10 films edgier than Fifty Shades of Grey

"Fifty Shades of Grey" has been a polarizing novel since it first hit shelves back in 2011. It was soon followed by two sequels, and now a movie franchise, rekindling the debate on bedroom violence.

The story depicts a BDSM sexual relationship that everyone and their mom seems to have an opinion on.

Well, grab your torch and pitchforks because NorthernLife.ca is taking a look back at the pre-Pinterest world and listing the top mainstream movies that sparked more controversy, discussion and critically acclaimed mentions than the 20 minutes of lackluster sex scenes brought forth by "Fifty Shades of Grey."

Basic Instinct (1992) – The opening sequence features a graphic sexual encounter involving a rock-star bound with a white scarf by an unidentified blond woman. Actress Sharon Stone plays wicked writer Catherin Tramell, in the movie which features graphic sex, violence and the infamous interrogation, leg-crossing “revelation” scene.

9 ½ Weeks (1986) - The film is about an art dealer named Elizabeth and her sexual obsession, domination and finally degradation by a man named John, whom she meets by accident. Their stormy affair predictably last 9 ½ weeks.

Crash (1996) – This David Cronenberg film focused on a group of deviants who are addicted to an extreme form of sexual encounters – they derive sexual satisfaction by deliberately crashing cars.

Blue Velvet (1986) – The iconic David Lynch film has a ton of physical violence with twisted depiction on love and sex slaves, while exploring the dark side of the American dream. The movie is now studied by film study students around the globe.

Kids (1995) – Centered on a day in the life of a group of sexually active underage teenagers and their behaviour toward sex and substance abuse, the movie paints a bleak portrait. The protagonist Telly narrows his promiscuity down to sleeping only with virgins, with the aim of infecting them with HIV.

Last Tango in Paris (1972) – A Franco-Italian drama portrays a recent American widower’s violently sexual relationship with a young Parisian woman. Initially given an X rating in the United States, the film was rereleased by MGM in 1981.

Eyes Wide Shut (1999) – The thriller starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman follows the sexual adventures of Dr. Bill Harford as he embarks on a massive masked orgy of an unnamed secret society. How risqué! The film took in $162 million at the worldwide box office and positive critical reaction.

Secretary (2002) – The story follows a student, played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, who embarks on a BDSM relationship with her employer, an attorney played by James Spader. Spoiler alert: After sorting through a tangled love triangle, the couple goes on to live happily ever after in a dominant-submissive relationship.

Hostel (2005) – One of the first major movies depicting torture as a form of sexual pleasure. The film showed “regular” people paying for the privilege of torturing and killing victims provided to them on their “murder vacation”.

Nymphomaniac Vols. 1 & 2 (2014) – The film stars Charlotte Gainsbourg, Stellan Skarsgard, Stacy Martin, Shia LaBeouf, Christian Slater, Connie Nielsen, Jamie Bell, Uma Thurman, and Willem Dafoe. The plot is much like the title suggests. Actual sex was performed and filmed by porn actors, and the film’s actors were digitally merged with them.