a different life experience.

[@casiedomingos5197]

Everything has a time and a place. It is possible to skip sex scenes if the chemistry is good. Intimacy and sex are not the same thing.

[@lovelylych7643]

I really like this video, thank you for making it. I must say though, (sexual) fanfiction has been around for a loooong time and is not something that just begun recently.

[@alexabryant1616]

tbh i'm not that mad about the trend itself. very few sex scenes were well done and often delivered through a male lens, alienating a lot of female viewers

[@amcaesar]

What about a minority of Christian bullies getting their way by convincing corporate filmmaking entities to bend to their will on sex, nudity, and ESPECIALLY queer sexuality?

[@Kareragirl]

This is not just about Christianity. Many big-budget films are tailored to China and censorship there discourages these types of scenes.

[@amcaesar]

@@Kareragirl This is true, although the chances of breaking into the Chinese market have plunged drastically in the last five years.