Drama Cult Classic

A tangle of desire, therapy, and shifting allegiances in 1960s suburban bedrooms.

THE WALL OF FLESH

Nature's way of saying... "Love me any way you like... but love me"

1968 · 1h 28m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

Anthropologist Laurie suggests her frigid friend Vera get sex therapy which opens up the floodgates when multiple women (including the anthropologist's sister and a sex therapist) find themselves drawn to the husband.

▶ Watch Now Sign In for Trailer My List

Quick Answer

What is The Wall of Flesh about?

The Wall of Flesh is a 1968 American drama directed by Joseph W. Sarno about a struggling writer, his sexually frustrated wife, and the complex relationships that form when group therapy and sexual longing collide.

Programmer's Pick

Joseph W. Sarno turns suburbia’s emotional chill into a sweaty drama of frustrated spouses, therapy sessions, and boundary-testing alliances. A film where the path to self-discovery is paved with tangled sheets and good intentions gone sideways.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

In The Wall of Flesh, Vera is a working woman who controls her marriage by withholding intimacy from her husband Art, a writer living off her earnings. While Vera devotes her energies to her job, Art seeks comfort with two sisters, Nan and Lauri. Lauri, sensing the chemistry between Art and her own sister, tries to intervene by persuading Vera to attend group therapy led by Jennifer, an old friend who is now a therapist. The group's sessions stir new emotional and physical currents, blurring boundaries and complicating loyalties among everyone involved. Sexuality, independence, and vulnerability collide in a candid, adult drama that probes shifting desires and the complexities of mid-century relationships.

Details & Specs

Director: Joseph W. Sarno
Writer: Joseph W. Sarno
Release: 1968
Runtime: 1h 28m
Country: United States of America
Genres: Drama

Cast & Crew

View all →

Director: Joseph W. Sarno Writer: Joseph W. Sarno

Marianne Prevost Lauri Horner

Maria Lease Vera Coleman DM Dan Machuen Art Coleman CW Cherie Winters Jennifer Taggart NF Nina Forster Nan Horner

Janet Banzet Miss Walls

Geri Miller Miss Leffert

Irene DeBari Miss Kidd

Alex Mann Therapy Session Man

Explore More

Independent Film Female Nudity Female Rear Nudity Sex Erotica Lesbianism Sex Therapy

Why Cult

Sixties Sex Therapy

The film explores group therapy as both a backdrop and catalyst for shifting sexual and emotional relationships.

Ambiguous Desires

Characters navigate complex attractions, including suppressed longing and same-sex interest, within a knot of relationships.

Sarno Signature Style

Director Joseph W. Sarno blends psychological drama with erotica, steering clear of easy answers and moralizing.

Independent Erotica

As an American independent film, it delivers candid explorations of sexuality rarely seen in mainstream cinema of its era.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

Who directed The Wall of Flesh? +

The Wall of Flesh was directed by Joseph W. Sarno.

How long is The Wall of Flesh? +

The Wall of Flesh has a runtime of 88 minutes.

What genre is The Wall of Flesh? +

The Wall of Flesh is a drama.

Where can I watch The Wall of Flesh? +

The Wall of Flesh is available to stream on SassyFlix.

What role does group therapy play in The Wall of Flesh? +

Group therapy functions as a turning point, providing space for Vera to confront her own desires and altering the dynamics between all the main characters.