Double the Fun?

I saw my most recent double feature with my friend and upcoming film club treasurer Riley Wilson '28. Everyone has been providing their thoughts and commentary on the rise in sex movies this summer. We saw two of them. If you are curious about my thoughts before the movie released about the two films we watched check out my blog titled, "My Most Anticipated Releases for the Rest of 2026."

The Other Sex Movies I Didn't Double Feature

Returnning to the sex movies topic, do I know all of these releases are in response to the rise of conservatism? Yes. Are most of them good? No. I didn't particularly enjoy I Want Your Sex for its depiction of sex. I didn't particularly enjoy for One Night Only for its depiction of sex, or rather lack thereof. I think those two sit at a very weird part of the spectrum. Gregg Araki is disappointed by gen-z's sex-eversion, and makes commentary about it using the film. Will Gluck is aware of it and caters to it. The problem is both films would benefit from the other's method.

Araki's film has two big flaws in its story. One is that the sex depicted in the film can't truly be consensual because of the grooming aspect, regardless if it is played for laughs. The other is that it then makes the commentary that "all gen-z are sexless except gay men," which is a terrible homophobic message to push, regardless of Araki's sexuality.

One Night Only takes place in a purge-like world where sex is stripped from non-married individuals, yet is played for a cutesy rom-com. The film is far from realistic and we are supposed to see it as cute, but in what world is this something wholesome? This would cause an increase in marriage, divorce, and sexual assault. There are many flashes of random people around the street having sex in the movie, but the two leads were very tame.

Araki's was too risky and Gluck's was too safe. It isn't that sex shouldn't or can't be depicted, and it isn't that sex should and can be depicted, it just has to be tasteful, advance the plot/story, and not cross into blurred lines.

Now onto the sex movies I double featured.

Image from The Invite.

The Invite directed by Olivia Wilde

In a way, Riley and I hated that we watched the amazing one first. We caught an early show I think at around 10am. This film was so tense and awkward, but also hilarious at times. I love how intimate it was with its small cast.

The blocking was also so important for subtle storytelling like Angela swiftly throwing out her quiche and Hawke trying not to correct the usage of the word "fireman" during a heated argument. Everything about this movie was awkward in the best way possible. This felt like watching a public breakup, but also being in line with a couple at a theme park that cannot stop with the excessive PDA. This explores all things relationship.

I have always believed that Seth Rogen is/was a good actor and this film proves it. All of the actors just brought their a-game. It really felt like you were there alongside them. It is one of my favorite movies of the year. I have no regrets watching this, and I would rewatch it in a heartbeat.

After the film it was raining. Not rainy enough to be considered pouring, but too rainy to be considered drizzling, so it was somewhat annoying. We trudged to the car and made our way to Panera Bread to enjoy our post-movie conversation with a salad and sandwich.

Image from Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass.

Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass directed by David Wain

I had such high hopes for this movie and I was let down. The pacing is whack. Some of the characters are frankly racial stereotypes, and it just wasn't fun. There was one good joke in the entire movie and it was by Tobie Windham. The joke was the running threat that his character would make them "really sick," not kill them, but sick.

To elaborate more on the racism claims, Otto was both a gay best friend and Black best friend stereotype. He was reduced to literally being Toto, an animal who cannot speak. I think a huge fundamental flaw in this movie really was that humanization. The second character is Caleb. The character both follows the submissive Asian-male character stereotype and Tiger mom stereotype through his description of his mother.

The thing is I would have been fine if it was bad, boring, or unfunny, but it was also stereotypical, which kind of broke my heart. That is why it was depressing to watch this film second, and I don't recommend this movie out of the summer of sex movies. I do think the costume homages to The Wizard of Oz were fun, but not nearly enough to save this movie.

I hope you enjoyed, and although this blog is ending on a low note! It is important to remember that censorship can be very bad, whether explicitly through bans, or implicitly through societal changes. It is okay to watch and enjoy movies containing sex, if you like it! Just because some people say it is bad, does not mean it is bad, if no one is being harmed. As always, stay safe, watch movies.