Year in Review: Greatest Thirst Traps
Friday, January 1, 2021 at 6:00PM by Team Experience
Beauty is the eye of the beholder and so is sex appeal and cinematic eye candy. So take these rankings as seriously as they were assigned which is to say, barely seriously at all. T'was but a glancing approximation of how many lists each hottie showed up on from our teammates and whether they were high up on said lists. At any rate these faces (and bodies) and born-to-perform stars deserve your wide open appreciative eyes when they're working it onscreen.
We meant to post this last night when the mood was more drunken and festive but it's okay to start a new year off lustily, too! Please to enjoy our choices for the greatest thirst traps of 2020. Which of these stars made you quiver under your bodice or weak at the knees these past twelve months?
20 Henry Golding in MONSOON
There remains plenty of conversation to be had on the subject of straight actors playing gay roles, but I found it particularly difficult to think up any arguments on that front in either direction when there sat the preternaturally breathtaking star of Crazy Rich Asians engaging in scene after scene of fervent nipple play with Grindr pickups.- Jason
19 Taylour Paige in MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM
Few things kill sexiness faster than a lack of humor. Sex should be fun. And Taylour Paige as Dussie Mae is a great reminder of just that with her faux-innocent flirtations and exaggerated femme body language. No wonder Ma got so possessive and handsy. We were as smitten as Levee though we blushed when he started pitching an introduction between 'his red rooster and her brown hen'. Naughty! - Nathaniel
18 Steven Yeun in MINARI
The role of a downtrodden farmer doesn't scream "thirst trap." Fortunately Steven Yeun makes us perpetually thirsty, no matter the role. Under the gaze of director Lee Isaac Chung's camera, Yeun's Jacob looks larger than life. He's a glistening God of hunkiness who expels sweat and tears to make a successful farm. Who doesn't like a man willing to get his hands dirty to create something of value? - Christopher
17 Toby Wallace in BABYTEETH
God bless costume designer Amelia Gebler for dressing Toby Wallace’s Moses - with his tattoos and muscles and shitty haircut - in the shortest fucking basketball shorts that somehow manage to cover everything up and show off everything he's got at the same time, giving him sleeveless or unbuttoned shirts whenever he bothers to wear one. There’s something genuinely uninhibited about Moses, whose labrador energy and easy, inviting grin become the sexiest assets this charismatic crook has in his arsenal, especially against a protagonist and an audience eager to trust him despite some obvious warning signs. - Nick
16 Pedro Pascal in THE MANDALORIAN
The body. The suit. The bedroom voice. The anticipation of him taking the helmet off and knowing what he will look like but still being knocked on your feet by it. This is the way. This is MY way. He and Kylo Ren are the men of Star Wars that truly lock me in to the dark and the light side. - Ginny
15 Hu Ge in WILD GOOSE LAKE
Like most Noir heroes Hu Ge's gangster-on-the-run doesn't have a lot to say, but as with Ryan Gosling in Drive that suits us fine -- we really like watching him not say things. There's a brutal fight scene early on that shows off his impressive action-man skills but the scene that's stuck with me all year is the one where he, stripped to the waist, self-dresses a shoulder wound, wrapping himself in gauze with a few balletic spins. A man that can move like this is a man worth watching. - Jason
14 Oliver Jackson-Cohen in HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR / INVISIBLE MAN
Hypnotizing blue eyes, perfectly chiseled jawline, deliciously imposing physique, that facial hair (or the lack of it), and the right amount of suave. Too bad his beauty is weaponized to forebode the irresistibly sinister nature of his character(s) because he really makes the knees weak. - Juan Carlos
13 Matt Bomer in THE BOYS IN THE BAND
We still haven't forgiven this movie for making us relate to Jim Parson's gay leering -- but that's probably because Parson deployed it so grotesquely in his other 2020 project Hollywood -- because who wouldn't steal glimpses of Bomer in the shower? Especially when the shower is yours and Bomer is just inviting himself in and also being 'so what' about his (considerable) sex appeal. What makes Bomer even sexier in Boys in the Band is the genuine warmth and affection he conveys for friends and ex lovers, something that's otherwise in short supply. - Nathaniel
12 The Men of TENET
Tenet may be tough on the brain but it's damn easy on the eyes, demonstrating that a really well-cut suit can make even a plain man attractive and turn an attractive one into James Bond. Make that two Bonds, one black (John David Washington) and one white (Robert Pattinson), who team up to save the world all the while looking like they just stepped out of a GQ shoot. Somehow they never lose that dashing air no matter how often they get pummeled, knocked out, or inverted. I’ll take both – shaken or stirred - Lynn
