Sometimes, we just want to get lost in a movie that refuses to hold back with the shock factor. There’s nothing safe about it, and that’s precisely what makes it so unforgettable. It’s not just mere entertainment, it’s sheer art.
While I love a standard action flick or a formulaic rom-com, for the most part, I’m looking to be wowed. And what better way to do this than by streaming an NC-17 movie? Sure, they’re not all artistic triumphs, but they tend to leave a lasting impression in any case. With this in mind, here are the most shocking, chaotic, and controversial films within this rarely-used rating system that you can stream right now.
Blonde (2022)
Oh man, you guys. Being the old Hollywood/Marilyn Monroe fanatic I am, I was dying to watch this surrealist biopic from the moment the trailer dropped. Well, I’ve streamed it, and I have regretted it ever since. It’s not that I wasn’t on the edge of my seat throughout the whole movie (I was), but it’s so disturbing and nightmarish that I had to sleep with a nightlight for a whole week afterwards (I’m a full-grown adult). Truly a horrifying movie, but if you’re in the mood to be heartbroken and disturbed like never before (to each their own?) Blonde might be your cup of tea. Available for streaming on Netflix.
Showgirls (1995)
Showgirls, starring Saved by the Bell star Elizabeth Berkley, was once nominated as the worst film of 1995. But 30 years later, the glitzy film about an ambitious showgirl is now labeled as high camp. We love to see a cultural shift.
Wide Sargasso Sea (1993)
I’ve read hundreds of books, but whenever someone asks me to name my top favorite book of all time, Wide Sargasso Sea is always my response. Written by Dominiquan writer Jean Rhys, the story tells the tale of a woman from the Caribbean trying her best to assimilate into English culture. It features Mr. Rochester from Jane Eyre as the leading antagonist, which makes perfect sense since the film is a prequel to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. The film does the novel serious justice, and is available for streaming on YouTube.
Orgazmo (1997)
I’m a big fan of South Park, so I love the fact that the show’s creators, Matt Stone and Trey Parker, have a whole bunch of comedic films from the ‘90s under their belt. In this hilarious movie, Trey Parker plays a Mormon missionary who ends up becoming a porn star. You know. The usual.
Blue Is the Warmest Color (2013)
This indie coming-of-age film follows an ambitious girl who is just trying to get a boyfriend. So why does she find herself utterly fixated on another girl with blue hair? And what will become of their unusual connection?
Requiem for a Dream (1990)
Honestly, what could be scarier than getting messed up on hard drugs while wandering around Coney Island? I, for one, don’t want to know. But if you’re in the mood to be haunted and scarred for life, this Darren Aronofsky film will do just the trick. Small note here: the film was originally released as unrated in movie theaters, but the NC-17 version is available on certain streaming platforms.
Lust, Caution (2007)
In 1940s Shanghai, Wong Chia Chi is hired to assassinate government official Mr. Yee through seduction. As you can imagine, the film is quite racy, which caused several countries to release cut versions that didn’t include the many sexual scenes. The film also had a negative impact on lead actress Tang Wei’s career as she was blacklisted from the Chinese film industry for three years due to her sex scenes.
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1989)
Given the title, it should be no surprise that Pedro Almodóvar’s 1989 film is quite promiscuous. After his release from a mental hospital, Ricky is on a mission to win back his love, actress Marina Osorio. His only problem is that she doesn’t remember him from her days as a drug addicted porn star. However, if he can tie her up, then surely she’ll fall back in love with him, right? It’s a pretty twisted story, so its NC-17 rating is only fair to assure all viewers are age-appropriate.
