Imdb | Taboo 1980
It seems you're looking for movies with the keyword "taboo" from around 1980 on IMDb.
The most direct result is:
"Taboo" (1980) – Directed by Kirdy Stevens, starring Kay Parker.
Note: This is a notorious adult film from the Golden Age of Porn. It centers on a mother-son relationship and is considered a classic in its genre. IMDb lists it as "Taboo (1980)" with a separate "Adult" category.
If you meant non-adult films with "taboo" themes from 1980 (e.g., incest, controversial subjects), here are notable titles IMDb suggests:
"The Blue Lagoon" (1980) – Taboo theme: teenage cousins stranded on an island, exploring sexuality.
"American Gigolo" (1980) – Taboo theme: male prostitution, social outcast.
"Cruising" (1980) – Taboo theme: sadomasochistic gay subculture, violent crimes.
"Fame" (1980) – Mildly taboo for its era: teen sexuality, drug use, strong language. imdb taboo 1980
Would you like the full plot summary or cast of the 1980 film Taboo , or help filtering out adult content?
Uncovering a Cinematic Enigma: A Deep Dive into "IMDb Taboo 1980"
If you have ever typed the phrase "IMDb Taboo 1980" into a search engine, you have likely stumbled down one of the most fascinating rabbit holes in cult film history. On the surface, it seems like a simple request: find the IMDb page for a 1980 film titled Taboo .
However, the search query "IMDb Taboo 1980" is surprisingly loaded. It represents the intersection of the birth of the modern adult film era, the dawn of home video, and the strict content policies of the world’s largest movie database.
For collectors, film historians, and curious cinephiles, this keyword is a gateway to a controversial, genre-defining movie that changed the rules of independent cinema. This article will explore exactly what Taboo (1980) is, why its IMDb page is so unique, and why the film remains a pivotal, albeit shadowy, landmark in 1980s cinema.
What is Taboo (1980)? The Film That Broke the Mold
To understand the search for "IMDb Taboo 1980," one must first understand the film itself. Directed by the legendary Kirdy Stevens (born Jerry Ross), Taboo was released in 1980 during the "Golden Age of Porn"—a brief period when adult films had legitimate theatrical releases, critical reviews (think Deep Throat and The Devil in Miss Jones ), and mainstream crossover.
But Taboo was different. It wasn't just a sex comedy or a disco-era romp. It was a raw, dramatic family tragedy built around one of the most transgressive subjects possible: a sexual relationship between a mother and her adult son.
The Plot
The film stars Kay Parker as Barbara Scott, a lonely, recently divorced middle-aged woman. Her husband has left her for a younger woman, leaving her feeling undesirable and invisible. Meanwhile, her son, Paul (played by Mike Ranger), is a young adult struggling with his own romantic frustrations. After a series of emotional confrontations and a shared sense of abandonment, the mother and son cross a cultural and biological line.
Unlike modern shock cinema, Taboo played the scenario entirely straight. It treated the characters with empathy, framing their actions not as titillation but as a desperate search for intimacy in a broken home. The film’s tagline, "The love they wanted most to hide," suggests a melodrama rather than an exploitation flick.
Kay Parker: The Iconic "MILF" Pioneer
No discussion of Taboo is complete without Kay Parker. A British-born actress with a regal, elegant bearing, Parker brought a tragic dignity to Barbara. Prior to Taboo , adult film mothers were usually cartoonish or predatory. Parker made Barbara vulnerable. Her performance is the primary reason the film has endured.
In fact, Taboo is widely credited (or blamed) for creating the "MILF" genre in adult entertainment. While the term wouldn't be coined for another 15 years, the archetype was born here: the attractive, mature, sexually deprived mother figure.
Why the "IMDb Taboo 1980" Search is Complicated
Now, let’s address the specific keyword. You want the IMDb listing for Taboo from 1980 . Why is this difficult?
1. Multiple Films with the Same Name
The word "Taboo" is not unique. A search on IMDb returns dozens of titles:
Taboo (1999) – A Japanese film by Nagisa Oshima.
Taboo (2002) – A horror film.
Taboo (2010s) – Various short films.
Taboo: The Soul Is a Stranger on Earth (1980s art films). It seems you're looking for movies with the
However, the specific Taboo you are looking for (Kirdy Stevens, 1980) is listed on IMDb, but it is often buried in search results due to the adult content filter.
2. IMDb’s "Adult" Filter (The Main Hurdle)
By default, IMDb has a family-friendly setting. If you are not logged into an account that has explicitly disabled the "Adult Content" filter, IMDb will hide the page for Taboo (1980) entirely.
If you type "IMDb Taboo 1980" into Google while logged out of IMDb, you might see a broken link or a "Page Not Found" error. This is because IMDb’s robots.txt and search algorithms prevent unregistered users from easily accessing titles rated "X" or "Adult."
To actually find the page:
Go to IMDb.com.
Go to your Account Settings.
Find "Content Preferences."
Check the box that says "Show Adult Content."
Search for "Taboo 1980."
Once you do this, you will find the entry: tt0081594 .
3. The "Sanitized" Entry
Even when you find the page for Taboo (1980), you will notice something odd compared to a normal movie page. There are no photos from the film. The cast list is complete (Kay Parker, Dorothy LeMay, Mike Ranger), but the "Parents Guide" is exceptionally vague, and there are no user-submitted images. This is a deliberate curation by IMDb to avoid hosting explicit imagery on their servers.
The Legacy of Taboo on IMDb
As of 2025, Taboo (1980) holds a surprisingly respectable user rating for an adult film—often hovering between 5.5 and 6.5 out of 10. For context, that is higher than many mainstream comedies. User reviews on the site consistently praise the "story," "acting," and "direction," rather than the adult content.
User Review Highlights (paraphrased from IMDb): It centers on a mother-son relationship and is
"Kay Parker gives a performance that deserved a real acting award. You feel her loneliness."
"If you strip away the explicit scenes, this is a legitimate Greek tragedy about hidden desire."
"The script is raw in a way that mainstream Hollywood would never dare."
The Sequel Phenomenon
Because the 1980 original was so profitable (made for roughly $100,000, it grossed millions on the 1980s home video circuit), it spawned a massive franchise. If you search "IMDb Taboo 1980" and then look at the "Related" section, you will find: