The erotic thriller is a film

subgenre Genre () is any style or form of communication in any mode (written, spoken, digital, artistic, etc.) with socially agreed-upon conventions developed over time. In popular usage, it normally describes a category of literature, music, or other for ...

defined as a film that "combines romanticized, '

erotic Eroticism () is a quality that causes sexual feelings, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality, and romantic love. That quality may be found in any form of artwork, including painting, sculp ...

' appeal with a dangerous '

thriller Thriller may refer to: * Thriller (genre), a broad genre of literature, film and television ** Thriller film, a film genre under the general thriller genre Comics * ''Thriller'' (DC Comics), a comic book series published 1983–84 by DC Comics i ...

' narrative—a "pleasure/danger" principle". The elements of bodily danger and pleasure are central to the plot. Most erotic thrillers contain scenes of

softcore Soft core or Softcore may refer to: * Softcore microprocessor, microprocessor implemented using logic synthesis and perhaps other circuits * Soft core (synthesis), a digital circuit that can be wholly implemented using logic synthesis * Soft roc ...

sex, though the frequency and explicitness of those scenes varies. British academic

Linda Ruth Williams Linda Ruth Williams (born 16 April 1961) is a professor of Film theory, film studies in the department of Communications (of which she is head), Drama, and Film at the University of Exeter, UK. Her special interests include sexuality and censo ...

described erotic thriller films as " noirish stories of sexual intrigue incorporating some form of criminality or duplicity, often as the flimsy framework for onscreen

sex". The word "erotic" began to adhere to "thriller" during the 1980s to describe a sudden boom in noir-like thriller films with sexually provocative content. The late 1980s to the mid-1990s are regarded as the "classic period" of the erotic thriller, and the most recognizable films of the genre, such as ''

Basic Instinct ''Basic Instinct'' is a 1992 erotic thriller film directed by Paul Verhoeven and written by Joe Eszterhas. Starring Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn, and Wayne Knight, the film follows the detective Nick ...

'', ''

Fatal Attraction ''Fatal Attraction'' is a 1987 American psychological thriller film directed by Adrian Lyne and written by James Dearden, based on his 1980 short film '' Diversion''. It follows Dan Gallagher ( Michael Douglas), an attorney who cheats on his ...

'', and ''

The Last Seduction ''The Last Seduction'' is a 1994 American neo-noir erotic thriller film directed by John Dahl and starring Linda Fiorentino, Peter Berg, and Bill Pullman. It was produced by ITC Entertainment and distributed by October Films. Fiorentino's p ...

'' were released in this era.

Precursors to the erotic thriller

In his book ''Hollywood's Dark Cinema: The American Film Noir'', Robert Barton Palmer claimed "perhaps the most popular genre in the 1990s, the so-called erotic thriller ..is a direct descendant of the classic

film noir Film noir (; ) is a style of Cinema of the United States, Hollywood Crime film, crime dramas that emphasizes cynicism (contemporary), cynical attitudes and motivations. The 1940s and 1950s are generally regarded as the "classic period" of Ameri ...

". Many films of the 1960s and 70s also provocatively mixed noir themes with softcore sex, erotic fantasy, and voyeurism. The erotic thriller also contains influences from the genres of

mystery Mystery, The Mystery, Mysteries or The Mysteries may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Fictional characters *Mystery, a cat character in ''Emily the Strange'' *Mystery, a seahorse that SpongeBob SquarePants adopts in the episode " My Pre ...

and

horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction **Psychological horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Christmas horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Analog horror, a subgenre of horror fiction * ...

, as well as from

pornography Pornography (colloquially called porn or porno) is Sexual suggestiveness, sexually suggestive material, such as a picture, video, text, or audio, intended for sexual arousal. Made for consumption by adults, pornographic depictions have evolv ...

Notable figures

Certain filmmakers and actors are associated with the genre.