11 Carrie Coon in THE NEST
Whether she's trading emotional blows with her exhausting husband (Jude Law), thinking about horses (as girls do), or carrying herself with moneyed aloofness, Coon has never been sexier onscreen. That's especially true when she's werking those 80s fashions and letting her literal hair down to hit the (gay) dance floor. - Nathaniel
10 Anya Taylor-Joy in THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT
The most attractive thing about Beth might not be her beauty but her brains. The frantic energy with which the lanky prodigy prances around indicates a flirtatious nature but it will always come second to the desire to demolish you on the chessboard. - Abe
09 The Men of TRUE HISTORY OF THE KELLY GANG
I'm not sure the movie finds a coherent message within its timely deconstruction of toxic masculinity... and hey maybe there is no coherent message to be had on that subject amid the toxic swill of 2020? But there's charm in its chaos, and nowhere more than in its crotch-forward leering at the hyper-beautiful cast of young actors which director Justin Kurzel gathered up to train his horny lens on -- Charlie Hunnam stripped out of his military uniform, George Mackay's psychotic troupe of silk-slip-rocking revolutionaries, and best of all Nicholas Hoult in nothing but sock garters and a leering smile.- Jason
08 Dev Patel in THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELD
Who’d have thunk, all those years ago when gawky, teenage Dev Patel first appeared on our screen in Skins, that he’d grow up to be the dreamiest boat in all of world cinema. Here’s your new James Bond, producers! Why are you still wasting time imagining otherwise? - Baby Clyde
07 Carey Mulligan in PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN
Mulligan's Cassie is, quite literally, a thirst trap. With short blonde hair and a devilish smile, Cassie's drunken club get-ups resemble that of a costume. That's because "damsel in distress" is a role she's playing, rather than her de facto persona. Contrary to what Variety wrote, Mulligan more than sells the sex appeal and confidence that Cassie has. By being comfortable in her body, she's able to wield it as a weapon against men. - Christopher
06 Johnny Flynn in EMMA.
Continuing the fine tradition of Emma adaptations casting hotties to play Mr. Knightley (who does not read as a hottie in the book), Flynn brings his shaggy indie-rock vibe to one of Austen’s most buttoned-up heroes, and the result is pure SEX. The camera knows it, too – look how it ogles his naked body right from the get-go. Even when he’s fully clothed, his bedroom eyes smoulder above that extra-stiff, extra-high collar—as if that could constrain his hotness, or his barely if virtuously sublimated desire to jump Emma’s bones. - Lynn
05 Jeremy Pope in HOLLYWOOD
I've never empathized as much with Rock Hudson as when watching his fictionalized facsimile fall head over heels for Pope's ambitious screenwriter. Talented, confident as hell, the owner of a killer smile, he's utterly irresistible. Pope also happens to look as good with a sharp tuxedo and a golden Oscar as he does in bed wearing nothing at all.- Cláudio
04 Riz Ahmed in THE SOUND OF METAL
Praised be to director Darius Marder for opening Sound of Metal with Riz in all his shirtless, bulky glory. While Riz Ahmed has always been a dreamboat, it took him playing a muscular musician who cooks and cares for his partner to turn our drooling as we gawk at his beauty into waterfalls. - Matt
03 Aubrey Plaza in THE HAPPIEST SEASON
The knock on Plaza has been that she drips sarcasm in every role, but she smartly sidelines that this time out. Instead she's exuding graceful sex appeal. Her character Riley is so fun in public. Now imagine how fun she is behind closed doors. And (pictured above) that look... - Ben
02 Jonathan Majors in LOVECRAFT COUNTRY / DA 5 BLOODS
I came into this year already nurturing a crush on Majors due to his terrific performance in The Last Black Man in San Francisco, but Lovecraft Country (and to a lesser extent Da 5 Bloods) showed me something that that film did not... and yes I mean his body. Admittedly flashing that ridiculous physique of his would've been out of place in Joe Talbot's masterpiece, but I'm thankful the writers, directors, and most of all the costume designers on HBO's betentacled monster show realized that this, now, was the moment to forward some different gifts of Mr. Major's. Must See TV became Must Gawp on his big, broad, beautiful shoulders. - Jason
01 Paul Mescal in NORMAL PEOPLE
As if the sea-blue eyes, the short shorts, the gleaming smile, and his legendary gold chain aren’t enough, Paul Mescal shows off the biggest turn-on known as consent. Ensuring your partner is safe and comfortable during intercourse, asking if this or that is okay as you go along, is quite the attractive trait. - Matt
Reader Comments (46)
Riz Ahmed, Oliver Jackson-Cohen y Dev Patel.
