Q&A: Movies with Explicit Sexual Content
Originally published:
This is an English translation (via GPT-5.4). Read the original Hebrew version.
Movies with Explicit Sexual Content
Question
Hi Michi, shalom Rabbi,
I would appreciate your opinion regarding watching movies that include explicit sexual scenes which are a significant part of the film, such as "Game of Thrones." Do you also think that in such cases it is permitted because there is no other way, and based on Rabbi Stav's reasoning?
Thanks in advance.
Answer
I am not familiar with the film in question. But I wrote about this in Column 487, and you can learn my view from there.
Discussion on Answer
I completely agree with the distinction. If without those scenes you would not have gone to the movie, then it seems obvious that it is forbidden, analogous to pork. But if you would have gone anyway, then it can be permitted.
I am familiar with the give-and-take discussion in the above-mentioned column—exemplary, it should be noted. My question is about films in which the sexual scenes are an integral part of the movie, a substantial part of the discussion and the “hype” around it is because of that. In such a case, is the person considered to be deriving benefit from the prohibition itself (and not merely benefit that comes to a person against his will)? After all, it is obvious that one cannot permit pork on the grounds that it is impossible to taste its flavor elsewhere.
Many thanks and with appreciation.