Brian De Palma Brian Russell De Palma (; born September 11, 1940) is an Americans, American film director and screenwriter. With a career spanning over 50 years, he is best known for work in the suspense, Crime film, crime, and psychological thriller genres. ...

helped usher in the classic period of the genre with films '' Dressed to Kill'' and ''

Body Double In filmmaking, a double is a person who substitutes for another actor such that the person's face is not shown. There are various terms associated with a double based on the specific body part or ability they serve as a double for, such as stunt ...

'', and directed ''

Femme Fatale A ( , ; ), sometimes called a maneater, Mata Hari, or vamp, is a stock character of a mysterious, beautiful, and Seduction, seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers, often leading them into compromising, deadly traps. She is an archetype ...

'' and ''

Passion Passion, the Passion or the Passions may refer to: Emotion * Passion (emotion), a very strong feeling about a person or thing * Passions (philosophy), emotional states as used in philosophical discussions * Stoic passions, various forms of emotio ...

'' later in his career. Dutch filmmaker

Paul Verhoeven Paul Verhoeven (; born 18 July 1938) is a Dutch filmmaker, who has worked variously in the Netherlands, the United States, and in France. He is known for directing genre films with strong satirical elements, often featuring graphic violence and ...

directed ''Basic Instinct'', ''

Showgirls ''Showgirls'' is a 1995 erotic drama film directed by Paul Verhoeven, written by Joe Eszterhas, starring Elizabeth Berkley, Kyle MacLachlan, Gina Gershon, Glenn Plummer, Robert Davi, Alan Rachins, and Gina Ravera. The film focuses on an ambi ...

'', and ''

Benedetta Benedetta is a feminine given name of Italian origin, the feminine equivalent of the masculine name Benedetto, a cognate of Benedict. Notable people with the given name include: * Benedetta Barzini (born 1943), Italian actress and model * Benedet ...

''.

Joe Eszterhas József Antal Eszterhás (; born November 23, 1944), credited as Joe Eszterhas, is a Hungarian-American writer. Born in Hungary, he grew up in Cleveland, Ohio, in the United States. After an early career as a journalist and editor, he entered t ...

became a sought-after screenwriter in the classic period, writing the screenplays for '' Jagged Edge'', ''Basic Instinct'', ''Showgirls'', and ''

Jade Jade is an umbrella term for two different types of decorative rocks used for jewelry or Ornament (art), ornaments. Jade is often referred to by either of two different silicate mineral names: nephrite (a silicate of calcium and magnesium in t ...

''.

Adrian Lyne Adrian Lyne (born 4 March 1941) is an English film director. Lyne is known for sexually charged narratives that explore conflicting passions, the power of seduction, moral ambiguity, betrayal, and the indelibility of infidelity. In the mid 197 ...

has directed several films of the genre, including ''

9½ Weeks ''9½ Weeks'' is a 1986 American erotic drama film, directed by Adrian Lyne, and starring Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke. Basinger stars as a New York art gallery employee who has a brief yet intense affair with a mysterious Wall Street bro ...

, Fatal Attraction'', ''

Indecent Proposal ''Indecent Proposal'' is a 1993 American erotic drama film directed by Adrian Lyne and written by Amy Holden Jones. It is based on the 1988 novel by Jack Engelhard, in which a couple's marriage is disrupted by a stranger's offer of a milli ...

'', '' Unfaithful'', and '' Deep Water''. Other filmmakers include

Atom Egoyan Atom Egoyan (; ; born July 19, 1960) is an Armenian Canadians, Armenian-Canadian filmmaker. One of the most preeminent directors of the Toronto New Wave, he emerged during the 1980s and made his career breakthrough with ''Exotica (film), Exotica ...

Paul Schrader Paul Joseph Schrader (; born July 22, 1946) is an American screenwriter, film director, and film critic. He first became known for writing the screenplay of Martin Scorsese's ''Taxi Driver'' (1976). He later continued his collaboration with Scor ...

Abel Ferrara Abel Ferrara (; born July 19, 1951) is an American filmmaker. He is best known for the provocative and often controversial content in his movies and his use and redefinition of neo-noir imagery. A long-time independent filmmaker, some of his best ...

