Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- intimate
- candid
- provocative
- adult movie night
- indian cinema exploration
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the anthology’s candid, contemporary portrayal of women and female sexuality, while recognizing its challenge to restrictive Indian social norms.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Four short films by different directors examine love, sex, and relationships through separate female-centered narratives.
The stories center women’s liberation, thoughts, decisions, and active sexual lives, including Megha’s frank masturbation scene.
The anthology confronts Indian morality policing and regressive stereotypes surrounding women with active sex lives.
Critics specifically praised the clinical handling and subtlety of female sexuality instead of sensational treatment.
Films like Lust Stories, and why
The Vertical Ray of the Sun
Like Lust Stories, this anthology uses interwoven relationship stories to examine intimacy, social expectations, and emotional contradiction.
Short Cuts
Shares an ensemble anthology structure, frank treatment of sexuality, and interest in how private desire collides with social convention.
The Hours
Comparable for its female-centered relationship drama, candid sexual politics, and critique of restrictive social norms.
Movie Details
- Directors
- Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar
- Release Date
- 2018-06-15
- Runtime
- 120 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (146)
Cast
- Kiara Advani
- Radhika Apte
- Akash Thosar
- Randeep Jha
- Bhumi Pednekar
- Neil Bhoopalam
- Jaideep Ahlawat
- Manisha Koirala
- Sanjay Kapoor
- Vicky Kaushal
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Lust Stories about?
- Four sharply observed relationship stories place women’s desire, frustration, and sexual agency at the center of modern Indian life.
- What is Lust Stories like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Lust Stories as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Lust Stories violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Lust Stories.
- What did critics think of Lust Stories?
- Critics broadly praised the anthology’s candid, contemporary portrayal of women and female sexuality, while recognizing its challenge to restrictive Indian social norms.
- Which films are like Lust Stories?
- Films with a similar feel include The Vertical Ray of the Sun, Short Cuts, and The Hours.
- How long is Lust Stories?
- Lust Stories runs 120 minutes.
- Where can I watch Lust Stories?
- In United States, Lust Stories streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.
