Often regarded as the "classic" of the genre. It focuses on Barbara Scott (Kay Parker) and her growing attraction to her son. Reviews highlight Kay Parker's
The story shifts focus away from Paul to Sherry (Dorothy LeMay) and her family, the McBrides. Sherry’s brother, Junior (Kevin James), becomes fascinated by his mother, Joyce (Honey Wilder), and his sister. The film expertly juggles multiple incestuous relationships: brother-sister, mother-son, and father-daughter. One reviewer humorously noted the sequel’s shift in tone, describing it as “slapstick” rather than dramatic, writing that it was “determined to screw their brains out with one another”.
The adult film series represents the absolute pinnacle of the "Golden Age of Porn", a transformative era when adult cinema featured complex narrative scripts, high production values, and mainstream theatrical releases. Directed by Kirdy Stevens and largely masterminded by writer/producer Helene Terrie, the first four installments of the Taboo series shattered industry conventions. By explicitly addressing forbidden domestic desires—most notably mother-son and father-daughter incest—the franchise did not merely capitalize on shock value; it fundamentally altered how the adult entertainment industry approached psychological drama, storytelling, and mainstream crossover appeal. The Historical Context: The Golden Age of Porn Taboo I-II-III-IV -1979-1985-
: As the two women bond over their shared, hidden pasts, they begin to plan the next stages of their lives. The film serves as an introspection on aging, secrets, and finding solidarity in shared trauma and societal exile. Taboo IV: The Younger Generation (1985)
(1984) is the Godfather Part III of adult cinema: ambitious, bloated, but necessary for closure. By this point, the franchise had outgrown its "film" status and become a cultural touchstone in the video rental era. Often regarded as the "classic" of the genre
By 1985, the adult film industry was rapidly evolving, and the Taboo franchise adapted with it. Taboo IV: The Younger Generation shifted focus away from Barbara Scott as the primary protagonist, moving the narrative forward. Kay Parker and Mike Ranger appear only in brief flashbacks, serving as a bridge between the old and the new.
🎥 Retro Spotlight: The Taboo Series (1979–1985). The adult film series represents the absolute pinnacle
To understand the cultural impact of Taboo , one must look at the cinematic landscape of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Following the massive mainstream success of films like Deep Throat (1972) and Behind the Green Door (1972), adult cinema was briefly treated with artistic seriousness. Movies were shot on 35mm film, featured orchestral scores, and were reviewed by mainstream critics.
The core golden era of the franchise is defined by its first four installments:
While dated, the first four entries are relatively well-regarded by cult film enthusiasts for attempting to maintain a consistent, albeit "horny," family drama. Letterboxd For detailed user reviews and trivia, you can check the Taboo II IMDb page Taboo III Letterboxd community spin-offs? 'Taboo II' review by RogerRabid - Letterboxd
This film is easily the finest adult film of all time. Even forgetting about the somewhat controversial theme, the scenes are HOT.