William Friedkin William David Friedkin (; August 29, 1935 – August 7, 2023) was an American film, television and opera director, producer, and screenwriter who was closely identified with the "New Hollywood" movement of the 1970s. Beginning his career in doc ...

David Cronenberg David Paul Cronenberg (born March 15, 1943) is a Canadian film director, screenwriter, producer and actor. He is a principal originator of the body horror genre, with his films exploring visceral bodily transformation, infectious diseases, and ...

, and

Zalman King Zalman King (born Zalman King Lefkowitz; May 23, 1941 – February 3, 2012) was an American film director, writer, actor and producer. His films are known for incorporating sexuality, and are often categorized as erotica. Early life Zalman Kin ...

. The most recognizable actor associated with erotic thrillers is

Michael Douglas Michael Kirk Douglas (born September 25, 1944) is an American actor and film producer. He has received numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards, five Golden Globe Awards, a Primetime Emmy Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the ...

, who starred in four films—''Fatal Attraction'', ''Basic Instinct'', ''

Disclosure Disclosure may refer to: Arts and media Film and television *'' CBC News: Disclosure'', a television newsmagazine series in Canada * ''Disclosure'' (1994 film), an American erotic thriller film based on the 1994 novel by Michael Crichton * ''Dis ...

'', and ''

A Perfect Murder ''A Perfect Murder'' is a 1998 American crime thriller film directed by Andrew Davis and written by Patrick Smith Kelly. Loosely based on Frederick Knott’s 1952 stage play ''Dial M for Murder'', the film stars Michael Douglas and Gwynet ...

''.

Mickey Rourke Philip Andre "Mickey" Rourke Jr. ( ; born September 16, 1952) is an American actor and former professional Boxing, boxer who has appeared primarily as a leading actor, leading man in drama, action, and thriller films. In a Mickey Rourke filmogra ...

Richard Gere Richard Tiffany Gere ( ; born August 31, 1949) is an American actor. He began appearing in films in the 1970s, playing a supporting role in ''Looking for Mr. Goodbar (film), Looking for Mr. Goodbar'' (1977) and a starring role in ''Days of Hea ...

James Spader James Todd Spader (born February 7, 1960; ) is an American actor. He is known for often portraying eccentric and morally ambiguous characters. He began his career in critically acclaimed independent films before transitioning into television, f ...

, and

Tom Berenger Tom Berenger (born Thomas Michael Moore; May 31, 1949) is an American actor. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the Staff Sergeant Bob Barnes in ''Platoon'' (1986). He is also known for playing ...

have also starred in multiple films of the genre. Notable actresses include

Sharon Stone Sharon Vonne Stone (born March 10, 1958) is an American actress and film producer. Known for primarily playing femmes fatales and women of mystery on film and television, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1990s. She is the ...

Linda Fiorentino Clorinda "Linda" Fiorentino (born March 9, 1958) is an American actress. Fiorentino made her screen debut with a leading role in the 1985 coming-of-age drama film ''Vision Quest'', followed that same year with another lead role in the action fil ...

Glenn Close Glenda Veronica Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American actress. In a career spanning over five decades on Glenn Close on screen and stage, screen and stage, she has received List of awards and nominations received by Glenn Close, numerous ac ...

Kathleen Turner Mary Kathleen Turner (born June 19, 1954) is an American actress. Known for her distinctive deep husky voice, she is the recipient of two Golden Globes, as well as nominations for an Academy Award, a Grammy, and two Tony Awards. After debuting ...

Demi Moore Demi Gene Moore ( ; née Guynes; born November 11, 1962) is an American actress. After rising to prominence in the early 1980s, she became the world's highest-paid actress by 1995. List of awards and nominations received by Demi Moore, Her acc ...

, and

Greta Scacchi Greta Scacchi ( , ; born 18 February 1960) is an actress. Born in Italy to a British-Italian couple, she was raised in Britain and finally settled in Australia, becoming a naturalized citizen. Scacchi had her first leading role in the romanti ...

