In the golden age of smut, a set of cinephile authors set out on a quest to academicize—and elevate—sex scenes in film. Their book, America is currently in the midst of a smut revival . Neo-smut, if you will. First came Bridgerton and their coquettish dalliances in mazed gardens and horse-drawn carriages. Then, Heated Rivalry, with its steamy scenes in locker rooms and a lakeside cabin.