10 Best Erotic Thrillers Ever

Screen legend Al Pacino isn't necessarily known for getting too steamy on screen, 1980's controversial Cruising notwithstanding. But this 1989 movie with Ellen Barkin brought just the right amount of sexiness, with more than its share of thrills.

Pacino plays Frank Keller, a New York cop on the trial of a serial killer who appears to be finding victims via lonely hearts ads. Frank's investigations lead him to Helen (Barkin), and in a surefire breach of police protocol, he embarks on an affair with her.

Frank keeps a secret of the fact that he's a cop hunting a killer - but it soon becomes evident that Helen too is keeping secrets, and may in fact be the very person Frank's looking for.

Sea of Love is a simple detective thriller for the most part, directed effectively if unremarkably by Harold Becker. While it builds an effective sense of intrigue and suspense, it's all rather sold short by an underwhelming climactic reveal

Still, as is almost inevitable when Pacino is heading up the cast, Sea of Love is a beautifully acted film. Barkin is a phenomenal femme fatale who sparks off brilliantly with Pacino. There's also a thoroughly endearing supporting turn from John Goodman as Pacino's partner on the case.