List of films: 1930–1940

1931

* ''

Safe in Hell ''Safe in Hell'' is a 1931 American pre-Code drama film directed by William A. Wellman and starring Dorothy Mackaill and Donald Cook, with featured performances by Morgan Wallace, Ralf Harolde, Nina Mae McKinney, Clarence Muse, and Noble John ...

List of films: 1940–1970

1944

* ''

Double Indemnity ''Double Indemnity'' is a 1944 American film noir directed by Billy Wilder and produced by Buddy DeSylva and Joseph Sistrom. Wilder and Raymond Chandler adapted the screenplay from James M. Cain's Double Indemnity (novel), novel of the same na ...

1958

* ''

Vertigo Vertigo is a condition in which a person has the sensation that they are moving, or that objects around them are moving, when they are not. Often it feels like a spinning or swaying movement. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, perspira ...

1962

* ''

Lolita ''Lolita'' is a 1955 novel written by Russian-American novelist Vladimir Nabokov. The protagonist and narrator is a French literature professor who moves to New England and writes under the pseudonym Humbert Humbert. He details his obsession ...

1966

* '' Trans-Europ-Express''

1969

* '' Blind Beast'' * ''

Venus in Furs ''Venus in Furs'' () is a novella by the Austrian author Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, and the best known of his works. The novel was to be part of an epic series that Sacher-Masoch envisioned called '' Legacy of Cain'' (). ''Venus in Furs'' was ...

'' (a.k.a. ''

Black Angel The Black Angel or Black Angel may refer to: __NOTOC__ Films * The Black Angel (1942 film), ''The Black Angel'' (1942 film), a Mexican film by Juan Bustillo Oro * Black Angel (1946 film), ''Black Angel'' (1946 film), an American film noir * Black A ...

'' and '' Paroxismus'')

List of films: 1970–1980

1971

* ''

She Killed in Ecstasy ''She Killed in Ecstasy'' ( ) is a 1971 West German-Spanish erotic thriller film directed by Jesús Franco. The film's plot borrows elements from previous Franco films The Diabolical Dr. Z, ''Miss Muerte'' and ''Venus in Furs (1969 Franco film), V ...

1972

* ''

Last Tango in Paris ''Last Tango in Paris'' (; ) is a 1972 Erotic film, erotic Drama (film and television), drama film directed by Bernardo Bertolucci. The film stars Marlon Brando, Maria Schneider (actor), Maria Schneider and Jean-Pierre Léaud, and portrays a rec ...

'' * ''

Punarjanmam ''Punarjanmam'' () is a 1972 Indian Malayalam-language erotic thriller film starring Prem Nazir and Jayabharathi. The film is directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and is based on a case study published by famous atheist and psychiatrist A. T. Kovoor ...

'' * '' The Stepmother''

1973

* ''

Maru Piravi ''Maru Piravi'' () is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language erotic thriller film directed by T. R. Ramanna. It stars R. Muthuraman and Manjula. It is the Tamil remake of the 1971 Malayalam film '' Punarjanmam''. The film was released on 9 February 1973. ...

1974

* '' The Teacher'' * ''

Wife to Be Sacrificed (1974) is a Japanese soft-core pornographic S&M film starring Naomi Tani and directed by Masaru Konuma. The film was produced by Nikkatsu studios as part of their Roman Porno series. Background In 1971, with theatrical audiences lost to tele ...

1975

* ''

Waves of Lust ''Waves of Lust'' (, also known as ''A Wave of Pleasure'') is a 1975 Italian erotic thriller drama film directed by Ruggero Deodato and starring John Steiner and Silvia Dionisio. Plot Irem and Barbara are a young Italian couple on vacation in Si ...

1976

* ''

The Hook The Hook, or the Hookman, is an urban legend about a killer with a pirate-like hook for a hand attacking a couple in a parked car. In many versions of the story, the killer is typically portrayed as a faceless, silhouetted old man wearing a r ...

'' (a.k.a. '' To Agistri'') * ''

Obsession Obsession may refer to: Psychology * Celebrity worship syndrome, obsessive addictive disorder to a celebrity's personal and professional life * Obsession (psychology), a persistent attachment to an object or idea * Fixation (psychology), persist ...

