Beyond Parker, the cast was expertly chosen to enhance the film's fantasy dynamic. , as the son Paul, is depicted as a near-mythical figure of masculine perfection: loyal, intelligent, and possessing a physique worthy of a Greek god. This portrayal of Paul as an "ideal lover" helped frame the incest not as an act of abuse, but as a consensual, if forbidden, union between two powerful people. The character of Gina, Barbara's promiscuous best friend, is played by the legendary Juliet Anderson (known to fans as "Aunt Peg"). She serves as the hedonistic fairy godmother, coaxing Barbara into a world of swinging and orgies that ultimately pushes her into her son’s arms. Her on-screen presence became a staple of the series.

This success naturally led to a sequel. However, rather than simply rehashing the same premise, Taboo II wisely pivoted. The story shifts its focus from the Scott family to that of the McBrides, a family whose own journey into incest is sparked by the lingering effects of the first film. This approach allowed the franchise to expand its world and explore the "taboo" subject from a different angle, proving the concept had legs beyond its initial hook.

Kay Parker was not a typical adult performer. A British actress who began her career in legitimate theater, Parker brought a level of nuance, sensitivity, and emotional intelligence that was rare in the industry. She was 36 years old when she took the role—a mature presence that stood in stark contrast to the ingénues who dominated the screen at the time. When initially offered the part of Barbara, Parker hesitated. Knowing several women who were actual victims of incest, she was deeply conflicted. She eventually took the role because she believed she "could put some sensitivity, empathy into it". This decision gave the character an authenticity that audiences responded to.

: Kay Parker , who became an icon of the era for her role as Barbara Scott, returned in a reduced capacity. The sequel also featured performances by Honey Wilder , Kevin James , and early appearances by industry figures like Ron Jeremy . Popular Media & Cultural Context

Its success spawned a massive franchise that would eventually stretch to 23 volumes between 1980 and 2007. But before the series became a bloated, direct-to-video juggernaut, Stevens and writer Helene Terrie had to answer one burning question: where do you go after a mother has slept with her son?

: The early 1980s saw a "home video explosion," where the rise of VHS allowed direct-to-video content to bypass traditional censorship, reaching wider audiences with previously forbidden themes.

What truly elevates Taboo II above its predecessor for many modern viewers is its tonal shift. While the 1980 film was drenched in guilt and psychological torment, Stevens, under the pen of Helene Terrie, directs the sequel with a much lighter, almost comedic touch. The film is often laugh-out-loud funny, with dialogue that veers into absurdist, self-aware territory. Lines like, "I don't know whether to cry or get a hard on," delivered with deadpan earnestness, capture the film's chaotic, campy spirit.

Unlike the fragmented, vignette-style adult content that became dominant in later decades, films of the Golden Age prioritised narrative structure, character development, and psychological themes. Taboo distinguished itself by deliberately tackling one of society's most deeply ingrained anthropological prohibitions: incestuous desire.

To appreciate the audacity of Taboo II , one must understand the landscape of 1980. The so-called "Golden Age of Porn" was beginning to wane, but the industry was still churning out feature-length films with narrative ambitions. The first Taboo (1980), also directed by Stevens, was a quiet storm. It centered on Barbara Scott (the legendary Kay Parker), a dissatisfied housewife who, after being left by her husband, finds herself in a slow, unsettling spiral of loneliness that culminates in her seducing her own teenage son.

Let me know how you would like to refine or expand this text. Share public link

: Reviewers from sites like IMDb and Wikipedia have noted its superior directing and acting compared to peers, often ranking it alongside classics like Deep Throat and Debbie Does Dallas .

: Mainstream television was already pushing sexual boundaries with shows like Soap . However, explicit content remained strictly policed, leaving a massive demand for uncut adult narratives.