There’s a fine line between sexy and scary. Both lead us to act in unusual ways. Both come from primal emotions that are embedded deep within us to help us stay alive. Maybe that explains the myriad ways to make Halloween costumes more revealing, or maybe we just like getting egged on Michael Myers and Jason Vorhees. Any way you slice it, the fall season brings with it plenty of scary media that combine themes of death, torture and the supernatural with growing sexuality and taboo lust.
As you prepare to relax with that pumpkin spice latte and queue up your Halloween favorites, we’ve got a few shows to add to your list. Check out our top shows that bring chills and thrills to Netflix and chill.
“Right”
Before Twitter went hungry for real killer Ted Bundy after ‘The Ted Bundy Tapes’ and Netflix cast Zac Efron to play him in ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile’, there was another, less real killer giving us butterflies . in more ways than one.
The “Dexter” pilot makes it clear from the start that the title character isn’t your everyday, creepy type of criminal. In the first 10 minutes of the episode, we see Dexter shirtless and realize he’s not just a geeky analyst. His broad shoulders and toned torso show that years of hunting down and strangling “bad guys” make for a great stand-in for upper body day at the gym. His costume designer knows this – dressing him in a tight, navy-green Henley every time it tracks its prey.
To take things further, Dexter’s narration of the series helps heighten the feelings of unease and lust at the same time. He justifies his murderous tendencies with a clinical composure, his raspy voice leading each episode to its climax. In the show, the act of killing itself is quite familiar. The title sequence helps realize this vision by drawing clear parallels between Dexter’s deliberate, sensual morning routine and the closeness with which he captures his victims.
One thing is clear: beautiful killers are ingrained in our culture. But if we have to choose, we’ll take Michael C. Hall’s Dexter over a real villain any day.
“American Horror Story: Murder House”
When it comes to the horror genre, one of the most consistently scary shows out there is “American Horror Story.” This anthology series puts a new world within reach each season. However, the scariest season is the first. “Murder House” sees Ben and Vivien Harmon move into possibly the most haunted house in the world with their daughter, Violet.
The first season is full of death and explorations of what it means to be dead. However, between the latex suits, the allure of a seductive maid and the sex makeup, the season is definitely not no sexual interest.
First of all, Dr. Ben Harmon… I mean, come on. The continuous shadow of the clock gives the idea of a dark, rough side to him that never quite comes across in the show. But have you ever seen a more agitated person? While navigating the world of ghost psychotherapy, she also deals with many souls throughout the house. This includes the Rubber Man, who hangs around the house in a bondage suit that the previous owners of the house had bought to improve their sex lives.
“You”
Joe Goldberg and his obsession with attractive young women has taken the world by storm in recent years. This show is filled with tense sequences, murders, chases and darker themes. Although, like Dexter, Joe is ultimately a murderer, he does so out of (what he believes to be) love. This can help create a soft spot for him in the hearts of viewers.
Although Joe deals with his obsessive tendencies in rather careless ways (eg spying on and manipulating the social media of girls he’s interested in), there are some seriously steamy scenes scattered throughout throughout the three seasons. Every time Joe finds himself in bed with a woman, there is a sense of danger and lust as the audience is on the edge of their seats to see how it ends.
“True Blood”
Vampires are some of the sexiest horror creatures to ever grace our screens. I mean, is there a more intimate way to face your death than a bite to the neck? Just before the “Twilight” pandemonium hit the mainstream, “True Blood” was trading the “they’re going to, aren’t they?” intensity of YA novels for something a little more immediate.
Let me be clear, “True Blood” is not your typical vampire story. Instead of hiding their monsters in the shadows, the creators focus a debate about equality around the vampires themselves. Vampires in this world no longer need human blood to survive. Thus, they try to integrate into society, but encounter some opposition. At the same time, there are many opposing teams. Some vampires who want to integrate and those who don’t. Then there are people who want vampires integrated and those who don’t.
In any case, the underlying tension of the show enhances the sexual tension that is present throughout. Graveyard sex, first time sex, hate sex, makeup sex, you name it, it’s on “True Blood.” The great thing about the series is that, where horror media usually condemns sex with killers targeting troubled teenagers, “True Blood” celebrates sex.
“Black Mirror”
Another anthology series, each “Black Mirror” episode explores a different way society can break down. Many of the episodes focus on technological developments that inevitably take things too far and have negative consequences. From the most immediately realistic to futuristic installations, positive to absolutely terrifying “Black Mirror” will make you rethink opening your phone many times every day.
While not every episode is sexy, there are a couple that put “Black Mirror” on our list. The first is “Striking Vipers” (Season 5, Episode 1). You see longtime friends Danny and Karl explore their sexuality through a virtual reality video game called ‘Striking Vipers X.This episode has real life and simulated sex scenes. It explores issues much deeper than whether virtual sex counts as infidelity. Danny and Carl cast characters of opposite sexes, so their in-game sex is equally an exploration of homosexuality and gender fluidity. But the writing stops short of explaining the implications of their relationship.
Another episode to explore themes of infidelity through technology is “The Entire History of You” (Season 1, Episode 3). This episode thrusts us into a world where a new technology – called a “grain” – is implanted in people’s heads. It records everything they see so they can play back their memories later. The story centers on an accusation of infidelity. Lawyer Liam studies his own memories and those of his wife, Ffion, to confirm his suspicions that she was having an affair. In one of the most touching scenes of the episode, we see Liam and Fionn having sex. But instead of living in the moment, they relive the memories of their previous sexual encounters (essentially a literal “bank”) to help them drift away. Despite the bleak, rather disturbing outlook this scene conveys, the episode gives a whole new meaning to the POV genre.
These are our top 5 scary, sexy shows for fall. We’re looking forward to a warm fall with bagels and preparation to scream (in more ways than one). Let us know what you think of our list by contacting us on social media!