'' * ''

Vortex In fluid dynamics, a vortex (: vortices or vortexes) is a region in a fluid in which the flow revolves around an axis line, which may be straight or curved. Vortices form in stirred fluids, and may be observed in smoke rings, whirlpools in th ...

'' (a.k.a. '' Blondie'', '' Blondy'', and '' Germacide'')

1977

* ''

Looking for Mr. Goodbar Looking for Mr. Goodbar may refer to: * ''Looking for Mr. Goodbar'' (novel), a 1975 novel by Judith Rossner * ''Looking for Mr. Goodbar'' (film), a 1977 film adaptation, starring Diane Keaton {{disambiguation ...

1978

* '' Attacked!!'' (a.k.a. ''

Attack!! ''Attack!!'' is the fourteenth studio album by the Swedish guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen, released on 15 October 2002 through Steamhammer records. The album is the first to feature singer Doogie White on lead vocals, along with keyboardist Derek ...

'') * ''

The Eyes of Laura Mars ''Eyes of Laura Mars'' is a 1978 American neo-noir supernatural horror thriller film directed by Irvin Kershner and starring Faye Dunaway, Tommy Lee Jones, Brad Dourif, René Auberjonois, and Raul Julia. It follows a New York City fashion photogr ...

'' * ''

Nicole Nicole may refer to: People * Nicole (name) * Nicole (American singer) (born 1958), a contestant in season 3 of the American ''The X Factor'' * Nicole (Chilean singer) (born 1977) * Nicole (German singer) (born 1964), winner of the 1982 Euro ...

'' (a.k.a. '' Crazed'' and '' The Widow's Revenge'')

List of films: 1980–1990

1980

1981

1982

* '' Cat People'' (erotic-horror) * '' The Seduction''

1983

* '' American Nightmare'' * '' Female Cats'' * '' The Fourth Man'' * '' The Hunger'' (erotic-horror)

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

List of films: 1990–1996

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

List of films: 1997–2007

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

* ''

Aksar ''Aksar'' () is a 2006 Indian Hindi-language erotic thriller film directed by Anant Mahadevan and produced by Narendra and Shyam Bajaj under the banner of Siddhi Vinayak Creations. The film stars Dino Morea, Emraan Hashmi and Udita Goswami. It ...

'' * ''

Basic Instinct 2 ''Basic Instinct 2'' (also known as ''Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction'') is a 2006 erotic thriller film directed by Michael Caton-Jones, produced by Mario Kassar, Joel B. Michaels, and Andrew G. Vajna, and written by Leora Barish and Henr ...

'', neo-noir * ''

Ganda Hendathi ''Ganda Hendathi'' () is a 2006 Indian Kannada-language erotic thriller film, directed by Ravi Srivatsa and produced by Shailendra Babu. The film stars newcomers Vishal Hegde, Sanjjana and Thilak Shekar The film is a remake of Hindi hit film ' ...

'' * '' Red Road''

2007

* ''

Boarding Gate ''Boarding Gate'' is a 2007 French thriller film about the sophisticated power plays between a debt-ridden underworld entrepreneur, his provocative and ambitious ex-associate and a manipulative young couple who employ her. Written and directed by ...

'' *''

I Know Who Killed Me ''I Know Who Killed Me'' is a 2007 American psychological thriller film directed by Chris Sivertson, from a screenplay by Jeff Hammond. The film stars Lindsay Lohan, Julia Ormond, Neal McDonough, and Brian Geraghty. The film's story revolves ...

,'' psychological erotic-thriller * ''

Socket Socket may refer to: Mechanics * Socket wrench, a type of wrench that uses separate, removable sockets to fit different sizes of nuts and bolts * Socket head screw, a screw (or bolt) with a cylindrical head containing a socket into which the hexag ...

List of films: 2008–present

2008

* '' Death in Love'' *''

Deception Deception is the act of convincing of one or many recipients of untrue information. The person creating the deception knows it to be false while the receiver of the information does not. It is often done for personal gain or advantage. Tort of ...

