While some people want to watch swoon-worthy romances on Valentine's Day, others desire something darker, maybe even toxic, but still a little sexy to celebrate the holiday. By definition, erotic thrillers fit the bill. The genre aims to combine the intensity of thrillers with themes of obsession, murder, and sexual desire that is often forbidden, taboo, or both.
Of course, erotic thrillers like Basic Instinct (1992) and Fatal Attraction (1987) never go out of style. However, this list chooses to spotlight some (perhaps) lesser-known titles of the genre. Here are the five best erotic thrillers to watch this Valentine's Day if you're looking for something steamy and dark. Find them on streamers like Prime Video, Peacock, and more right now.
Body Heat (1981)
Lawrence Kasdan's Body Heat earns high marks among erotic thriller fans. After all, it's a darkly sexy and compelling story about a passionate affair that leads to a murder plot. (You know, normal things.) In her breakout role, Kathleen Turner proves her star power as the husky-voiced femme fatale, while William Hurt expertly dials up tension as her sleazy lawyer love interest. With Ted Danson and Mickey Rourke also delivering solid supporting performances, Body Heat is worth watching for its cast alone.
Although set in the '80s, Body Heat feels distinctly old-school noir, with the film drawing inspiration from Double Indemnity (1944). Some might call it a knock-off, and they may even be true. However, Body Heat cranks the sexiness dial up more than a few notches. If you ate up the noir, almost Hitchcockian vibes of Body Double (1984) and American Gigolo (1980), Body Heat will satiate you.
Unfaithful (2002)
While stories about infidelity might be triggering for a Valentine's Day viewing, for others, it might be the perfect kind of catharsis. Director Adrian Lyne, also known for erotic thriller staple Fatal Attraction, delivers another tense, sexually-charged story about a disastrous extramarital affair. It's a dark exploration of what can happen when the pull to break free from suburban monotony comes calling.
Diane Lane, inarguably, steals every scene as the unfaithful wife of Richard Gere's character, rightfully earning her a Best Actress nomination at the Academy Awards. If you already know and love Lyne's particular breed of moody, voyeuristic-like erotic thrillers, like the aforementioned Fatal Attraction and 91/2 Weeks (1986), then Unfaithful should be a sure hit.
The Handmaiden (2016)
Did you watch Oldboy (2003) or Lady Vengeance (2005) and think, "Man, I'd love to see Park Chan-wook direct an erotic thriller?" Well, you've got two options: Thirst (2009) and The Handmaiden (2016). Because Thirst sits more firmly in the horror genre, The Handmaiden becomes the easy (and more acclaimed) recommendation. Not only is The Handmaiden a solid erotic thriller, but its 1930s setting during Japan's occupation of Korea makes it thoroughly unique.
Chan-wook proves his talent by blending genres once again, offering a story that's equally tense, twisty, and sexy. It's the ultimate steamy period-set erotic thriller for anyone craving a good sapphic romance with a happy ending. (Dear Hollywood, please give us more of those!)
The Love Witch (2016)
Okay, truthfully, The Love Witch might be a stretch when it comes to true erotic thriller territory. However, I'm including it because it's perfect for Valentine's Day. Oozing with a gorgeous 1960s aesthetic (seriously, this is one of the most beautiful movies I've ever seen), the Anna Biller film follows a modern-day witch whose obsessive and magical quest to find love results in more than a few fatalities.
The Love Witch is rich with satire and dark comedy, but it also has all the makings of a good erotic thriller, including explicit sex, murder, and obsession. At the same time, the movie subverts and critiques many of the tropes found in the genre, from the femme fatale archetype to the "male gaze." Its commentary on feminism remains both complicated and nuanced, making it ideal for anyone who likes symbolism and picking apart storybeats. Sick of the same old erotic thriller offerings? Then, absolutely try The Love Witch.
The Voyeurs (2021)
Although The Voyeurs might be a bit more divisive than some of the other entries on this list, it's likely an erotic thriller most people probably missed, given its direct release on Prime Video. Plus, with Sydney Sweeney's sexy scene in The Housemaid (2025) stirring up… feelings for many, some of you might want to check her out in an even more scandalous role. Here, she is one half of a couple (Justin Smith plays her boyfriend) who become obsessed with the turbulent lives of their neighbors across the street.
Nick Schager from Variety called The Voyeurs "a training-wheels mashup of Rear Window and any number of '90s erotic thrillers." While he undoubtedly meant that negatively, for some of us, that comparison isn't a bad thing. Sure, The Voyeurs might not reach the same critical heights as Rear Window, but it evokes a twisty, Hitchcockian vibe nonetheless. Taboo, dark, and filled with apt commentary on today's surveillance-heavy society, The Voyeurs is perfect for anyone who likes modern erotic thrillers like Deep Water (2022).
