Park Chan-wook’s masterpiece is perhaps the most visually stunning crime film ever made. Set in 1930s Korea during the Japanese occupation, it follows a pickpocket hired to help a con man seduce a Japanese heiress. However, a deep, conspiratorial bond develops between the two women that upends the entire heist. Opulent, twisty, and erotic.
It subverts the "tragic lesbian" trope of the era, giving its protagonists agency, intellect, and a fighting chance. 2. The Handmaiden (2016)
If you are looking for the absolute best in sapphic suspense, here is a definitive guide to the top films featuring girlfriends, crime, and the blurred lines between love and lawlessness. 1. Bound (1996) lesbian crime stories 7 girlfriends films 202 best
This cult classic follows four Black women in Los Angeles who, pushed to their breaking points by systemic injustice, decide to start robbing banks. The relationship between Tisean and Cleo (played by Queen Latifah) provides some of the film’s most grounded, emotional stakes.
It is a cinematic puzzle box where the crime is secondary to the profound emotional connection between the leads. 3. Love Lies Bleeding (2024) Park Chan-wook’s masterpiece is perhaps the most visually
It perfectly captures the "us against the world" mentality that often defines the most compelling lesbian crime stories. 6. Set It Off (1996)
For those who prefer their crime with a side of screwball comedy, Ethan Coen’s solo directorial debut is a wild ride. Two friends (who eventually find more than just friendship) head to Tallahassee but accidentally end up with a briefcase full of "valuable" cargo belonging to inept criminals. Zany, fast-paced, and colorful. Opulent, twisty, and erotic
It’s a rare heist film that treats its queer characters as natural, integrated parts of the ensemble without making their sexuality the "crime." 7. Drive-Away Dolls (2024)
Based on a notorious 1954 New Zealand murder case, Peter Jackson’s film follows two teenage girls whose intense, imaginative friendship turns into a deadly obsession. Whimsical yet deeply unsettling.