'' * ''

The Kreutzer Sonata ''The Kreutzer Sonata'' (, ) is a novella by Leo Tolstoy, named after Beethoven's Kreutzer Sonata. The novella was published in 1889, and was promptly censored by the Russian authorities. The work is an argument for the ideal of sexual abstinence ...

'' * ''

Loft A loft is a building's upper storey or elevated area in a room directly under the roof (American usage), or just an attic: a storage space under the roof usually accessed by a ladder (primarily British usage). A loft apartment refers to large ...

'' * '' Poison Ivy: The Secret Society'' * '' Sex and Lies in Sin City''

2009

2010

* '' The Housemaid'' * ''

Secret Love Secret Love may refer to either a secret admirer or: Film, TV and theatre * ''Secret Love'' (1916 film), directed by Robert Z. Leonard * ''Secret Love'' (1994 film), directed by Edgardo "Boy" Vinarao * ''Secret Love'' (2010 film), directed by ...

'' * '' Vlees'' * ''

A Serbian Film ''A Serbian Film'' () is a 2010 Serbian exploitation horror film produced and directed by Srđan Spasojević in his feature directorial debut, with Aleksandar Radivojević co-writing. It tells the experience of a financially struggling porns ...

2011

* ''

Murder 2 ''Murder 2'' is a 2011 Indian Hindi-language thriller film and the second installment in the ''Murder'' film series. A quasi-sequel to the 2004 film, ''Murder'', it stars Emraan Hashmi, Jacqueline Fernandez and Prashant Narayanan, and featu ...

'' * ''

Ragini MMS ''Ragini MMS'' is a 2011 Indian found-footage horror film directed by Pawan Kripalani and produced by Jeetendra and Shobha Kapoor of Balaji Telefilms. It was released on 13 May 2011 (Friday the 13th). The film is inspired by the 2007 American ...

'' * '' Silver Tongues'' * '' X: Night of Vengeance'' * ''

The Skin I Live In ''The Skin I Live In'' () is a 2011 Spanish psychological thriller film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Marisa Paredes, Jan Cornet and Roberto Álamo. It is based on Thierry Jonquet's 1984 n ...

2012

* ''

Dangerous Liaisons ''Dangerous Liaisons'' is a 1988 American period romantic drama film directed by Stephen Frears from a screenplay by Christopher Hampton, based on his 1985 play ''Les Liaisons dangereuses'', itself adapted from the 1782 French novel of the s ...

'' * ''

Hate Story ''Hate Story'' is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language erotic thriller film directed by Vivek Agnihotri and produced by Vikram Bhatt. It stars Nikhil Dwivedi, Gulshan Devaiya and Paoli Dam and the film was released on 20 April 2012. The first install ...

'' * '' In the House'' * ''

Jism 2 ''Jism 2'' () is a 2012 Indian Hindi-language erotic thriller film directed by Pooja Bhatt, written by Mahesh Bhatt and produced by Dino Morea. It is the sequel to the 2003 film '' Jism'' and marks the Bollywood acting debut of former pornogr ...

'' * ''

The Taste of Money ''The Taste of Money'' () is a 2012 South Korean erotic thriller film about a conglomerate-owning family. It triggered controversy and hype with its portrayal of the lives of the privileged in Korean society, exploring themes of sex and money, ...

'' * '' Under My Nails''

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

* ''

Aksar 2 ''Aksar 2'' () is a 2017 Indian Hindi-language erotic thriller film directed by Anant Mahadevan. The film is sequel to the 2006 film '' Aksar''. The film stars Zareen Khan, Gautam Rode, Abhinav Shukla and Mohit Madaan in lead roles. The moti ...

'' * ''

L'Amant double ''L'Amant double'' (released in the United States as ''Double Lover'') is a 2017 erotic thriller drama film written and directed by François Ozon, based on the 1987 novel ''Lives of the Twins'' (also known as ''Kindred Passions'') by Joyce Caro ...

