Modern Whore
“Modern Whore challenges the desexualization of disabled people in mainstream narratives.”
Title: Modern Whore (2025)
Director: Nicole Bazuin 👩🏼🇨🇦
Writer: Nicole Bazuin 👩🏼🇨🇦 and Andrea Werhun 👩🏼🇨🇦 based on the book by Andrea Werhun 👩🏼🇨🇦
Reviewed by Li 👩🏻🇺🇸
Technical: 3.75/5
Receiving its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival earlier tonight, Nicole Bazuin’s documentary Modern Whore adapts co-writer Andrea Werhun’s tell-all book by the same name. It follows Andrea, who appears as herself in the film, as she shares her story as a sex worker and argues for the need to decriminalize the industry, warns against the damage of social stigmas, and shows revulsion for “trauma porn” narratives that either victimize or villainize sex workers in mainstream media.
To lighten these topics, which include discussions of rape and internalized shame, Bazuin and Werhun use a kooky sense of humor full of bright colors, campy costumes, and quick cuts. The manic energy initially feels jarring, but with a consistency of voice—Andrea calls herself “a bit of a ham," and it’s easy to feel her authentic jubilance through the screen—this playful approach finds its groove. Combined with intimate storytelling, Modern Whore becomes an enchanting case study of one person’s experience as an escort and stripper. Although Andrea interviews other sex workers, the film’s scope remains narrow, preferring to focus on anecdotes that align with Andrea’s perspective rather than exploring contrasts. Still, her personal story alone is compelling enough.
Gender: 5/5
Does it pass the Bechdel Test? YES
Written and directed by women, and centering a woman, Andrea commands the lion’s share of screen time. Among the interviewees who gather around a table to trade war stories, all are women, gender-diverse, or nonbinary. The inclusion of voices like SJ Raphael or Kitoko Mai, both of whom use they/them pronouns, adds nuance to the film’s conversations.
Race: 2.5/5
On the other hand, Modern Whore feels disinterested in the role that race plays in sex work. Andrea acknowledges that she moves through the industry as a white, cisgender, and traditionally feminine-presenting woman. But when subjects of color, such as Kitoko (who’s Black) and Robin Banks (multiracial), broach conversations about race-based barriers, we’re quickly reabsorbed back into Andrea’s narrative. Anecdotes like how Kitoko had to interview at over 20 escort agencies just to be hired, whereas Andrea was hired immediately after her first inquiry, feel like a fascinating gap in the two escorts’ experiences. It’s disappointing that this type of difference gets breezed past.
Bonus for Disability: +0.50
Although it’s never a central part of the documentary, Modern Whore touches on disability and incorporates it naturally. One storyline involves Andrea’s workplace seizures, with doctors informing her that she has epilepsy and that her next drink could kill her. The terrifying revelation leads to her decision to work sober. Separately, Andrea also references a disabled client, activist Andrew Gurza (who consulted on Modern Whore), referring to him as someone whose legs are paralyzed but who has a "limber tongue." Finally, Kitoko, who has several interview snippets, identifies as disabled and neurodivergent, adding that the flexibility of sex work gave them a way to “not only survive, but to live.” Given the historical compulsion to desexualize disabled people in mainstream narratives, these references are welcome.
Mediaversity Grade: B 3.92/5
Thoroughly entertaining, if narrow in scope, Modern Whore does a fantastic job of giving a sex worker a microphone so that she can tell her own story. Andrea is a preeminent performer, capturing our attention as she makes comical reenactments, personifies her inner voice she calls “Shame,” or calls for the decriminalization of sex work with the vehemence of an activist determined to use her platform. But it’s the film’s more grounded moments that shine best. When Andrea sits across from her mom or boyfriend and trades stories about the person behind the sexy career, they humanize her and tug at the heartstrings more than any one of her hammier performances can.
Like Modern Whore? Try these other titles starring sex workers.
Anora (2024)
KOKOMO CITY (2023)
Jezebel (2019)