Yes please to this list.
Great choices, but can someone explain John David Washington to me? He's so bland in Tenet that even the best suits can't help.
No such list could be complete without Rege-Jean Page in "Bridgerton".
No such list could be complete without Jonathan Bailey in Bridgerton.
Lots to love and look forward to on this list. I know the film itself isn't a particularly "sexy" one, but I already have serious crushes on Kingsley Ben-Adir and Aldis Hodge from One Night in Miami. Aldis also provided great eye candy this year in The Invisible Man.
Maybe I'll finally get the Paul Mescal hype after catching up with Normal People.
@Pawel - I go back on forth n JDW. At times he seems almost devoid of humor/charisma, but then he'll deliver a line with such slyness that it takes me by surprise. I recently watched Tenet and liked it way more than everyone else seems to, so I guess I'm in the minority when it comes to him and the film.
Almost forgot the ensemble from Sylvie's Love. Tessa Thompson and Nnamdi Asomugha are the stars, but that supporting cast is just as gorgeous: Regé-Jean Page, Aja Naomi King, Ryan Michelle Bathe, Alano Miller, and even the director Eugene Ashe.
I would like to be in the middle of your bookends (Golding/Mescal) please very please.
But where oh where is Nicholas Hoult from THE GREAT? I guess he's covered with KELLY GANG, but I feel like his Peter on that show should be footnote or something.
Also, his movie is probably the worst of 2020, but you cannot deny the sexiness of Michele Morrone (from 365 DAYS).
Minor shout out to Brandon Larracuente who starred in the one-season wonder of the new PARTY OF FIVE which premiered and got canceled pre-COVID.
And finally, this aired in US theaters pre-COVID so I'm counting it but James McAvoy in his National Theatre Live performance of CYRANO DE BERGERAC is HOT. He was just so... burly. Plus there was an amazing moment where he was giving this sensual monologue and the movie theater audience was completely enraptured. You could hear a pin drop. And then when he finished, there was an audible satisfied SIGH that washed over everyone. It's my favorite movie theater moment of 2020 (as few as there sadly was this year).
Too many crackers.
I honestly don't understand the issue about: gay actors "should" play gay roles
I mean...how many times gay actors (open or closeted) have been played straight roles?
I could add to the list Tenoch Huerta in Fuego Negro, the film is terrible but he is SO fine.
If gay men aren't allowed to play gay men in film, then how in the hell will they ever be allowed to play straight roles on film? Parity, Jesus. Come on now.
And to answer your question: Andrew Scott as HOT PRIEST in "Fleabag."
I do not get John David Washington as thirst trap. Is this just residual lust for the way hotter father?
Riz Ahmed's incredible beauty and sex appeal may well be issues for the mostly male straight Academy members who have long held a bias against young sexy men, regardless of the excellence of the performance. Riz even gave Jake some competition in Nightcrawler!
Oliver Jackson-Cohen's handsome face and sexy hairy body is truly amazing to behold.
YES to Carrie Coon and Aubrey Plaza - brilliant actresses whose potential to seriously smoulder is usually underrated.
The ageism of this list.
Leon Dai in Your Name Engraved Herein was definitely pushing my buttons!
Where can I watch MONSOON?
Tenet is Pattinson at his hottest.
@Rama — last I checked Monsoon was on Laemmle virtual cinema
Riz Ahmed and Toby Wallace
I am going to vindicate the bears of 2020... the always gorgeous Olafur Darri Ólafsson in "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga" (but also the short roles/cameos of Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson and Hanes Oli Agutsson), Richard Butler in "Greenland", Colman Domingo in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" and John David Washington in Tenet...
Why do I want to move to Iceland, of all the sudden?
Definitely add Aldis Hodge in Invisible Man to this list.
Where are the MEN!
lol, I renamed Gerard Butler as Richard. I'm getting old.
I agree with Henry Golding in Monsoon (a film no one I know liked, and I could have watched it for hours and hours more), and especially the shout out to Rege-John Page, who is one of the most beautiful actors I have ever had the pleasure of ogling.
Every time I see Jonathan Majors in LOVECRAFT COUNTRY, I say to myself "what's he doing out of the gym? You can't look like that and hold down a job, unless that job is gym trainer or Hollywood star told to bulk up for a project."
I kind of love the utterly gratuitous Matt Bomer nudity in BOYS IN THE BAND. It's like Ryan Murphy said to himself, gay guys have had to watch a million scenes of gratuitous female nudity over the years--here's some equal time.