'' (a.k.a. '' Double Lover'') * ''

Unforgettable Unforgettable may refer to: Film * ''Unforgettable'' (1996 film), a thriller starring Ray Liotta * ''Unforgettable'' (2014 film), a Bollywood film * ''Unforgettable'' (2016 film), a South Korean film * ''Unforgettable'' (2017 film), an America ...

2018

*''

Acrimony Acrimony may refer to: * a feeling of hatred * Acrimony (band), a rock band * ''Acrimony'' (film), a 2018 film See also * Agrimony ''Agrimonia'' (from the Greek ), commonly known as agrimony, is a genus of 12–15 species of perennial pla ...

'' * ''

Hate Story 4 ''Hate Story 4'' (styled as ''Hate Story IV'') is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language erotic thriller film directed by Vishal Pandya and written by Sammeer Arora. The film features Urvashi Rautela, Karan Wahi and Vivan Bhatena in the lead roles. Th ...

'' *''

In Darkness In Darkness may refer to: * ''In Darkness'' (2009 film), a 2009 Turkish film * ''In Darkness'' (2011 film), a 2011 Polish film * ''In Darkness'' (2018 film), a 2018 American film * ''In Darkness'' (Agathodaimon album), 2013 * In Darkness (Varia ...

'' * ''

Knife+Heart ''Knife+Heart'' () is a 2018 horror thriller film directed by Yann Gonzalez, who co-wrote the screenplay with Cristiano Mangione. It was produced by Charles Gillibert and stars Vanessa Paradis, Nicolas Maury, Kate Moran, Jonathan Genet and R ...

2019

*''

Queen of Hearts The queen of hearts is a playing card in the standard 52-card deck. Queen of Hearts or The Queen of Hearts may refer to: Books * "The Queen of Hearts" (poem), anonymous nursery rhyme published 1782 * ''The Queen of Hearts'', an 1859 novel by ...

'' (erotic drama)

2020

* '' 365 Days'' * '' Fatale'' * ''

Lost Girls & Love Hotels ''Lost Girls & Love Hotels'' is a 2020 American erotic drama film directed by William Olsson from a screenplay by Catherine Hanrahan which adapts her 2006 novel. The film stars Alexandra Daddario as an American English teacher in Tokyo, who lose ...

'' * ''

What Lies Below What Lies Below may refer to: * "What Lies Below" (''Fringe''), an episode of the American television series ''Fringe'' * ''What Lies Below'' (film), a 2020 American horror film {{dab ...

2021

* ''

,'' * ''

The Beta Test ''The Beta Test'' is a 2021 dark comedy thriller film written and directed by Jim Cummings and PJ McCabe. It follows a talent agent whose life is turned upside-down after taking part in a secret sex pact; Cummings and McCabe star alongside Virgin ...

,'' * '' Deadly Illusions'' *'' The Voyeurs''

2022

* '' Deep Water'' * '' 365 Days: This Day'' * '' X''

2023

* '' Saltburn'' * '' Rotting in the Sun'' * ''

Suitable Flesh ''Suitable Flesh'' is a 2023 American horror film written by Dennis Paoli and directed by Joe Lynch. Based on the 1937 H. P. Lovecraft short story "The Thing on the Doorstep", it stars Heather Graham, Judah Lewis, Bruce Davison, Johnathon Sch ...

2024

* ''

Miller's Girl ''Miller's Girl'' is a 2024 American erotic thriller film written and directed by Jade Halley Bartlett. The film stars Jenna Ortega and Martin Freeman as a student and teacher who enter into a complicated relationship after a creative writing ass ...

'' * '' Love Lies Bleeding'' * '' Babygirl''

2025

* '' Night Stage''

Miscellaneous crossover films

* ''

Macabre In works of art, the adjective macabre ( or ; ) means "having the quality of having a grim or ghastly atmosphere". The macabre works to emphasize the details and symbols of death. The term also refers to works particularly gruesome in natu ...

'', 1980, erotic-horror * '' The Fan'', 1981, erotic-horror * ''

Lovely But Deadly ''Lovely But Deadly'' is a 1981 action film about a cheerleader who goes undercover to fight drug dealers. The film stars Lucinda Dooling, John Randolph, Mel Novak and Richard Herd. Directed by David Sheldon with a story by Lawrence D. Foldes, ...

