Taboo I-ii-iii-iv -1979-1985-

The sequel shifts focus to Paul’s friend, Greg (Kevin James), who carries the secret of what he witnessed between Barbara and Paul. The film introduces Sherry (Dorothy LeMay), Greg’s sister, and their father. Without spoiling the tangled tree, Taboo II expands the concept into a web of repressed secrets. The famous “confession booth” scene — where a priest hears a taboo confession — became an iconic set piece. The production value increased, but critics noted the plot was thinner, relying more on the shock value of the original’s premise.

Before 1979, the adult film genre was dominated by "porno chic" titles like Deep Throat (1972) and The Opening of Misty Beethoven (1976). These films relied on humor, urban alienation, or fairy-tale structures. Taboo (1979) did the opposite. It traded comedy for melodrama and fantasy for raw, uncomfortable psychodrama. Taboo I-II-III-IV -1979-1985-

Helene Terrie takes over sole directing duties (she had co-written and co-produced previous entries). The result is a film that feels like a soap opera rather than a psychodrama. The grainy, intimate feel of the 1979 original is replaced by bright, flat lighting and excessive hairspray. The sequel shifts focus to Paul’s friend, Greg

The plot follows the children of the original children. Ginger Lynn, a rising star of the 80s, plays the "new Barbara." The cycle of abuse and secrecy continues, but this time, there is a cynical twist: the characters acknowledge that they are performing a "family tradition." The famous “confession booth” scene — where a

While often dated to the 1979-1980 transition period, the release of the original Taboo changed the landscape. Directed by Kirdy Stevens, it introduced us to Barbara Scott (Kay Parker), a lonely widow who finds herself in a sexual relationship with her own son, Paul (Mike Ranger).

What made Taboo I work wasn't just the shocking premise. It was the performance of Kay Parker. She didn't play the role as a predator; she played it as a lonely, confused woman succumbing to urges she knew were wrong. She brought a vulnerability to the screen that was rare. The film framed the narrative around guilt and desire, making the eroticism feel heavier and more "dangerous."

It remains one of the best-selling adult films of all time, and for good reason: it had a narrative arc that paid off, technical competence, and an iconic soundtrack that fans can still hum today.