Notable Incestuous Moments in TV and Film: Featuring The White Lotus, Monsters, and Beyond
Over the years, TV shows and movies have challenged societal norms by depicting incestuous relationships on screen.
The White Lotus serves as a contemporary example, where Patrick Schwarzenegger’s Saxon and Sam Nivola’s Lochlan share an inappropriate kiss that blurs the lines of brotherly love. HBO’s flagship series is well-known for its shocking narratives that provoke discussions about broader societal issues.
“As a group, we endeavored to establish that unique dynamic. The closeness and the oddities that may seem bizarre but were perceived as normal in the older brother-younger brother relationship,” Schwarzenegger explained to RadioTimes in March 2025. “Saxon genuinely cares for his brother and sister. Their relationship is unconventional, reflecting [creator] Mike White’s vision, yet remains deeply affectionate.”
Prior to The White Lotus, Netflix’s Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story stirred controversy with its sexualized portrayal of the real-life siblings. Released in late 2024, the series drew viewer outrage over its sensationalized depiction of convicted murderers Lyle and Erik Menéndez as romantic partners.
Erik later criticized the series for its interpretation of their story.
“I believed we had progressed past the damaging and false portrayals of Lyle, reducing him to a caricature filled with blatant inaccuracies in the show,” Erik stated on Lyle’s Facebook page in September 2024. “Such fabrications seem too deliberate to be an oversight. With a heavy heart, I cannot assume that Ryan Murphy is uninformed or misleading about our lives without ill intent.”
Continue reading for more examples of TV shows and films that have tackled incestuous themes:
‘Bates Motel’
Over five seasons, A&E’s Bates Motel delved into the backstory of Psycho’s Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore). The complicated bond between him and his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), teetered on the edge of romance, leaving viewers unsettled. By the series conclusion, Norma recognized how dangerous Norman’s attachment was, but it was ultimately too late.
‘House of the Dragon’
In Game of Thrones, the incestuous affair between Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) and his sister, Cersei (Lena Headey), set the groundwork for House of the Dragon. This series successfully garnered sympathy for the relationship between an uncle, Daemon (Matt Smith), and his niece, Rhaenyra (Emma D’Arcy), whose chemistry evolved over time until their eventual reunion as adults.
‘A Simple Favor’
The 2018 film made notable alterations from Darcey Bell’s novel, including Stephanie (Anna Kendrick) confessing to a teenage affair with her half-brother, Chris (Dustin Milligan), at their father’s funeral. Blake Lively’s Emily is sure not to let anyone forget it.
‘Another Simple Favor’
The sequel, released in May 2025, reveals that Charity (Lively), a triplet supposedly killed at birth alongside Emily and her sister Faith (also played by Lively), is alive but unstable. Charity has been compelled to aid her con-artist aunt, Linda (Allison Janney), in criminal activities throughout her life, under the delusion that she loves Emily. In a dramatic twist, she drugs and assaults her sister. The campy film showcases Stephanie excitedly relishing in revealing this traumatic event to Emily, exclaiming, “Sister f***er!”
‘Monsters’
Ryan Murphy is skilled at crafting narratives that ignite discussion. However, Monsters became a cultural phenomenon, largely due to the controversy surrounding scenes between Lyle Menéndez (Nicholas Alexander Chavez) and brother Erik Menéndez (Cooper Koch).
In the series’ pilot episode, released in 2024, a drug-induced Lyle shares a kiss with Erik. The show later includes a scene where the brothers shower together. (Historically, Erik and Lyle have denied any romantic or sexual relationship; Lyle specifically testified during his 1994 murder trial that he did not engage in sexual activities with his brother.)
‘The White Lotus’
Season 3 set an unsettling tone when Saxon inquired about Lochlan’s porn preferences. Things escalated as Lochlan watched Saxon in the nude, leading Saxon to take it upon himself to help his younger brother lose his virginity. The good news? The White Lotus still has the potential to further explore these boundaries.
‘Sons of Anarchy’
In the third season of the popular FX series, Jax (Charlie Hunnam) came dangerously close to sleeping with Trinity (Zoe Boyle) before discovering she is his half-sister. Sons of Anarchy narrowly sidestepped an incestuous story arc, but it remains a point of discussion.
‘Degrassi’
Holly J. (Charlotte Arnold) wasn’t the only character bewildered by the infamous ‘twincest’ kiss. Fiona (Annie Clark) shocked viewers when she kissed her brother, Declan (Landon Liboiron). The storyline left many questioning whether there were plans to further explore this close sibling relationship.
‘New Girl’
Sometimes, the simplest way to derail a potential romance on a TV show is to reveal the characters are cousins. This was the fate of Jess (Zooey Deschanel) and Robby (Nelson Franklin), whose relationship was doomed from the start, especially with Nick (Jake Johnson) around.
‘Flowers in the Attic’
Based on V.C. Andrews’ novels, including Flowers in the Attic, If There Be Thorns, and Seeds of Yesterday, the series delved into themes of forbidden love that spanned generations within a single family, highlighted by siblings Cathy and Christopher as portrayed by Kiernan Shipka and Mason Dye, respectively.
‘Passions’
While Whitney (Brook Kerr) and Chad (Donn Swaby and Charles Divins) may not be blood relatives, the complex dynamics on the soap opera deserve mention. Whitney’s moral dilemmas regarding her love for her half-brother, with whom she shares a child, even led her to temporarily become a nun. Quite the memorable storyline.
