Film & TV3 min(s) read
Published 11:08 22 Apr 2026 GMT
Kill Bill star, Uma Thurman, has opened up about filming one of her most controversial movies and sent a warning to anyone planning to watch it.
Nymphomaniac, released in 2013, featured many Hollywood stars such as Stellan Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, Mia Goth, and Shia LaBeouf, who had to film pretty shocking sex scenes.
The 18-rated movie directed by Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier is remembered for its “severe” explicit scenes.
While the A-listers may not have been filming the most graphic parts themselves, Nymphomanic features many graphic penetrative sex scenes, making it quite intense viewing.
The first half of the movie follows the sexual history of a young woman from birth until she reaches 18, and the second half is set in the years after, documenting her “rebellion against love”.
Von Trier, known for his provocative filmmaking, really pushed the boundaries with Nymphomaniac, leaving nothing left to the imagination in the final edit.
LaBeouf confessed at the time of filming: “anything illegal will be shot in blurred images, but other than that, everything is happening”
He also noted that there was even a disclaimer written on the scripts warning actors of the reality of the sex scenes.
However, despite shooting rather steamy scenes, the actors were edited out of the actual intercourse as body doubles were used to digitally impose over the celebs.
One of the movie's producers, Louise Vesth, explained to The Hollywood Reporter at the time that, “Above the waist it will be the star and then below the waist it will be the doubles.”
While LaBeouf admitted he was ‘terrified’ of shooting due to them “doing [the sex] for real”, Thurman issued a warning to viewers.
Speaking to Film at Lincoln Center in 2014, the Pulp Fiction protagonist advised people of a certain political persuasion to perhaps avoid the movie.
She said: “Somebody asked me if I thought the far-right conservatives would be outraged by this movie…
“I just said, 'If there was an outrage that Bert and Ernie were living together on Sesame Street, then this should really be a no-go. Anyone upset about Ernie and Bert living together as roommates - just don't go see this movie.”
The actress claimed, “I think this film will be very long-lasting. I think there will be many papers written about it, and it will be discussed for a long time to come.”
When asked why she chose to be a part of Von Trier’s contentious project Thurman said, “It’s really out of love for him and support for him as an artist that I would be like, ‘Oh, God, okay, we’ll try it.’”
