Babygirl, But Better: A Sexologist’s Guide to What to Watch When You’re Horny

When Babygirl misses the mark, here’s what to watch instead—erotic media that turns you on and expands your understanding of desire.

Like many people (especially if you spend time in the circles I do), you’ve probably heard about Babygirl, the new erotic thriller starring Nicole Kidman. The film explores themes of power, desire, and sexual agency through the lens of a high-powered CEO navigating an affair with her younger intern. It attempts to unpack consent, power imbalances, and the complexity of erotic autonomy, highlighting how social and personal dynamics shape intimacy.

Sounds promising, right?

Except… it fell a little flat.

Not to sound like that person, but the characters lacked depth. There wasn’t enough context around the backstory—where these desires came from, what was driving them, and how they fit into the broader themes of eroticism and power. Maybe it’s my professional curiosity as a sexologist (or maybe I just expect more from my smut), but I found myself craving a deeper exploration of sexuality beyond the surface-level “forbidden affair” trope.

Would I still recommend watching? Sure. But it wasn’t my favourite.

Which got me thinking—what should you actually be watching or reading when you want something that’s not just sexy, but intelligently horny?

Because here’s the thing: erotic media should turn you on, but it can also expand your understanding of desire, power, and the psychology of attraction.

So, if Babygirl didn’t quite hit the mark, here’s my curated list of books and films that will.

A Sexologist’s Guide to What to Consume When You’re Horny

📖 A Court of Thorns and Roses – If you want fairy smut, this is it. Think tension, fantasy, and deeply suggestive storytelling that makes for a deliciously slow burn. Available as an audiobook or a big fat book to lounge around your house with.

📺 The L Word – The L stands for lesbian, but if you’re looking for a show that’s hot, queer, and full of messy, complicated, delicious drama, this is it. There’s truly something for everyone.

📺 Erotic Minds – A fascinating series that explores the science behind desire, attraction, and pleasure. It’s a must-watch for anyone interested in how the brain processes eroticism and what actually makes us want.

📺 Slutever – Hosted by Karley Sciortino, this docuseries is fun, unfiltered, and explores all corners of modern sexuality—from ethical non-monogamy to sex work, fetishes, and how different cultures approach pleasure. If you want to think about sex differently, this is one to add to the list.

The Pleasure Conversation

Sexuality is complex—desire is shaped by power, relationships, and even the media we consume. In my latest podcast episode, I sat down with Laura Miano, a Clinical Sexologist and co-founder of POSMO, to talk about how pleasure fits into all aspects of life. We covered everything from choosing the right sex toys to why lube is having a renaissance and what erotic films like Babygirl tell us about intimacy and power.

🎧 Listen here: Sex Toys, Babygirl, and the Pleasure Revolution with Laura Miano

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Final Thoughts

Babygirl might not have delivered on the depth of eroticism we deserve—but there’s no shortage of better options. Whether you’re into fairy smut, queer longing, or sex education, this list has something to stimulate your mind and your body.