'', 1981, erotic-action * '' Ms. 45'', 1981, erotic exploitation * '' The Postman Always Rings Twice'', 1981, erotic-drama * ''

Naked Killer ''Naked Killer'' () is a 1992 Hong Kong erotic thriller film written and produced by Wong Jing, and directed by Clarence Fok Yiu-leung. The film stars Chingmy Yau, Simon Yam and Carrie Ng. The film is regarded as a cult classic. Plot Kitty is ...

'', 1992, Hong Kong erotic-action * '' Shadows Run Black'', 1984, erotic-crime thriller * '' Sole Survivor'', 1984, erotic-horror * '' Sea of Love'', 1989, neo-noir * ''

Kill Me Again ''Kill Me Again'' is a 1989 American neo-noir crime thriller film co-written and directed by John Dahl. It stars Val Kilmer as a young detective who becomes involved with a woman (Joanne Whalley) who is on the run from her psychopath boyfriend ...

'', 1989, erotic neo-noir * '' Inner Sanctum'', 1991, erotic-drama * ''

'', 1992, neo-noir * ''

Romeo Is Bleeding ''Romeo Is Bleeding'' is a 1993 neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Peter Medak, written and produced by Hilary Henkin, and starring Gary Oldman, Lena Olin, Annabella Sciorra, Juliette Lewis, and Roy Scheider. It follows a psychosexual ca ...

'', 1993, erotic neo-noir * '' Inner Sanctum II'', 1994, erotic-drama * '' China Moon'', 1994, erotic neo-noir * ''

'', 1994, erotic neo-noir * ''

Bound Bound or bounds may refer to: Mathematics * Bound variable * Upper and lower bounds, observed limits of mathematical functions Physics * Bound state, a particle that has a tendency to remain localized in one or more regions of space Geography * ...

'', 1996, erotic neo-noir crime thriller * ''

The Last Seduction II ''The Last Seduction II'' is a 1999 neo-noir film directed by Terry Marcel and starring Joan Severance. The film is a sequel to ''The Last Seduction'', but features none of the original cast or filmmakers. Plot Bridget Gregory, a femme fatale ...

'', 1999, erotic neo-noir

Post-period crossover films

* ''

'', 2002 mystery/thriller neo-noir * '' Unfaithful'' 2002, erotic-drama * ''

'', 2006, neo-noir * ''

Lust, Caution ''Lust, Caution'' ( zh, t=色，戒, p=Sè, Jiè, j=Sik1Gaai3) is a 2007 erotic film, erotic Spy film, spy romance film, romantic mystery film directed by Ang Lee, based on Lust, Caution (novella), the 1979 novella by Eileen Chang. ''Lust, Cau ...

'', 2007, erotic-drama * ''

Chloe Chloe (; ), also spelled Chloë, Chlöe, or Chloé, is a feminine name meaning "blooming" or "fertility" in Greek. The name ultimately derives, through Greek, from the Proto-Indo-European root , which relates to the colors yellow and green. Th ...

'' 2009 lesbian romantic drama * ''

Compulsion Compulsion, Compulsive, Compelling, or Compulsory may refer to: Psychology * Compulsive behavior, a psychological condition in which a person does a behavior compulsively, having an overwhelming feeling that they must do so. * Obsessive–compul ...

'', 2013, psychological dark comedy erotic thriller * '' Frank & Lola'', 2016, erotic neo-noir * ''

The Handmaiden ''The Handmaiden'' () is a 2016 South Korean erotic historical psychological thriller film directed, co-written and co-produced by Park Chan-Wook and starring Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo and Cho Jin-woong. It is inspired by the 2002 ...

'' 2016 lesbian romantic drama

References

Bibliography

{{DEFAULTSORT:Erotic Thriller *

Erotic thriller The erotic thriller is a film subgenre defined as a thriller with a thematic basis in illicit romance or sexual fantasy. Though exact definitions of the erotic thriller can vary, it is generally agreed "bodily danger and pleasure must remain i ...