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Trailer

sex, lies, and videotape

1989Movie1 h 41 minR

Drama
83
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.2Letterboxd3.9/5Metacritic867.7Rotten Tomatoes96%79%

A sensual, slow-burning drama movie about everyday modern life and family, with standout characters.

Good for date night · friends night · comfort watch

Skip it if you want fast pacing · you're watching with family

Where to watch

Fingerprint

Not for scares or adrenaline.

Movies with

Story

the husband. the wife. her sister. his friend.

Ann, a frustrated wife, enters into counseling due to a troubled marriage. Unbeknownst to her, her husband John has begun an affair with her sister. When John’s best friend Graham arrives, his penchant for interviewing women about their sex lives forever changes John and Ann’s rocky marriage.

Feels like

  • Intimate Character Study
  • Early Indie Cinema
  • Sexual Revolution
  • Voyeurism
  • Relationship Dynamics
  • Character-Driven Narrative
  • Psychological Drama
  • Talky
  • Suburban Discontent

Cast

6 of 6

Crew

Directed by
Steven Soderbergh
Written by
Steven Soderbergh
Produced by
John Hardy, Robert Newmyer
Music by
Cliff Martinez

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

August 4, 1989 · 1 h 41 min · R

Released
August 4, 1989
Runtime
1 h 41 min
Age rating
R
Content
Sexual Content, Strong Language
Genres
Drama
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Budget
$1 million
Box office
$25 million
Available in
57 countries

Tropes

Love Dodecahedron, Did They or Didn't They?, My Sensors Indicate You Want to Tap That +9

  • Love Dodecahedron
  • Did They or Didn't They?
  • My Sensors Indicate You Want to Tap That
  • Unresolved Sexual Tension
  • You Need to Get Laid
  • Celibate Hero
  • Anorgasmia
  • Affair Jewelry
  • Sexless Marriage
  • Facial Dialogue
  • Sibling Triangle
  • Sensitive Guy and Manly Man

12 of 34 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

6 questions, like "Where can I stream sex, lies, and videotape?"

Questions about sex, lies, and videotape

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream sex, lies, and videotape?

In the United States, you can rent or buy sex, lies, and videotape from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, and Fandango At Home. It streams in 9 other countries, but not in the United States.

Is sex, lies, and videotape worth watching?

83
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 83 (IMDb 7.2, Letterboxd 3.9 out of 5, Rotten Tomatoes 96%, and Metacritic 86). Critics rate it higher (91 out of 100) than audiences (76).

Is sex, lies, and videotape good for date night?

and 1 moreDate NightPartner WatchAdultsFriends NightPublic Viewing Safe

Yes: romance is 6 of 10, and the viewing guide lists it for date night.

Is sex, lies, and videotape plot-driven or character-driven?

CharactersPlot

Mostly character-driven: it leans on character depth (9 of 10) and dialogue centrality (9 of 10) more than on its plot.

Was sex, lies, and videotape a box office hit?

Budget$1 million
Box office$25 million

Yes, a big one: it cost about $1 million to make and earned $25 million worldwide, 20.6 times its budget.

What tropes does sex, lies, and videotape use?

Love DodecahedronDid They or Didn't They?My Sensors Indicate You Want to Tap ThatUnresolved Sexual TensionYou Need to Get LaidCelibate HeroAnorgasmiaAffair JewelrySexless MarriageFacial DialogueSibling TriangleSensitive Guy and Manly Manand 22 more

TV Tropes lists 34 tropes for it, including Love Dodecahedron, Did They or Didn't They?, and My Sensors Indicate You Want to Tap That.