Erotic thrillers are a subgenre of movies that were at their most popular a few decades ago, yet one Amazon Prime Video original film harkened back to those days. Some of the most famous iterations of the erotic thriller are 9 1/2 Weeks, Basic Instinct, and the cult classic Showgirls, all released in the 80s and 90s.

Their popularity waned over time to the point where finding a modern erotic thriller that made waves is difficult. A lot of them either don’t go quite as far as they did in their heyday or they end up as straight-to-video releases that are quickly forgotten about.

Prime Video actually released what might be the best erotic thriller ever in 2016’s The Handmaiden. However, that flew under the radar, just as their 2021 entry into the subgenre starring Sydney Sweeney did. It’s unfortunate because star power is needed to revitalize the genre.

The Voyeurs Has Everything That Makes An Erotic Thriller Great

It’s Perfect For The Genre

Prime Video’s original film The Voyeurs is a throwback to what made the erotic thriller such a fun genre in the first place. The film focuses on a couple who spy on their neighbors across the street, who live a lifestyle filled with Sєx, excitement, and mystery. Of course, their obsession with the couple turns dark.

The movie makes sure to include several steamy scenes the subgenre is known for but like the best erotic thrillers, there’s much more to this than just the Sєxual aspect. For starters, The Voyeurs is filled with shady characters who you never quite know everything about. It’s in that intriguing gray area where the film operates that it works best.

The cast playing those characters is stellar as well, with Sydney Sweeney being joined by acclaimed young actors Justice Smith and Natasha Liu Bordizzo, among others. The Voyeurs is also filled with plenty of plot twists, leaving you unsure of what’s going to happen next, which is another staple of the genre.

The Mixed Reviews For The Voyeurs Is In Line With A Lot Of Erotic Thrillers

That’s Par For The Course With The Subgenre

Part of the reason The Voyeurs wasn’t discussed much when it arrived, despite having a big name like Sydney Sweeney, was that the critical reception wasn’t very strong. The film sits at a mere 44%% on Rotten Tomatoes and the Popcornmeter from audience members is also only 45%.

That said, those kinds of mixed reviews are in line with the majority of the hits from the genre. On Rotten Tomatoes, 9 1/2 Weeks is only at 58%, Basic Instinct is at 56%, and Indecent Proposal sits at 34%. Yet, despite those critical scores, those films have remained icons of the genre.

There’s a chance that The Voyeurs can do the same thing and become more notable as time goes on. Given the wild plot twists, talented cast, and over-the-top story, it’s the kind of film that is ripe for cult status at some point.