The Fifty Shades series, consisting of three films released between 2015 and 2018, garnered widespread mockery throughout the 2010s. While the novels were guilty pleasures for some and bafflingly awful for others, the trilogy nevertheless became a cultural phenomenon and was successfully adapted into movies. For fans of Fifty Shades or those seeking films with similar themes or a “so-bad-it’s-good” vibe, there are several other movies worth considering.
One such film is “Zandalee” (1991), directed by Sam Pillsbury. This movie features Nicolas Cage in a role that highlights his overacting skills, making it a fascinating mess to watch. Similarly, Paul Schrader’s “Cat People” (1982) offers a remake of the 1942 horror classic with a more explicit approach to erotic content. Another film, “Killing Me Softly” (2002), directed by Chen Kaige, presents a 21st-century take on the erotic thriller genre, following a woman as she grapples with her husband’s mysterious past.
“The Boy Next Door” (2015), directed by Rob Cohen and starring Jennifer Lopez, explores the complicated consequences of a woman’s affair with a much younger man. Paul Schrader’s “American Gigolo” (1980) stars Richard Gere as an escort entangled in a murder investigation. Meanwhile, “365 Days” (2020), directed by Barbara Białowąs and Tomasz Mandes, is a Polish erotic thriller/drama based on a series of books known for their explicit content.
A Still From Don Jon (2013) (Via IMDB)
The Fifty Shades sequel, “Fifty Shades Darker” (2017), directed by James Foley, continues to follow Christian Grey and Ana Steele as they navigate their complex relationship. In “Basic Instinct” (1992), directed by Paul Verhoeven, Michael Douglas plays a detective obsessed with the victim’s mistress during a murder investigation. “Twilight” (2008), directed by Catherine Hardwicke, offers a romantic subplot amidst its vampire storyline.
“The Voyeurs” (2021), directed by Michael Mohan, stars Sydney Sweeney as a woman obsessed with spying on her neighbors, while “Don Jon” (2013), directed by Joseph Gordon-Levitt, is a romantic comedy/drama that delves into pornography addiction. “Shame” (2011), directed by Steve McQueen, stars Michael Fassbender as a sex addict struggling to connect with others. Gaspar Noé’s “Love” (2015) explores a young couple’s experimentation with sex.
“The Piano Teacher” (2001), directed by Michael Haneke, follows a repressed piano teacher’s forbidden romance with a younger man. Lastly, “Last Tango in Paris” (1972), directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, features Marlon Brando and Maria Schneider in an intense and uncomfortable relationship.
These movies, while not always mainstream hits, provide a look into the world of sensual cinema, appealing to those interested in themes of romance, eroticism, and complex relationships.
