Collider's pick: 5 steamy erotic thrillers to watch, from Body Heat to The Handmaiden

Collider film writer Liam Gaughan published a Jan. 29, 2026 guide naming five of the greatest steamy erotic thrillers he says are essential viewing if you want a starting point for the genre. Gaughan highlights Body Heat (1981) as an early genre milestone — a Lawrence Kasdan film produced by George Lucas that showcased strong performances from William Hurt and Kathleen Turner and a more nuanced depiction of gender roles.

He also points to Fatal Attraction (1987) as perhaps the most famous erotic thriller, a box-office sensation and Academy Awards contender starring Michael Douglas, whose controversial ending has continued to spur debate over Glenn Close’s character. Dangerous Liaisons (1988), directed by Stephen Frears and based on a classic novel, is listed for its scathing examination of high society and ethical gamesmanship; Gaughan notes its celebrated ensemble cast including Glenn Close and John Malkovich and the breakout performances from Michelle Pfeiffer, Uma Thurman and Keanu Reeves.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999), Stanley Kubrick’s final film, is described as a masterpiece that narrowly avoided an NC-17 rating; Gaughan observes the film’s prolonged production, its study and debate among critics since release, and its starring roles for Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, with Kubrick dying shortly after delivering his final cut.

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