The White Lotus went too far— But here’s how other TV shows and films got too close with incest

So, The White Lotus did it. Again. Mike White’s wildly popular HBO series has never been afraid to push boundaries. However, its latest plot twist—brothers passionately kissing before taking things even further—has officially crossed into “nope” territory for many viewers. Some are calling it bold storytelling. Others are calling in sick.

But let’s be real, this is hardly new. Hollywood has been messing with incest storylines for years, sometimes for shock value, sometimes for twisted drama, and sometimes just because… why the hell not?

If The White Lotus made you uncomfortable, here are some other times movies and TV shows went way too far with incest subplots:

1. Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Ah, Game of Thrones. If you thought The White Lotus was bad, this show had multiple incest plotlines, starting with Jaime and Cersei Lannister—twins who were way too into each other. Their relationship produced three inbred children, and let’s not forget Daenerys hooking up with her nephew, Jon Snow. Westeros? More like Wincestos.

2. House of the Dragon (2022–)

The Game of Thrones prequel said, “Let’s double down on incest.” The Targaryen dynasty takes “keeping the bloodline pure” to a disturbing level, with Princess Rhaenyra and her uncle Daemon’s romance becoming a fan-favorite (for some reason). Apparently, platinum blonde wigs are enough to distract people from the family tree situation.

3. Oldboy (2003)

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If The White Lotus made you uncomfortable, Oldboy will ruin your week. This South Korean cult classic follows a man seeking revenge—only to discover (in the most horrific way possible) that he’s been manipulated into sleeping with his own daughter. The reveal? Absolutely sickening. The aftermath? Even worse.

4. True Blood (2008-2014)

Vampires might live forever, but their dating pool is apparently way too small. In True Blood, Bill Compton unknowingly hooks up with Portia Bellefleur—only to later find out she’s his great-great-great-granddaughter. Even for a vampire, that’s foul. The moment he learns the truth, he immediately nopes out… but the damage is already done.

5. Flowers in the Attic (1987 & 2014)

Lifetime really said, “Let’s make this again?” Based on the infamous novel, Flowers in the Attic tells the story of siblings Cathy and Chris, who are locked away by their abusive mother. Over time, their relationship takes a dark turn, and let’s just say the film doesn’t shy away from it. Disturbing then, disturbing now.

6. The Borgias (2011-2013)

This historical drama, based on the infamous Borgia family, took sibling relationships too far. Cesare and Lucrezia’s dynamic? Not exactly brotherly love. The show leaned into their deeply inappropriate bond, which history may or may not have exaggerated. Either way, it made audiences deeply uncomfortable.

7. Crimson Peak (2015)

Guillermo del Toro’s Crimson Peak is visually stunning, but it has a disturbing plotline. The unsettlingly close relationship between Tom Hiddleston’s character and his very controlling sister, played by Jessica Chastain. The film doesn’t keep it a secret either—by the time the truth is revealed, you’ll wish you didn’t know.

8. The Tudors (2007-2010)

Henry VIII had a lot of messed-up relationships, but The Tudors decided to take things a step further by heavily implying an incestuous attraction between Henry and his sister, Margaret. The show didn’t go full Game of Thrones with it, but the tension? Unbearable.

9. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005–)

Comedy isn’t safe from incest either. It’s Always Sunny gave us the McPoyle family—an inbred, milk-drinking nightmare clan that makes audiences cringe every single time they show up. Their creepy, boundary-less dynamic is a recurring gag, but somehow, it gets worse each time.

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