Sexuality is one of the crucial elements that has helped shape horror over time. Be it seductive vampire bites still frequently seen in the media today, or cannibalism as a form of all-consuming love as recently depicted in Bones and All , horror films often hold the potential to be some of the most sexually charged genres in film. Classics like Psycho and Dracula paved the way for the sub-genre, breaking ground in an era where the utilization of sex in movies, particularly when involving women, was repressed.
While mental health and trauma are two of the most tackled topics in horror, gender and sexuality do not fall far behind. This proves that, when combined with captivating dramatic narratives, the fan-favorite genre can be so much more than its chilling jumpscares and unsettling atmospheres.
While an overlooked film compared to other more popular watches on this list, Brian Yuzna 's Society is worth checking if you're looking for thought-provoking horror movies that deal with themes of sexuality.
The story centers on an ordinary teenage boy Billy Warlock who discovers the truth behind his family's strange behavior: they are part of a gruesome orgy cult that blurs the lines between sex, power, and consumption.
Society resorts to the horror genre and sexuality-related topics to deliver a sharp critique Society resorts to the horror genre and sexuality-related topics to deliver a sharp critique of the class system, social norms, and the commodification of the human body. Its shocking narrative and disturbing imagery are metaphors for the themes it deals with; at its core, Yurzna's unnerving film challenges viewers to question their understanding of pleasure and power, using sexuality not only as a form of exploitation but also as social commentary on how the rich feed off the bodies of those with less power.
