Movies about Exhibitionism - Mental Health Related Films

Our lives are so much more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnosis, or symptom checklist could ever portray.

While movies are not always accurate, they often present subtleties and explore complexities in enriching and thought-provoking ways.

This article series invites you to use film to explore mental-health-related themes, raise awareness, open dialogue and normalise experiences.

If we missed an essential film about exhibitionism, please let us know. We would love to include it.

Click to see the Ultimate List of Mental Health Movies index

What is Exhibitionism?

Exhibitionism refers to the act of exposing body parts usually deemed private in public or semi-public places (e.g. the genitals, breasts, or buttocks) to an audience of friends or strangers. Motivations include playfulness, amusement, protest, tradition, intimidation, and sexual gratification.

Although exhibitionism can, depending on the context, be harmless fun, it also brings risks (e.g. charges of indecent exposure) and is associated with diagnosable conditions, e.g. Exhibitionistic Disorder (F65.2) and Histrionic Personality Disorder (F60.4).

Exhibitionistic Disorder is diagnosed only under exceptional circumstances.

These include…

• Experiencing recurrent urges and intense sexual arousal from acts of exposure (of one’s genitals to an unsuspecting person), over at least 6 months. And…
• Acting on such sexual urges with non-consenting others or experiencing fantasises of such intensity that they cause clinically significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.

Histrionic Personality Disorder differs from Exhibitionistic Disorder; however, some of its features promote exhibitionist behaviours.

These include…

• Being frequently dramatic and or attention-seeking
• Being inappropriately sexually seductive or provocative (often!)
• Consistently uses physical appearance to draw attention to self.

Note: The histrionic individual is driven by a need for attention, not sexual gratification. These features are only considered symptoms if they cause clinically significant distress or impairment in important areas of functioning.

Movies About Exhibitionism

Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.

Movie Title: Pink Flamingos - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1972

Rated: 6.1

Cast: Divine, David Lochary, Mary Vivian Pearce

Storyline: The story is about the notorious criminal named Divine and a couple jealous of her for having the title "The Filthiest Person Alive". The movie features scenes that centre on exhibitionism, voyeurism , rape , and foot fetishism .

Movie Title: Frivolous Lola - Watch now on Prime

Release: 1998

Rated: 5.2

Cast: Hilary Swank, Chloe Sevigny, Peter Sarsgaard, Brendon Sexton III

Storyline: Set in the 1950s northern Italy, the story is about a young couple whose views on premarital sex differ. The movie shows voyeurism and exhibitionism.

Additional Resources

• Wikipedia page on Exhibitionism
• Wikipedia page on Histrionic Personality Disorder
• Medscape article on Personality Disorder

Acknowledgements

The above article was written under my close direction and supervision. However, much credit goes to Charlene Poliquit (my right-hand man) and Andri Eigenberger (my beloved aunt) for their huge efforts in bringing this task to life.

Vincenzo Sinisi