Experience the Heat: 10 Unpleasantly Hot and Sweaty Movies

      Wipe the sweat from your forehead and wring out your drenched shirt with these ten uncomfortably hot and sweaty films…

      I'm currently typing during a rare heatwave in the UK. We are a country more familiar with experiencing four seasons in a single day, usually preparing for the cold with heating systems and carpets rather than preparing for warmer weather. Air conditioning? What’s that? A visit from your old pal, Betty Swallocks, isn’t ideal, but spending time in your local pub garden with a pint and some shade is quite enjoyable.

      In cinema, you can elicit fear from an audience, provoke anger (especially with anything considered ‘woke’), induce laughter, or evoke tears. You can also aim to create a physical sense of discomfort. Films portraying extreme cold may leave viewers with an imperceptible chill.

      Alternatively, you can place your characters in extreme heat. Some films won’t confine this to just one or two scenes. Instead, they’ll immerse the audience in sweltering heatwaves or unbearably hot environments that evoke clammy hands and beads of sweat that seem to trickle into your eyes. Here are 10 of the hottest and sweatiest films ever made…

      **The Surfer**

      The Nicolas Cage renaissance shows no signs of slowing down. Following the re-energization of the Cage formula with *Mandy*, and with his finances appearing more stable than during those dark years of direct-to-video projects where he accepted every role, Cage has become more selective.

      One of his latest carefully chosen treasures is *The Surfer*, a quirky, surreal Australian film that features David Lynch-like elements and evokes feelings akin to *Wake in Fright*.

      The film is steeped in discomfort and intensity. Cage’s character longs to surf but descends into madness, driven by a local cult of surfers led by a guru reminiscent of Andrew Tate (deliciously portrayed by the late Julian McMahon). The overwhelming sense of dry, disorienting heat amplifies the film's intensity. I found myself gulping water throughout and after this punishing yet rewarding experience. Cage delivers a stellar performance as well.

      **Wake in Fright**

      Speaking of *Wake in Fright*, the late Ted Kotcheff’s atmospheric Australian thriller is an excellent example of a film that immerses you in its setting, even if ‘the Yaba’ seems like a sticky and miserable place to be.

      John (Gary Bond) is a teacher on leave who finds himself stranded in a forgotten, remote town en route to Sydney. Defined by dust, grit, and relentless heat, the locals cool off by consuming copious amounts of beer. He gets drawn into their lifestyle, accumulating debts and becoming ensnared. He’s coerced into (terrifying) kangaroo hunts, drinking marathons, and unspeakable blackout escapades with Donald Pleasance (who is exceptional).

      **A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge**

      This controversial sequel may have strayed too far from Wes Craven’s original formula for some viewers. However, over time, it has earned a reputation as a vital part of Queer horror cinema, with debates over whether it embraces or contradicts Queerness. The film, which has gained popularity over the years, also delivers a deeper psychological horror than its predecessors, presenting Krueger as a manifestation of something entirely different. He boasts one of the most striking appearances in the franchise, often appearing ghastly and goblin-like.

      Yet, the most striking aspect of this sequel is its intensely fiery ambiance. The film is consistently hot and suffocating, taking place entirely during a heatwave and placing its protagonist Jesse (Mark Patton) in blistering boiler rooms, humid gay bars, and steamy showers. You’ll definitely need a sweat rag and an ice-cold drink to endure this one.

      **Dog Day Afternoon**

      Sidney Lumet’s masterpiece, loosely based on a real-life bank robbery that went awry, unfolds on a scorching summer day. Al Pacino and John Cazale portray a pair of hapless criminals forced to take bank employees and customers hostage after their plan unravels.

      This leads to two sweaty robbers and their captives grappling with a situation that is destined for a tragic end. The heat overwhelms Sonny (Pacino), who struggles to maintain his composure as the ringleader, while Sal (Cazale, who deserved at least an Oscar nomination) hovers on the brink of a volatile reaction, concealing a dangerous side behind his quiet demeanor.

      **Woman in the Dunes**

      In this classic Japanese arthouse film by Hiroshi Teshigahara, an entomologist hunting for bugs on a hot day falls into a sand dune and discovers a woman in a hut below. He soon becomes trapped, initiating the story of *Woman in the D