10 Films About Prostitution You Should Watch

Description: This film follows Joe Buck, a naive Texan who moves to New York City to become a gigolo, only to find himself befriending a small-time con artist. It's a poignant look at the harsh realities of street life.

Fact: It was the only X-rated film to win the Best Picture Oscar.

Description: This neo-noir thriller involves a detective, John Klute, who hires a call girl, Bree Daniels, to help him solve a case. It's notable for its portrayal of a woman trying to escape her past in the sex trade.

Fact: Jane Fonda won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Bree Daniels.

Description: While not solely about prostitution, the film features significant scenes involving sex workers, particularly through the character of Iris, a teenage prostitute whom Travis Bickle tries to save.

Fact: Jodie Foster was only 12 years old when she played Iris, and her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination.

Description: This iconic romantic comedy features a Cinderella-like story where a prostitute, Vivian Ward, transforms the life of a wealthy businessman, Edward Lewis. It's included for its portrayal of the transformation and the relationship dynamics between the characters.

Fact: The film was originally intended to be a much darker drama, but was rewritten as a romantic comedy. Julia Roberts was paid $300,000 for her role, which skyrocketed her career.

Description: A tragic love story about an alcoholic screenwriter who moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death and meets a prostitute, Sera, with whom he forms an intense relationship. This film is notable for its raw depiction of addiction and the sex industry.

Fact: Nicolas Cage won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role, and the film was shot in just 28 days.

Description: Based on the true story of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute who became a serial killer. Charlize Theron's transformative performance highlights the desperation and brutality that can exist in the life of a sex worker.

Fact: Charlize Theron gained 30 pounds for the role and won an Academy Award for Best Actress.

Description: While not exclusively about prostitution, the film includes scenes where the protagonist, Kitty Fane, interacts with prostitutes in a remote Chinese village, highlighting cultural and moral differences.

Fact: The film was shot on location in China, and the village scenes were filmed in Guangxi Province.

Description: Starring Sasha Grey, this film examines the life of a high-end escort during the 2008 financial crisis, offering a unique perspective on the intersection of sex work and economic turmoil.

Fact: The film was shot in just 18 days and was one of the first feature films to use the Red One digital camera.

Description: Based on the true story of Mark O'Brien, a poet paralyzed from the neck down, who hires a sex surrogate to lose his virginity. It provides a sensitive exploration of intimacy and human connection.

Fact: Helen Hunt received an Academy Award nomination for her role as the sex surrogate.

Description: This French film, told in reverse chronological order, follows the aftermath of a brutal attack on a woman, Alex, who was once a prostitute. It's included for its unflinching look at violence and the consequences of revenge.

Fact: The film was shot in just 13 days and features a 10-minute single-take rape scene, which has been both praised for its realism and criticized for its graphic nature.