Taboo was a smash hit on the 35mm theatrical circuit and home video. It grossed millions (an astronomical sum for an adult film in 1980) but was condemned by feminists for “romanticizing incest” and by conservatives for moral decay. Nevertheless, it won multiple AFAA (Adult Film Association of America) awards, including Best Actress for Parker.
During the late 1980s and 1990s, American adult production houses shifted away from fantasy environments. Instead, they adopted a style heavily influenced by mainstream American soap operas and indie dramas. This "American Style" featured: Suburbia backdrops Complex interpersonal relationship dynamics Melodramatic plot twists High-production value aesthetics The Fragmented Search Phenomenon Taboo 1 2 3 4 5 6-I II III IV V VI- american st...
The most recent and perhaps most famous incarnation for mainstream audiences is the 2017 BBC/FX series , starring and co-created by Tom Hardy. This is a completely separate entity from the previous series, but its name and success have cemented the word "Taboo" in modern pop culture. The show is a dark, gritty period drama set in 1814 London. It follows the terrifying and mysterious adventurer James Keziah Delaney (Hardy), who returns from a decade in Africa to claim his late father's shipping empire, putting him in direct conflict with the all-powerful East India Company and the British Crown. Produced by the legendary Ridley Scott and written by Steven Knight ( Peaky Blinders ), the series is known for its brutal violence, gothic atmosphere, and Hardy's powerhouse performance. The show's first season of eight episodes aired in 2017, and while a second season has been long-awaited, it has yet to materialize, despite remaining in development. Taboo was a smash hit on the 35mm
The initial films, particularly Taboo II (1982) and Taboo III (1984), established the series' reputation. They were known for high production values for the time, a focus on intense, taboo-breaking scenarios, and a distinct aesthetic that felt more cinematic than its contemporaries [1]. During the late 1980s and 1990s, American adult
By the time Taboo II was released, different distributors had adopted different numbering systems. Some catalogs listed it as Taboo 2 , while boutique labels preferred Taboo II . This duality would continue for all six films, causing collector confusion for decades. For clarity:
film series (released primarily in 1985), which consists of multiple parts often numbered 1 through 6 or I through VI.
The series is primarily known for its early entries that focused on incestuous themes, specifically mother-son and father-daughter relationships. Over time, the series expanded to over 20 installments, eventually covering other topics like LGBTQ+ relationships, BDSM, and interracial themes. Key Early Installments (I–VI)