Finally, I like white guys as much as anyone, but I'm going to call it a tie between Dev Patel and Riz Ahmed, with Henry Goulding coming in third. Watching SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE I had no idea Patel would wind up so yummy. I've had my eye on Ahmed since NIGHTCRAWLER. I'm glad his star keeps rising.
Honorable mention for Chris Messina in Birds of Prey?
When I say Men I meant James McCardle who had the best onscreen male nudity this year.
re Teppo2
Yes! I almost forgot. I thought Chris Messina and Ewan McGregor were super hot, giving us campy evil gay realness in Birds of Prey
working stiff & gian -- nobody saw BRIDGERTON before voting alas, because everyone sent in their lists just before Christmas. I didn't even know Jonathan Bailey (who i love/ lust) was in it until two days ago but now I will be forced to watch even though i had no interest prior.
Rowena -- a better tactic would be to forward some older options that were smoldering this year since we agree with the claim that media coverage is often ageist and often try to lean against it (which is why we do so much retrospective stuff to honor film stars from every decade. Would be happy to hear some options of which over 50s were smoldering onscreen this year since you're right that the list is focused almost exactly on how Hollywood generally plays it (i.e. they give plentiful opportunities to actors and actresses from the mid 20s to early 40s but outside of those age ranges there are far fewer good roles) Maybe we missed some good examples and if so we'd love to catch up with them.
mark -- if this was a list of best nude scenes i would totally have voted for him ;)
@Rowena. What Nathaniel said: I love hot older guys and would have thrown myself at a 60+ year old Burt Lancaster in a second. Who from last year would fit that bill? Be constructive. It's all too easy to criticize without offering something as a corrective.
Re: ageism
If you wanted to push up the average age slightly, how about these?
Westworld: Thandie Newton, Rodrigo Santoro
Stateless: Cate Blanchett, Dominic West
The Prom: Keegan-Michael Key
Sex Education: Gillian Anderson, Mikael Persbrandt
The New Pope: Jude Law
Re: Jonathan Bailey/Bridgerton
Nathaniel, start watching it for Jonny and you'll stick around for Regé et al. Also, who knew that Regency England would be an almost better fit for Shondaland than contemporary USA?
I'm into women.
Rowena - So.. any suggestion of the female variety? I thought of two! Gong Li who was probably the best part of MULAN. And of course there's perpetual kick-asser Ming-Na Wen probably the second best part of the live-action MULAN (and was great in AGENTS OF SHIELD which was the only Marvel thing released this year).
Still no suggestions from Rowena, male or female. I'm into men so I'll add, if TV is okay, "Mrs. America's" John Slatterly (58) and Jon Jon Briones (55) from "Ratched". If I were into women, I'd probably go for Sharon Stone (62), also from "Ratched," and Michelle Pfeiffer (62) "French Exit."
Mikko -- ooh Pfeiffer. i still have trouble viewing that as 2020 since it only played one festival.
Toby Wallace is #1 for me. You know Moses is trouble, but you'd do anything for him anyway because he's so primitively hot.
(Great actor too-- can't wait to see what he does next!)
Well, I'll second whoever mentioned Colman Domingo. He's hot for any age, but if we're strictly talking actors over 50 he'd definitely make my list any year. Also, Marisa Tomei in The King of Staten Island. The role may be a little dowdier than we're used to from her, but she was still luminous in the film.
@Nathaniel I haven't actually seen French Exit myself, but I've seen stills and just assumed it was a 2020 film that hadn't made it to my streaming services yet.
Oliver Jackson Cohen should be a big movie star.
Aussies with Ned Kelly tattoos are the equivalent of USA rednecks with big confederate flag tattoos. The film was a big middle finger to ignorant c*nts and their precious hero.
Thanks, Matt, for your mention of Riz Ahmed. I am a huge fan, and one of the things I love about him the most is that I just know if I told him what a man-crush I have on him, he would understand. I particularly liked him in The Night Of - a great gem which didn't get much attention.
And kudos to Nathaniel for mentioning Matt Bomer. I feel practically alone in loving Boys in the Band, and Bomer certainly balanced off the more flagrantly dramatic gay characters, like Jim Parsons (who was excellent).
I wouldn't exactly call Riz Ahmed hulking, but goddamn he was so sexy in Sound of Metal. But, yes, number one had to go to Paul. I wanted to watch him bawl his eyes out over and over again. Preferably naked. But also because he looks just like a normal lad you see all the time.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen is the love child of Ryan Gosling and Jake Gyllenhaal, right? I mean, it's almost uncanny.