The great directors tend to have their great muses: Scorsese has the mob, Leone had the American West, De Palma has Hitchcock. For Sean Baker, his greatest artistic muse is the world's oldest profession. Or, perhaps more accurately: sex work in all its many forms.

Uncovering the Naked Truth About Sex in Cinema

The Decline of Steamy Scenes

In recent years, the number of movies featuring explicit sexual content has plummeted, with a significant drop in the number of films tagged as having "mild" and "severe" sexual content on platforms like IMDb. This trend is particularly pronounced in the mainstream Hollywood landscape, where even acclaimed films like Challengers and Twisters have been devoid of much on-screen intimacy. The reasons behind this shift are multifaceted, ranging from the changing preferences of international audiences to the impact of the #MeToo movement and the rise of intimacy coordinators on film sets.

The Influence of Foreign Markets

The growing importance of foreign markets, particularly China and India, has had a significant impact on the types of films being produced in Hollywood. As these markets have become increasingly crucial to the bottom line, studios have had to cater to more conservative cultural sensibilities, leading to a decline in the production of films with explicit sexual content. The strict censorship policies of countries like China, which have limited the number of U.S. films allowed into their domestic markets, have further exacerbated this trend.

The Streaming Shift

While sex scenes have become increasingly rare on the big screen, they have found a new home on the small screen. The rise of streaming platforms has coincided with the decline of "adult" dramas in theaters, as shows like Presumed Innocent and Disclaimer, featuring sex and nudity, have found a home on platforms like Apple TV+. This shift suggests that the demand for more mature, sexually-charged content has not disappeared, but rather has been redirected to the more permissive environment of television and streaming.

The Changing Preferences of Younger Audiences

The changing attitudes of younger audiences, particularly Gen Z, have also played a role in the decline of sex scenes in mainstream cinema. Studies have shown that younger viewers are more interested in seeing platonic relationships and authentic, character-driven sexual content rather than the highly stylized, gratuitous sex scenes of the past. This shift in preferences has prompted filmmakers to rethink their approach to depicting intimacy on-screen, with a focus on creating more realistic and meaningful representations of sex and relationships.

The Impact of #MeToo and Intimacy Coordinators

The #MeToo movement has also had a significant impact on the way sex is portrayed in movies. The increased awareness of the need to protect actors' comfort and safety has led to the rise of intimacy coordinators, who work on set to ensure that sex scenes are choreographed and executed in a way that prioritizes the well-being of the performers. This shift has not only improved the experience for actors but has also resulted in more thoughtful and nuanced depictions of sex on-screen.

The Future of Sex in Cinema

Despite the decline in explicit sexual content in mainstream movies, there are still filmmakers like Sean Baker who are pushing the boundaries and exploring the complexities of sex and intimacy on the big screen. Films like Anora, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, demonstrate that there is still a place for bold, authentic, and emotionally resonant depictions of sex in cinema. As the industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether the pendulum will swing back towards more overt sexual content or if the future of sex on the silver screen will be one of subtlety, nuance, and a deeper exploration of the human experience.