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What even is the point of sex scenes in moves/tv?


StarrySkies

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StarrySkies

No, seriously, what is the point story-wise? There's nothing accomplished by these scenes that can't be explained in a line of dialogue or with some other implication that it happened. A few seconds is one thing but there's some that go on for minutes at a time and they do absolutely nothing to advance the plot. I'm not even grossed out by these scenes really, just bored. Does anyone else have this problem?

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Scottthespy

I'm going to go ahead and assume you're talking about movies that aren't made specifically to be about sex and sexuality, such as porn or 50 Shades of Grey.

For the most part? Its because the overwhelming majority of the people consuming the media are low key titillated by these scenes. Its an emotional, empathic engagement, something that just interests people, catches their attention in subconscious but pleasant ways. For those of us who carry no interest in such things, that engagement doesn't click and we're left feeling cold and bored as we wait for the part of the story we were interested in to pick back up. It can also work nicely as padding if you need the show to be five minutes longer, or the book to have ten more pages (or 50, in the case of one egregious example I can name). Its kind of like video games that are mostly about the shooting and the killing, but there's a bunch of lore and story that gets dumped on you at certain points. Some gamers will be be interested and find the world more full and immersive because of it, others will find it a nifty diversion, and some will be mashing the 'next' button as fast as they can to get through this 'pointless interruption'. Its all about engagement, and the different things that different people find engaging. 

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MakeupJunkie4

I'm DEFINITELY a human - but I'm not a fan of those types of scenes either. I agree with you @StarrySkies - there are ways to reference sex in a storyline without being explicit. That's why I love classic films - they have very creative ways of "hinting" at sexual content that isn't excessive and doesn't turn off humans who are different (like us). We matter just as much as allos. ;) I have several gay friends who feel the same way - they don't appreciate explicit straight sex scenes either. Some straight allos don't even like it because of past bad experiences, religious backgrounds - there's all sorts of reasons. Not everyone enjoys it, just saying. 👍

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Aside from getting a reaction from viewers, a sex scene can show quite a bit of character. Who makes the first move? Who seems more into it? Does one seem hesitant or shy? Is one more experienced/inexperienced? Who takes the lead? Do they both seem concerned about how the other is feeling, or is one of them more selfish and focused on themselves? Is there dialogue during? Do they act the same in bed as in public, or do they act differently (such as a quiet librarian transforming into a demanding dominatrix)? Is it used as a character introduction, thus opperating as a shorthand to show what their personality is like? 

 

Or story. Is the scene meant to be romantic? Was one character talked into it, and obviously shows unwillingness during the act? Are the characters having fun with it? Is it the climax to two characters flirting around each other the entire movie/book/season? Maybe one character finally came out of their shell and the scene is meant to express their change. Is the scene traumatic or a jumping off point for the plot (such as an assault)? 

 

As an example: In Versailles episode 1, the viewer is introduced to the king's younger brother Phillipe in a scene of him blowing his lover. This is shocking because his lover is a male and this is in the 1600s-1700s thereabouts during the rule of Louis 14. Also it shows his personality as indulgent, frivolous, focused on pleasure rather than how others expect him to act. Also he is quite dependant on his lover for various things so them being introduced together is good for showing how close they are. 

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Sex sells. 

 

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ThatLonelyBookworm

It's relatable to 99% of people, I guess. 

Sometimes we aces need to remember that even though we're theoretically 77 million strong around the globe, we're still only 1% of people and the majority of people like that stuff. It's like 99% of people are crazy about brownies dunked in ketchup, and we just don't get it but we see it everywhere.

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badbunny ll bonnie

At least from my perspective or what I'd figure based off on what I'v heard fro other people, sex is at least if used in the right direction, can be used as a way to develop character. Take a movie called "Black Swan" for example, using the sex scenes to show corruption within a character and both physical and mental taintment as she lets her own obsessions begin to spiral in her desire to succeed. If used correctly, sex can be quite powerful if anything as within society, sex is something held in high esteem in value, so much so we have people who commit crimes, harm others, and even cheat for the sake of it. With this in mind, sex is something that in movies is an amazing way of showing corruption and internal rupture where a character gives into what can be considered as a basic desire in the eyes of allosexuals. Hell even one of the seven deadly sins is known to be lust so with that in mind sex as a whole can be used for this function. And this doesn't even consider other elements like using it to show character relationships or using it as a place for conflict in general

 

Honestly despite of my own repulsiveness to sex scenes in shows, I will give them credit where they stand. Because just simply referencing that two or more characters did something lacks the emotions impact of actually showcasing the scene. Because from a story mindset: sex can be used as a main climax for the relationship of characters. And especially in shows that emphasize a certain relationship, in the eyes of a mainly allosexual audience, all the build up of a relationship or romance or anything else, especially if they are the main focus of the movie, having them participate in an act depicted for years in religious sources, stories, and more as one of the highest and personal forms of union, only to just reference it casually won't have the same emotional impact to an allo audience ultimately. If from the perspective of another ace person, I can get this because aces hold higher value to other romantic or personal acts, but we have to consider that allos make up most of the population so that narrative is a path that isn't as taken

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I guess that these scenes are relatable for most people.

If you go to a romantic/psychological movie, hot scenes may wake you up from all the boring lovey-dovey stuff.

Personally I sometimes find an effect of well done sexual tension on libido. Strangely my chinchilla reacts better than me: she often does her mating calls during these.😅 Yes, sexual moans and classical music are her favourite things.

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Janus the Fox

I think it’s used often to allow a deeper level of character development.  Some of it is forced and really early on in a story, but it’s more reasonable to see when characters and plot develops.

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Honestly I don't mind the sexual liberation we've been seeing in recent shows if it serves the narrative. A show like Sense8 for example, makes good use of sex scenes as a way to connect all the characters, and it's really not about the act but the connection. The Witcher however, I found was almost ruined by all the sex scenes that had little to no purpose besides appealing to the lizard brain. Another good example of sex done well is Castlevania (great series, watch it right now) and I'm going to put why in spoilers just in case you want to see for yourself 

Spoiler

Sex between the main 2 characters is implied and told out loud, but never shown, and the only actual sex scenes (2 in 1 really) had a different intent that wasn't love behind it (when the twins try to kill Alucard and when the vampire lady enslaves the forgemaster with the ring).

 

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@SithEmpress and @Iunyavii, your posts were really thought-provoking. I love film analysis and getting new insights into this field, and learn about other people's POV.

Sex and violence might seem/be redundant in many cases, but it's worth considering whether they serve a deeper purpose in a movie.

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4 hours ago, kiaroskuro said:

@SithEmpress and @Iunyavii, your posts were really thought-provoking. I love film analysis and getting new insights into this field, and learn about other people's POV.

Sex and violence might seem/be redundant in many cases, but it's worth considering whether they serve a deeper purpose in a movie.

A big thing in writing that we're told over and over again in Creative Writing 101, so pretty basic, is to never include something that doesn't add to the plot, characters, scene, whatever. Film and visual media might be different, but there are so many book reviews or editors reading over something only to ask "What does this add to the story?" and if the answer is "nothing, I just wanted it" then the answer should be to cut it. So if it's a sex scene just to fill time, then it should've been cut. Unless the purpose is just to keep viewers' attention, like in GoT where sex would be going on and plot would be happening around it, despite the scene not needing the sex. 

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