4 Hot Films that Aren’t 50 Shades | What's Your Favourite Kinky Movie?

As far as kinky films go, let’s give some credit to the 50 Shades of Grey phenomenon - it brought kink into the mainstream in a new way. But if you think that 50 Shades was the first major kinky movie about BDSM, think again, says writer Kayla Lords.

9 ½ Weeks - A kinky movie to watch for the heat

I’m old enough to remember when 9 ½ Weeks, released in 1986, came out in theatres and the uproar it caused. I didn't discover, until quite recently, just how sexual and provocative it was. Both young and beautiful, Kim Basinger and Mickey Rourke practically melt the screen. Watching it now, after all the protests 50 Shades created, their kinky relationship was erotic but unhealthy. 9 ½ Weeks is one of those kinky movies to watch for the heat, not as a primer on how to have a healthy relationship.

Crash - Do you like danger?

Directed by David Cronenberg and starring James Spader, Crash is what happens when you take your desire for kink and fetish to an unhealthy extreme. Do you like ***? Like danger? Or feeling terrified? Well, let’s fuck and crash a car at the same time. That, in a nutshell, is Crash. Also, a good lesson on what happens when you stop being safe, sane, and consensual. As one of the kinky movies released in 1996, it has an R-rated version and an NC-17 version; I know which one I’ll watch.

Secretary - Power exchange and spanking

The first time I watched Secretary was several years after its 2002 release. I felt confused, a little horrified, and very turned on. By the second time I watched it, I was in a D/s relationship and understood exactly what I had seen. I promised to be his secretary if he’d spank me like James Spader spanked Maggie Gyllenhaal. For anyone who enjoys power exchanges, spankings, discipline, and punishment (you know who you are), you’ll probably get as turned on as I do every time I see this kinky movie.

A Dangerous Method - Based on a real story

David Cronenberg came back in 2011 with a new exploration of kink with A Dangerous Method. The film is based on the real story of Carl Jung’s involvement with a female patient that takes a decidedly unprofessional (and kinky) turn. We already live under the stereotype that those of us who are kinky are “damaged” in some way. What one sees in a kinky movie like this could potentially play into that view. However, there are many who believe BDSM can heal people, too. A Dangerous Method gives voice to that reality as well. Either way, it’ll make you think and turn you on. When Keira Knightley looks up and says, “I want you to punish me”, I know I was turned on.

These aren’t the only kinky movies made in the last few decades about fetish. I thought about mentioning 'Exit to Eden'. Then felt that the movie, which did a total disservice to the book, wasn’t what I would call a true exploration of kink. My memories of the movie are that it almost made kink a joke. If you’ve seen these kinky movies and are looking for others, here’s a list of BDSM in media and culture to check out.

Kayla Lords is a freelance writer, sex blogger, and a masochistic babygirl living the 24/7 D/s life.