Modern Whore (2025) - Film Review

      **Modern Whore, 2025**

      Directed by Nicole Bazuin.

      Starring Andrea Werhun.

      **SYNOPSIS:**

      The film chronicles Andrea Werhun's journey through her previous roles as escort Mary Ann, stripper Sophia, and her OnlyFans persona, all reflecting her experiences in Toronto's sex work scene.

      Nicole Bazuin makes her feature film debut with **Modern Whore,** a hybrid documentary that illustrates Werhun's experiences inspired by her memoir of the same title. Bazuin and Werhun create a humorous and insightful adaptation of Werhun's life as a former sex worker in Toronto, exploring the reasons behind her involvement in the industry and the complexities surrounding it.

      **Modern Whore** employs an intriguing storytelling method, combining documentary elements of Werhun sharing her experiences and conversing with family, friends, and colleagues, with scripted scenes where Werhun and others reenact her stories. Although unconventional, this distinctive approach makes her narrative engaging, supported by a sharp and clever script co-written by Werhun and Bazuin.

      The scripted segments highlight Werhun's lively personality as she interacts with the cast and material — indeed, portraying her own story brings a compelling performance that reveals her most vulnerable moments, particularly in light of the stigma faced by sex workers, whether escorts or OnlyFans creators. The film is rich with self-awareness and quirky humor that breaks the fourth wall, allowing her to share her experiences and the skewed perceptions of her clients. It also addresses the harsher realities of sex work, such as encounters with dubious clients and the impact of such experiences, along with the lack of support systems.

      The transitions between scripted scenes and interviews are well-paced, with the two formats enhancing each other. The interviews are thought-provoking, exploring the motivations behind entering sex work and the stigma experienced from family and friends. Werhun delves into the various personas she adopted, examining which ones resonated more with her true self and the necessity of these identities in her profession. Many conversations address the taboo surrounding sex work and acknowledge the gradual shift in discussions to reduce the accompanying shame, though much work remains to be done.

      **Modern Whore** features excellent writing by Werhun and Bazuin, filled with entertaining moments, bolstered by Werhun’s strong performance. Its hybrid format is insightful, humorous, and inventive, making it notably memorable in various aspects.

      **Flickering Myth Rating – Film:** ★ ★ ★ ★ / **Movie:** ★ ★ ★ ★

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie news and discussions.