Movies about fetishistic disorder - Mental Health Related Films
Movies that explore, engage, or offer insight into having a fetish (or fetishistic disorder) and the social and psychological issues involved.
Human lives and behaviour are far more nuanced and emotive than any psychiatric diagnostic system or symptom checklist can ever portray.
Most people recognise aspects of themselves in at least a few psychiatric diagnostic categories. The difference between normal and disorder is not straightforward and often has more to do with degree rather than kind, i.e. does it cause big problems?
While movies are not perfect depictions of reality, they often present themes in relatable, enriching, usefully challenging, and thought-provoking ways.
We invite you to explore mental health through movies that raise awareness, open dialogue, present complexity, entertain, and/or normalise experiences.
Click to see the Ultimate List of Mental Health Movies index
What is a fetish?
We say someone has a fetish when they exhibit an intense sexual desire that is linked to a body part or object not typically associated with sex, i.e. feet, rubber clothing, handbags, rope, pain, etc. These features may be required for sexual arousal, pleasure, or gratification to be possible.
Are fetishes bad?
Assuming the fetish does not cause distress or harm (to you or your sexual partner) and is carried out with full consent (if another person is involved), there is nothing wrong with having a fetish. For many, a fetish forms part of their exciting and mutually rewarding sex life. Just as with other sexual preferences (e.g. body shape or gender), what we find arousing has more to do with discovery than choice. The choice lies in how, or even if, we gratify our desires.
What is a fetishistic disorder?
fetishistic disorder is classified as a paraphilic disorder characterised by having intense sexual arousal from the use of an inanimate item or from focusing on a body part that is not a sexual organ that causes significant distress.
In psychiatry, the fetishistic disorder is defined in the DSM-5 (diagnostic manual) as follows…
DSM-V Diagnostic Criteria of fetishistic disorder 302.81 (F65.0)
A. Over a period of at least 6 months, recurrent and intense sexual arousal from either the use of nonliving objects or a highly specific focus on nongenital body part(s), as manifested by fantasies, urges, or behaviours.
B. The fantasies, sexual urges, or behaviours cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.
C. The fetish objects are not limited to articles of clothing used in cross-dressing (as in transvestic disorder) or devices specifically designed for the puφose of tactile genital stimulation (e.g., vibrator).
Specify:
- Body part(s)
- Nonliving object(s)
- Other
Specify if:
- in a controlled environment: This specifier is primarily applicable to individuals living in institutional or other settings where opportunities to engage in fetishistic behaviors are restricted.
- in full remission: There has been no distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other areas of functioning for at least 5 years while in an uncontrolled environment.
Movies about Fetishistic disorder
If we missed an essential film about fetishistic disorder, please let us know. We would love to include it.
Note: Movies may trigger painful memories and emotions. Please use your judgement and ensure support is available if need be.
Movie Title: American Fetish - Watch now on Prime
Released: 2011
Rated: 5.4
Cast: Matt Jones, Charlie Laine, Matt Bianca
Storyline: When the son of an alleged killer inherits a "blue movie" that may be the key to solving a 50-year-old murder, he finds himself drawn into a forbidden world of fetish.
Movie Title: Fetish
Released: 2022
Rated: 7.3
Cast: Alejandro Estrada, Roberto Palazuelos, Nataly Umaña
Storyline: Anabel, a beautiful young woman who manages to live a normal life, begins to fall into Oskar's sexual games and fetishes.
Movie Title: Love and Leashes
Released: 2022
Rated: 6.3
Cast: Seohyun, Joon-Young Lee
Storyline: Ji Hoo and Ji Woo arrange a contract, that begins a racy romance and the indulgence of Ji Hoo's fetish for slave/master fantasies.
Movie Title: Lars and the Real Girl - Watch now on Prime
Released: 2007
Rated: 7.3
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider
Storyline: A young man named Lars has a fetish ( delusional ) for a lifelike doll. People around him are concerned about his mental health and tries to help by interacting with him.
Movie Title: Make Yourself at Home (Fetish) - Watch now on Prime
Released: 2008
Rated: 4.9
Cast: Hye-Kyo Song, Arno Frisch, Athena Currey
Storyline: A Korean woman who is the daughter of a shaman starts to develop a fetish for her Caucasian couple neighbour.
Movie Title: The Little Death - Watch now on Prime
Released: 2014
Rated: 7.1
Cast: Bojana Novakovic, Josh Lawson, Damon Herriman
Storyline: The lives of five couples telling their fetishes and the consequences that they have to face for sharing them.
Movie Title: Fetishes - Watch now on Prime
Released: 1996
Rated: 6.1
Cast: Mistress Beatrice, Nick Broomfield, Mistress Catherine
Storyline: A documentary filmed at one of New York City's most luxurious fetish parlours. The documentary consists of eight chapters that show different sexual fetishes.
References and Links
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596
What is fetishistic disorder?: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/311789935_Fetishistic_Disorder
More on fetishistic disorder: https://www.msdmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/sexuality,-gender-dysphoria,-and-paraphilias/fetishistic-disorder?redirectid=41
Sexual fetishism according to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexual_fetishism
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
Photo by Victoriano Izquierdo on Unsplash
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
Find a Therapist
Find skilled psychologists, psychiatrists, and counsellors near you.
