The Intimacy Coordinator (2026)

-Written by Kyle Bain.  

Kate (Louisa Connolly-Burnham) is an intimacy coordinator. Her dark secret, however, is that she’s also a sex addict. The Intimacy Coordinator sees Kate attempting to balance both parts of herself.

I find the concept of an intimacy coordinator to be fascinating. Your job is to ensure that the actors on set are comfortable while simulating sex and sex-related acts on screen. I would imagine that most individuals who apply for these positions do it because they care (similar to the idea of a therapist). However, there must be people who take these jobs who have ulterior motives and malicious intent. The Intimacy Coordinator plays with these ideas and presents viewers with a meaningful analysis of what can happen when someone with the wrong intentions injects themselves into sensitive situations. That sentiment alone is enough to tantalize viewers; however, Writer-Director Connolly-Burnham introduces themes of horror in this short film that I never anticipated were coming. 

All of the success of The Intimacy Coordinator effectively stems from what Connolly-Burnham brings to the table. She’s written a concise telling of addiction that extends itself in directions that one might not typically see in cinema. She directs in a way that is equally concise, capturing intensity in moments that could have easily been overlooked or underwhelming. And, just as importantly, she delivers a strong performance that supplements the actors around her and strengthens the film as a whole. The Intimacy Coordinator relies heavily on her talents, and I feel that she delivers every step of the way. 

Her performance is unique, applying subtle but deliberate instances of juxtapositionally intense acting that highlights the simplicity in the other components of The Intimacy Coordinator. A cheeky grin or a subtle tilt of the head may appear insignificant on the surface, but the effect that those gestures have on the scenes in which they exist is paramount. 

There is an immense tonal shift by the conclusion of The Intimacy Coordinator. As I previously mentioned, there are horror aspects injected into the narrative—which creates a unique experience. By the conclusion, however, Connolly-Burnham fully commits to horror—drastically shifting the tone in a way that shakes up the entire production. The closing moments of The Intimacy Coordinator are hard-hitting, brilliantly sudden, and, most importantly, effective. 

The Intimacy Coordinator juggles a variety of genres, blending them into something unique that forces viewers to remain on their toes in anticipation of what might happen next. The fast pace of the film, coupled with its interesting intensity, makes for a fun, provocative, and thrilling experience. 

Written & Directed by Louisa Connolly-Burnham. 

Starring Louisa Connolly-Burnham, Kieron Moore, Sophie Simnett, Lindsay Duncan, Alexander Arnold, etc. 

8.5/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING