Do you like scary movies?

Mallory Smart does. Growing up the youngest in a family of five kids, Mallory remembers being exposed to horror movies by her older siblings very early in life. This was the 1990s, the heyday of slasher flicks. Holdovers from the 70s and 80s like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th were all into third or fourth sequels, but the big star of the era was Scream. With its tongue-in-cheek, self-aware tone and endless references to genre movies that came before, it set the template for meme culture long before most homes even had a dial-up connection to the Internet. For Mallory and her sisters and brothers, playing practical jokes and making prank calls was how they related to one another. It’s no wonder Scream is her all-time favorite.

I was a guest on another podcast she hosted in early 2021, and Mallory and I kept talking after. Eventually she mentioned the idea of starting a horror movie podcast, and on June 17, 2021, That Horrorcast debuted with a nearly two-hour talk about Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

I remember taking my brother Boris to see Jacques Tourneur’s Night of the Demon at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Massachusetts, in the early 80s. He had nightmares for days afterward, but I don’t recall being scared. I’ve loved movies all my life. I wound up working at that same theater in high school, dating a filmmaker through art school, and now make a part of my living reviewing film. But I’d drifted away from the horror genre before making friends with Mallory. I was surprised she asked me to cohost her podcast, not only because I’m not a genre obsessive like her, but also because of our age difference.

When Scream came out in 1996, I was 26. I found its jokey violence mostly derivative and annoying, but most of all, inconsequential and unimportant. The stakes seemed so low. It’s just a way to riff on other movies without any resonance to lived experience. David Lynch’s Lost Highway, which came out the following year, sticks in my mind as much more impactful and reflective of that era, but to Mallory, Scream is a major touchstone. She would have been six when it debuted but likely first watched it via home video a year or two later. That generational gap is one of the cruxes of our show.

As the true fan, Mallory chooses classics like Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, and The Omen, whereas I try to go less mainstream with titles like Larry Fessenden’s grubby is-he-or-isn’t-he-a-vampire flick Habit (1995) and Andrzej Żuławski’s overwrought relationship-horror masterpiece Possession (1981). It’s fun to stump Mallory with movies she’s never heard of. But revisiting The Thing or It Follows is a chance to reconsider movies I thought I already knew and had set opinions on through fresh eyes. Hearing Mallory’s take is often illuminating and makes me rethink my own assumptions.

There are plenty of film podcasts out there that focus exclusively on the plot or style. Neither Mallory nor I is an aspiring filmmaker or film historian; we’re just two friends talking. As I’ve said, I’m not specifically a horror-movie buff, but I find the genre rich soil for conversation. No matter how fantastic or violent, the premises of these films are always real-life fears and societal ills. They are invariably reflective of the times they were made. A great instance is the four very different versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers; while each is basically the same story, the stakes and circumstances in each are firmly rooted in the 50s, 70s, 90s, and 00s, respectively.

That Horrorcastthathorrorcast.com

The joy of the show to me is the unpredictability of Mallory’s reactions to the movies I choose. I was sure she would love Jane Schoenbrun’s 2021 Internet-set nightmare We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, but she was completely unimpressed. By contrast, Jeff Lieberman’s 70s drug-scare oddity Blue Sunshine drew raves.

It’s also occurred to me that the vast majority of conversations between Mallory and I have been recorded. We’ve only known one another a couple years and don’t live near enough to meet face-to-face that often. Add COVID-era restrictions and a mutual allergy to phone calls and what you get is a whole friendship documented via podcast.

We don’t know how long we’ll keep the thing going. This is neither a commercial enterprise nor a means to some definable end. We’ll keep posting episodes as long as the conversations are engaging and we’re not sick of one another. There are even tentative plans to go see the next (is it the sixth? eighth?) iteration of Scream when it comes out next year. If that’s not a definition of true friendship, I don’t know what is.

Read More

The first Pride Film Festival features international LGBTQ+ films to stream October 26 through December 11. The festival recently separated from PrideArts, previously known as Pride Films and Plays, where it began in 2012. Pride Film Fest showcases LGBTQ+ shorts and features a diverse mix of riveting stories told across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. 

Black Rainbow Love

Written, directed, and produced by Angela Harvey 

Black Rainbow Love shines a brilliant light on the Black LGBTQ+ community. The documentary features beautiful stories of love, whether it be with friends, lovers, the community, and more. Harvey, who is a motivational speaker, social worker, and counselor, speaks with many people who she personally knows from her beloved LGBTQ+ community; she even officiated four of the couples’ weddings. 

“I teach grown folks how to grow up. One of my clients made up the word ‘growth-ologist’ and it truly describes me best. My name is now synonymous with ‘grow,’” Harvey says.

This is only her first go-around as a documentary filmmaker, and the film has already received several awards. Harvey was motivated to create the documentary while watching a program on TV that featured people talking about relationships. Noticing a lack of representation, Harvey set out to tell the stories of the Black LGBTQ+ community.

“The stories are absolutely making an impact on all of those who see it. I’m blown away but also honored that I was the person to bring forth these amazing stories.”

Ultimately, Harvey will produce Black Rainbow Love as a docuseries.

Panah

Distributed by Helia Behrooz, directed by Fatemeh Ghadirinezhadian, written by Masoumeh Bayat

Amid protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody, the unrest in Iran continues to fuel anger against a corrupt and autocratic government. Because many Iranians are not allowed to use cell phones, U.S.-based Behrooz spoke with the Reader to share the story behind Panah, a film centered around a middle-aged transgender man who has a heartbreaking meeting with his son before attempting gender reassignment surgery in another country.

The Iranian government only recognizes two genders, male and female. This includes trans people, but means that many trans Iranians have been forced into gender reassignment surgery. Despite the government recognition, the trans community is still not socially or culturally acknowledged in Iran, and other queer identities like being gay or bisexual are punishable by death.

“I haven’t spoken to my people in Iran for 18 days,” Behrooz says. “I speak on behalf of the filmmakers who come from a family of producers. In Iran the government doesn’t allow independent productions, and makes them hard to operate, so it is difficult to make these movies. The other day we were protesting in front of the CBS office in LA because they haven’t been giving us any coverage, and it’s crazy because we just had a huge protest; over half a million people were there. Because of what is happening in Ukraine and in Florida with Hurricane Ian, we aren’t getting any coverage. It’s important for us to bring it up any opportunity we get. This movement is led by young women near 25 years old, and gender equality and inclusivity is a part of all of this. The rights of every single citizen is denied by the government. So just imagine how much pressure our LGBTQ+ community faces.”

The Iranian government has made many attempts at silencing activists. Currently two LGBTQ+ activists, Zahra Seddiqi Hamedani (known as Sareh), 31, and Elham Choubdar, 24, have been sentenced to death due to being guilty of “spreading corruption on Earth.”

Behrooz continues, “When the Iranian government wants to execute someone, they do it overnight. We have to make sure their voices are heard internationally, so they feel pressure not to do so. I want to tell people in the Iranian LGBTQ community they are all my dear friends. We are all in this together. This is a fight for human rights, and they can count on us. ‘Panah’ is a name, but it also means refuge, shelter, or safe. Metaphorically, the director may have had something in mind.”

Cut Short

Written and directed by Charlie Andelman

A young nonbinary person must face a difficult truth about their father’s mortality while giving him a haircut after cancer treatment. Andelman based this short film around the memories of their dad when he was going through treatment, and how his hair finally grew back, different from how it used to be.

“At the time I had the chance to make this, you know, people talk about what they want their audience to feel,” Andelman says. “It’s a very intense thing to lay bare all of someone’s grief on the screen, let alone an entire theater and festival. It was entirely for myself, as it became the only way I could see myself processing my grief. I’m not a hairstylist. I cut his hair that one time. It was a nice bonding experience and a solemn one. It was the moment I accepted that this was going to end soon.”

During production Andelman experienced lots of ups and downs due to the personal and emotional attachment to Cut Short. They developed their own health issues over the past couple of years, and through the tough times their community came together to help make this film.

“It was amazing not only having trans representation on the set but being able to learn with each other and support each other and be there. It was really wonderful.”

Prior to Andelman releasing the film, their family didn’t talk much about their father’s death. Andelman’s father had been the glue of the family, and since the film’s release, Andelman’s family became more able to talk about him and the impact he had in their lives.

“I can hear him in my head,” Andelman says. “He would be so excited and proud. I was the apple of his eye, anything I completed or put out in the world, he was so happy to see it and experience it with me. This project is one that I wish I could share with him. It’s a complicated feeling to deal with, but I know that he would have been happy to see me work through my emotions like this.”

Pride Film FestivalStreaming Oct 26-Dec 11One-week general admission $10, festival passes $50, student and senior discounts available; pridefilm.org

Inside the Beauty Bubble

Directed by Cheryl Bookout and Cheri Gaulke

Set in artistic desert haven Joshua Tree, the Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 3,000 vintage hairstyling artifacts. When owner Jeff Hafler was young, he dreamed of being an archaeologist. When he grew up and joined beauty school, he began collecting hair and beauty artifacts. Known as America’s Hairstorian, Hafler is just as delightful to watch as every piece of his collection. The documentary captures Hafler’s family pre- and mid-pandemic.

According to Bookout, “When [Hafler] moved his business from Wonder Valley to Joshua Tree, he came with his collection of vintage beauty artifacts. He created this wonderful roadside attraction and it’s actually a working salon. You can go there to get your hair done within all these artifacts. When he moved in I met him and had a life-changing haircut. He told me his story, that of his husband and his teenage son. I left his salon and called my filmmaking partner, Cheri Gaulke, excited that I thought we had the subject for our next documentary film.”

Gaulke adds, “Jeff is very entertaining, and a funny guy. He works the word hair into almost every sentence. He says things like, ‘That’s hair-sterical,’ or ‘The rest is hair-story.’ He’s full of hair jokes and puns. The tourists love him.”

Busia’s Babushkas

Directed by Dan Pal

A heartwarming memoir about a grandmother’s babushkas and the connection her grandson had to them, Busia’s Babushkas helps director Dan Pal explore why he is obsessed with long hair while also honoring his grandmother. After Pal’s mother passed away two years ago, he inherited all of her home movies and photos. Throughout his childhood, Pal’s mother would always take pictures and film her family. Pal originally used his mother’s footage to make a feature documentary about her, Harriet & Her Husbands. When Pal decided to honor his Polish busia (grandmother), he used footage of her babushkas (scarves). As a child Pal often wore her babushkas and pretended to be someone with long hair, often imagining a connection to celebrities like Cher or Barbra Streisand. 

“It was my way of connecting with celebrities, and as I thought about it I noticed maybe that was my own inspiration for wanting to grow my hair out,” Pal says. “I realized there had to be a connection to all of that. My grandmother and my obsession with long hair and celebrities. My hair is like a little past my shoulders; it’s not long but it’s not short.”

Busia was well known for her compassionate personality, and for her love of her family, especially her grandchildren.

“She always accepted us and loved us deeply.”

Pal’s busia passed away before he got into filmmaking and teaching, but he has no doubt that she would have been very supportive of the film, and probably would have laughed along with it.

“I still have so much footage, and wanted to do something with that. I thought this is a great way to tell part of my own story and also honor her. If Busia were here, I would say we really miss you, and we wish that you were here to be a part of our lives.”

Embrace

Directed by Latesha Merkel

This beautiful animated short is a film about asexuality and explores the common experience faced by those who identify as ace. Asexuality is an orientation defined by a lack of sexual attraction or desire regardless of gender. Of course there is a wide spectrum, but this particular film shares the story of a person who tries to date but does not feel comfortable connecting to a partner with physical intimacy—similar to Merkel herself, when she started college. Having seen no real representation of asexuality onscreen or otherwise, Merkel was inspired to share her experience.

“When I was around 17 or 18 I noticed a disconnect from my peers,” Merkel says. “I questioned why it was so hard to engage sexually. I wondered how it would affect my dating life and tried to figure out romantic relationships. I casually stumbled upon the term asexuality online, and that was the moment when it clicked, the moment it made sense. It felt relieving to know there was a word to explain why I felt so different and isolated in this specific case.”

“The most important people in my life have been very accepting. Some are curious, and I made a whole film about it, so I am open to discussing it. My own experiences and the ones I talked about in the film are very specific to each person. Asexuality is a spectrum. Some aces are OK with sex on some level, some aces want children and some don’t. It varies from person to person and this is my own take on it.”

Read More

Do you like scary movies?

Mallory Smart does. Growing up the youngest in a family of five kids, Mallory remembers being exposed to horror movies by her older siblings very early in life. This was the 1990s, the heyday of slasher flicks. Holdovers from the 70s and 80s like Halloween, Nightmare on Elm Street, and Friday the 13th were all into third or fourth sequels, but the big star of the era was Scream. With its tongue-in-cheek, self-aware tone and endless references to genre movies that came before, it set the template for meme culture long before most homes even had a dial-up connection to the Internet. For Mallory and her sisters and brothers, playing practical jokes and making prank calls was how they related to one another. It’s no wonder Scream is her all-time favorite.

I was a guest on another podcast she hosted in early 2021, and Mallory and I kept talking after. Eventually she mentioned the idea of starting a horror movie podcast, and on June 17, 2021, That Horrorcast debuted with a nearly two-hour talk about Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

I remember taking my brother Boris to see Jacques Tourneur’s Night of the Demon at the Coolidge Corner Theatre in Brookline, Massachusetts, in the early 80s. He had nightmares for days afterward, but I don’t recall being scared. I’ve loved movies all my life. I wound up working at that same theater in high school, dating a filmmaker through art school, and now make a part of my living reviewing film. But I’d drifted away from the horror genre before making friends with Mallory. I was surprised she asked me to cohost her podcast, not only because I’m not a genre obsessive like her, but also because of our age difference.

When Scream came out in 1996, I was 26. I found its jokey violence mostly derivative and annoying, but most of all, inconsequential and unimportant. The stakes seemed so low. It’s just a way to riff on other movies without any resonance to lived experience. David Lynch’s Lost Highway, which came out the following year, sticks in my mind as much more impactful and reflective of that era, but to Mallory, Scream is a major touchstone. She would have been six when it debuted but likely first watched it via home video a year or two later. That generational gap is one of the cruxes of our show.

As the true fan, Mallory chooses classics like Nightmare on Elm Street, The Exorcist, and The Omen, whereas I try to go less mainstream with titles like Larry Fessenden’s grubby is-he-or-isn’t-he-a-vampire flick Habit (1995) and Andrzej Żuławski’s overwrought relationship-horror masterpiece Possession (1981). It’s fun to stump Mallory with movies she’s never heard of. But revisiting The Thing or It Follows is a chance to reconsider movies I thought I already knew and had set opinions on through fresh eyes. Hearing Mallory’s take is often illuminating and makes me rethink my own assumptions.

There are plenty of film podcasts out there that focus exclusively on the plot or style. Neither Mallory nor I is an aspiring filmmaker or film historian; we’re just two friends talking. As I’ve said, I’m not specifically a horror-movie buff, but I find the genre rich soil for conversation. No matter how fantastic or violent, the premises of these films are always real-life fears and societal ills. They are invariably reflective of the times they were made. A great instance is the four very different versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers; while each is basically the same story, the stakes and circumstances in each are firmly rooted in the 50s, 70s, 90s, and 00s, respectively.

That Horrorcastthathorrorcast.com

The joy of the show to me is the unpredictability of Mallory’s reactions to the movies I choose. I was sure she would love Jane Schoenbrun’s 2021 Internet-set nightmare We’re All Going to the World’s Fair, but she was completely unimpressed. By contrast, Jeff Lieberman’s 70s drug-scare oddity Blue Sunshine drew raves.

It’s also occurred to me that the vast majority of conversations between Mallory and I have been recorded. We’ve only known one another a couple years and don’t live near enough to meet face-to-face that often. Add COVID-era restrictions and a mutual allergy to phone calls and what you get is a whole friendship documented via podcast.

We don’t know how long we’ll keep the thing going. This is neither a commercial enterprise nor a means to some definable end. We’ll keep posting episodes as long as the conversations are engaging and we’re not sick of one another. There are even tentative plans to go see the next (is it the sixth? eighth?) iteration of Scream when it comes out next year. If that’s not a definition of true friendship, I don’t know what is.

Read More

The first Pride Film Festival features international LGBTQ+ films to stream October 26 through December 11. The festival recently separated from PrideArts, previously known as Pride Films and Plays, where it began in 2012. Pride Film Fest showcases LGBTQ+ shorts and features a diverse mix of riveting stories told across the LGBTQ+ spectrum. 

Black Rainbow Love

Written, directed, and produced by Angela Harvey 

Black Rainbow Love shines a brilliant light on the Black LGBTQ+ community. The documentary features beautiful stories of love, whether it be with friends, lovers, the community, and more. Harvey, who is a motivational speaker, social worker, and counselor, speaks with many people who she personally knows from her beloved LGBTQ+ community; she even officiated four of the couples’ weddings. 

“I teach grown folks how to grow up. One of my clients made up the word ‘growth-ologist’ and it truly describes me best. My name is now synonymous with ‘grow,’” Harvey says.

This is only her first go-around as a documentary filmmaker, and the film has already received several awards. Harvey was motivated to create the documentary while watching a program on TV that featured people talking about relationships. Noticing a lack of representation, Harvey set out to tell the stories of the Black LGBTQ+ community.

“The stories are absolutely making an impact on all of those who see it. I’m blown away but also honored that I was the person to bring forth these amazing stories.”

Ultimately, Harvey will produce Black Rainbow Love as a docuseries.

Panah

Distributed by Helia Behrooz, directed by Fatemeh Ghadirinezhadian, written by Masoumeh Bayat

Amid protests sparked by the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini while in police custody, the unrest in Iran continues to fuel anger against a corrupt and autocratic government. Because many Iranians are not allowed to use cell phones, U.S.-based Behrooz spoke with the Reader to share the story behind Panah, a film centered around a middle-aged transgender man who has a heartbreaking meeting with his son before attempting gender reassignment surgery in another country.

The Iranian government only recognizes two genders, male and female. This includes trans people, but means that many trans Iranians have been forced into gender reassignment surgery. Despite the government recognition, the trans community is still not socially or culturally acknowledged in Iran, and other queer identities like being gay or bisexual are punishable by death.

“I haven’t spoken to my people in Iran for 18 days,” Behrooz says. “I speak on behalf of the filmmakers who come from a family of producers. In Iran the government doesn’t allow independent productions, and makes them hard to operate, so it is difficult to make these movies. The other day we were protesting in front of the CBS office in LA because they haven’t been giving us any coverage, and it’s crazy because we just had a huge protest; over half a million people were there. Because of what is happening in Ukraine and in Florida with Hurricane Ian, we aren’t getting any coverage. It’s important for us to bring it up any opportunity we get. This movement is led by young women near 25 years old, and gender equality and inclusivity is a part of all of this. The rights of every single citizen is denied by the government. So just imagine how much pressure our LGBTQ+ community faces.”

The Iranian government has made many attempts at silencing activists. Currently two LGBTQ+ activists, Zahra Seddiqi Hamedani (known as Sareh), 31, and Elham Choubdar, 24, have been sentenced to death due to being guilty of “spreading corruption on Earth.”

Behrooz continues, “When the Iranian government wants to execute someone, they do it overnight. We have to make sure their voices are heard internationally, so they feel pressure not to do so. I want to tell people in the Iranian LGBTQ community they are all my dear friends. We are all in this together. This is a fight for human rights, and they can count on us. ‘Panah’ is a name, but it also means refuge, shelter, or safe. Metaphorically, the director may have had something in mind.”

Cut Short

Written and directed by Charlie Andelman

A young nonbinary person must face a difficult truth about their father’s mortality while giving him a haircut after cancer treatment. Andelman based this short film around the memories of their dad when he was going through treatment, and how his hair finally grew back, different from how it used to be.

“At the time I had the chance to make this, you know, people talk about what they want their audience to feel,” Andelman says. “It’s a very intense thing to lay bare all of someone’s grief on the screen, let alone an entire theater and festival. It was entirely for myself, as it became the only way I could see myself processing my grief. I’m not a hairstylist. I cut his hair that one time. It was a nice bonding experience and a solemn one. It was the moment I accepted that this was going to end soon.”

During production Andelman experienced lots of ups and downs due to the personal and emotional attachment to Cut Short. They developed their own health issues over the past couple of years, and through the tough times their community came together to help make this film.

“It was amazing not only having trans representation on the set but being able to learn with each other and support each other and be there. It was really wonderful.”

Prior to Andelman releasing the film, their family didn’t talk much about their father’s death. Andelman’s father had been the glue of the family, and since the film’s release, Andelman’s family became more able to talk about him and the impact he had in their lives.

“I can hear him in my head,” Andelman says. “He would be so excited and proud. I was the apple of his eye, anything I completed or put out in the world, he was so happy to see it and experience it with me. This project is one that I wish I could share with him. It’s a complicated feeling to deal with, but I know that he would have been happy to see me work through my emotions like this.”

Pride Film FestivalStreaming Oct 26-Dec 11One-week general admission $10, festival passes $50, student and senior discounts available; pridefilm.org

Inside the Beauty Bubble

Directed by Cheryl Bookout and Cheri Gaulke

Set in artistic desert haven Joshua Tree, the Beauty Bubble Salon and Museum boasts an impressive collection of more than 3,000 vintage hairstyling artifacts. When owner Jeff Hafler was young, he dreamed of being an archaeologist. When he grew up and joined beauty school, he began collecting hair and beauty artifacts. Known as America’s Hairstorian, Hafler is just as delightful to watch as every piece of his collection. The documentary captures Hafler’s family pre- and mid-pandemic.

According to Bookout, “When [Hafler] moved his business from Wonder Valley to Joshua Tree, he came with his collection of vintage beauty artifacts. He created this wonderful roadside attraction and it’s actually a working salon. You can go there to get your hair done within all these artifacts. When he moved in I met him and had a life-changing haircut. He told me his story, that of his husband and his teenage son. I left his salon and called my filmmaking partner, Cheri Gaulke, excited that I thought we had the subject for our next documentary film.”

Gaulke adds, “Jeff is very entertaining, and a funny guy. He works the word hair into almost every sentence. He says things like, ‘That’s hair-sterical,’ or ‘The rest is hair-story.’ He’s full of hair jokes and puns. The tourists love him.”

Busia’s Babushkas

Directed by Dan Pal

A heartwarming memoir about a grandmother’s babushkas and the connection her grandson had to them, Busia’s Babushkas helps director Dan Pal explore why he is obsessed with long hair while also honoring his grandmother. After Pal’s mother passed away two years ago, he inherited all of her home movies and photos. Throughout his childhood, Pal’s mother would always take pictures and film her family. Pal originally used his mother’s footage to make a feature documentary about her, Harriet & Her Husbands. When Pal decided to honor his Polish busia (grandmother), he used footage of her babushkas (scarves). As a child Pal often wore her babushkas and pretended to be someone with long hair, often imagining a connection to celebrities like Cher or Barbra Streisand. 

“It was my way of connecting with celebrities, and as I thought about it I noticed maybe that was my own inspiration for wanting to grow my hair out,” Pal says. “I realized there had to be a connection to all of that. My grandmother and my obsession with long hair and celebrities. My hair is like a little past my shoulders; it’s not long but it’s not short.”

Busia was well known for her compassionate personality, and for her love of her family, especially her grandchildren.

“She always accepted us and loved us deeply.”

Pal’s busia passed away before he got into filmmaking and teaching, but he has no doubt that she would have been very supportive of the film, and probably would have laughed along with it.

“I still have so much footage, and wanted to do something with that. I thought this is a great way to tell part of my own story and also honor her. If Busia were here, I would say we really miss you, and we wish that you were here to be a part of our lives.”

Embrace

Directed by Latesha Merkel

This beautiful animated short is a film about asexuality and explores the common experience faced by those who identify as ace. Asexuality is an orientation defined by a lack of sexual attraction or desire regardless of gender. Of course there is a wide spectrum, but this particular film shares the story of a person who tries to date but does not feel comfortable connecting to a partner with physical intimacy—similar to Merkel herself, when she started college. Having seen no real representation of asexuality onscreen or otherwise, Merkel was inspired to share her experience.

“When I was around 17 or 18 I noticed a disconnect from my peers,” Merkel says. “I questioned why it was so hard to engage sexually. I wondered how it would affect my dating life and tried to figure out romantic relationships. I casually stumbled upon the term asexuality online, and that was the moment when it clicked, the moment it made sense. It felt relieving to know there was a word to explain why I felt so different and isolated in this specific case.”

“The most important people in my life have been very accepting. Some are curious, and I made a whole film about it, so I am open to discussing it. My own experiences and the ones I talked about in the film are very specific to each person. Asexuality is a spectrum. Some aces are OK with sex on some level, some aces want children and some don’t. It varies from person to person and this is my own take on it.”

Read More

Read More

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most adult actresses and models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Cherry.tvBest newcomer3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models6.MyFreeCamsBest free option7.ImLiveGreat for watching couples8.CamSodaGreat for specific fetishes9.Cams.comTeledildonic features10.XcamsMost diverse cam models11.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time12.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows13.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases14.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate15.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you wantIntuitive search functionAdvanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordableFun, game-like interfaceStreamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)Just started so not a ton of active models yet

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

AffordableBest cam site availableGreat one-on-one performancesYou get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

When you visit Flirt4Free you might be inclined to believe that it’s a site like Chaturbate where tons of amateur models can stream their sexual activities. However, Flirt4Free is for the pros. These are seasoned pornstars who deliver gratifying shows to a very hungry audience. And Flirt4Free knows how to give the viewers what they want because it’s been around for so long.

Flirt4Free is certainly one of the most intuitive sex cam sites available because you are able to filter the models on this site by kink and fetish, like BDSM or couples. If you find a model that you particularly love, you can also take a look at their schedule so that you never miss a show.

Flirt4Free might reel in newcomers with the “F” word (free), but cam site enthusiasts know that you’ll end up paying at some point. To their credit though, Flirt4Free allows you to watch public streams and get information about the performers. Private shows will drive you to pay for tokens so that you can direct the lovely cam girl who you’ve chosen to watch. Performers decide their own price-per-minute, so keep an eye out for that before you end up breaking the bank.

Pros:

Free public showsTons of filtering optionsProfessional, pornstar-quality models

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structure

5. LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable modelsMobile optionRange of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

6.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely freeFantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

7.  ImLive: Old-school cam site featuring couples

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couplesDifferent payment optionsFree archived shows

Cons:

The models aren’t very interactive

8.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personalityCaters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

9.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!Advanced search functionDiverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

10.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girlsVery kinkyGreat previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structureSmall amount of free credits when you sign up

11.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose fromAmateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying adsOutdated web design

12.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the worldExclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or searchNot for everyone

13.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteasesVR featuresProfessional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

14.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about priceGreat site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

15.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam siteCan actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigateSome performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

Read More

Can we be honest with each other? (It’s kind of required for this reading exercise and the book review that’s hidden in here somewhere.) OK. Ready? Neighborhoods in Chicago can be dog whistle terms. It’s all right to admit that many of you are much more interested in a new bar, club, or restaurant opening in one of the Loops (South and West, respectively) than you are in a new bar, club, or restaurant opening in one of the ’woods (Engel, Ravens) or the Parks (Hyde, Garfield, Humboldt, etc.). But what if we redefined those arbitrary borders that make up the different Chicago neighborhoods and often subconsciously drive our choices when it comes to deciding where or where not to visit? 

Enter Abby Pucker and her new community venture, Gertie. Gertie is described as a “sports team for arts and culture,” if you will. Its mission is to build a community of young professionals in Chicago (both transplants and natives) who are ready to engage with the city and each other in new ways. And (A)Part: A Recipe Guide-book to Chicago (if you will) is the companion piece to the new venture—meant to introduce the reader to different restaurants, recipes, neighborhoods, and cultural landmarks through the eyes of 27 different Chicagoans. 

Just to note a few members of the well-rounded cohort of Chicagoans hailing from a variety of sectors, ages, races, and community affiliations, contributors include some names you may know: rapper, actor, and cannabis entrepreneur Vic Mensa; photographer, director, and owner of Monday Coffee Felton Kizer; chef/co-owner of Thattu Margaret Pak; and now, community organizer Abby Pucker. And then there are some you don’t know but will be introduced to. The book is intended for “anyone willing to be curious.” So while more than 40 different traditionally defined neighborhoods are technically represented, all of the cultural maps are drawn without identifying neighborhoods. They’re simply plotted on a grid with guideposts that mark the four “directions” of the city. In Abby’s own words, the book is meant to be “an experiment in retracing and redefining community through aligned cultural interests and passions, rather than ZIP code.”

The book is short and sweet, just like the perfect Chicago day—especially for this time of year, when the sun starts to set earlier and the windchill makes you want to go inside before dark anyway. Also much like Chicago, the book’s layout is inviting, but it makes absolutely no attempt to fit in. Highlighter-pink text matches a bright-fuschia plaid-printed cover, completely destroying any minimalist coffee-table decor plans you may have had for it. It is wire-bound and more akin to a field guide than a recipe book. I’d even recommend a pencil for note-taking, recipe conversions, and Xs to mark spots that hit a specific place in your heart and stomach. 

(A)Part wants you to explore the city, even the parts you may feel a bit hesitant to visit without a chaperone, a cosigner—hell, at least a regular’s go-to menu order. The book has taken into account the reader’s likely trepidation by ignoring it completely. Once you get past the first few pages of contributors, you’re greeted with a foreword that reminds you, “Trust—in institutions, government, and, frankly, each other—is at an all-time low.” That lack of trust often lends to isolationism and encourages people to turn inward, be it into themselves in the form of serial delivery-app orders, or be it inward to faces and places they know best, hyperlocal (and maybe a little exclusionary?) communities where diversity of thought, taste, and opinion are shunned. (A)Part reminds you: “Chicago has some trust issues, and they are warranted, but that doesn’t mean they’re inevitable.” 

So the goal with this recipe book, if you will, is to bring together each contributor’s experiences in this city like different ingredients in a recipe, working together to create something deliciously greater than the sum of their parts. By the end of it, Abby and team hope to impress upon the reader the importance of community through an active exercise of reimagining those mental and geographic borders that keep us (a)part. (See what she did there?)

What secret spots could this book possibly reveal to me that my favorite viral TikTok or Chicago lifestyle site has yet to unearth, you ask? Well, here’s a quick sampling of the recommendations you’ll find in the pages of (A)Part:

• A former Best Buy turned beauty supply store mecca

• The urban ruins of what used to be a legal graffiti art gallery (It is now the back wall of a Target.)

• Intimate details of our very own inner-city chocolate factory (The chocolate cake in a bag recipe is included; the funny man in hat and Oompa Loompas are not.)

• A special family pizza recipe, the most Chicago-style you can get

• A Black- and queer-owned bar in Andersonville where the contributor often runs into north-siders, south-siders, west-siders, out-of-towners, and sometimes even their therapist 

• A Ukrainian eatery and pastry shop with a highly recommended (by the contributor) brunch (and special mention to the tarragon pierogi in a light dijon cream sauce) 

• More monuments, parks, and gardens than you can fit into your schedule before the weather breaks for good, and a variety of theaters, work-from-elsewhere spaces, restaurants, museums, and shops to visit once it does

• A Kenyan-Indian-Canadian-Chicagoan transplant immigrant’s guide to Chicago through their multicultural lens (This includes their mom’s goan prawn curry recipe.)

• An account of Cook County Jail—a place that, in my opinion, every Chicagoan should visit at least once (to volunteer, not by force or order of the court, hopefully)

• A flourless, eggless, sugar- and dairy-free “cookie” recipe from a Chicagoan with GI issues who reflects on his favorite meals that he’s no longer allowed to eat

• A family puff puff recipe and north-side guide to the African grocery and braiding shop, straight from the notes of a self-proclaimed Chigerian 

• Basically, everything from Norwegian open-faced sandwiches to southern red beans and rice

Read More

Adult cam sites are all the rage. There has never been a better time to interact with a live cam girl. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that we all feel so isolated, and connecting with a live model is more satisfying than watching prerecorded videos.

These days, most adult actresses and models offer their services via virtual camming platforms. There are quite literally hundreds of thousands of cam girls you can video chat with, so how in the world do you choose? These cam sites deliver the goods in terms of adventurous women, seamless camming experiences, and sexual gratification. But each site is unique in its own special way. From private shows to free options and special performers, there is a lot to digest.

We’ve taken the time to break down which cam sites are best and why. Stick to this guide and you’ll certainly have the best cam experience possible.

The Best Adult Cam Sites of 2022

RankSiteBest For1.JerkmateBest modern cam website2.Cherry.tvBest newcomer3.ChaturbateBest overall cam site4.Flirt4FreeProfessional cam models5.LiveJasminMost gorgeous models6.MyFreeCamsBest free option7.ImLiveGreat for watching couples8.CamSodaGreat for specific fetishes9.Cams.comTeledildonic features10.XcamsMost diverse cam models11.StreamateThousands of streams at any given time12.Lucky CrushRandom one-on-one cam shows13.StripchatBeautiful live stripteases14.BongacamsEasiest cam site to navigate15.BabestationBiggest UK cam site

1.  Jerkmate: Best modern new cam site

Jerkmate is a really unique cam site because it allows its users to filter the models they search for by personal preference. You can specify your preference in gender, kink, and even body type. It’s a matching system between viewers and cam girls, which makes it feel pretty special. Once you match with someone, you have the option of also becoming a cam model. You can stream a video of yourself watching the cam girl, which is pretty nice. Think of it as if Chatroulette, Tinder, and Chaturbate had a love child. Most people enjoy watching private cam shows because they are longing for a connection, sexual or otherwise. Jerkmate delivers that in spades.

Jerkmate also hires actual pornstars and professional cam girls to stream live. Going one-on-one with one of the pros is unlikely and really expensive. However, if you prefer your cam girl to be an actual pornstar, you can view their live shows with other users on the site. These women will expect you to give them tons of tokens if you want them to do anything specific, but this is pretty normal for camming websites.

Beyond the two unique and exciting options that Jerkmate provides, it’s also very easy to use. It’s got a modern feel to it and selecting a show to watch could not be easier. If you don’t love who you’ve been matched with, you can also browse the expansive list of categories that Jerkmate has to offer. Those categories range from BDSM to Sex Toys and everything in between. As far as pricing goes, it’s up to the model. Expect to pay anywhere from $50 to $100 per hour watching one of the Jerkmate shows.

Pros:

Models can see you if you wantIntuitive search functionAdvanced personalized features

Cons:

This is a pricey option

2. Cherry.tv:Best new cam site

Cam sites such as Jerkmate and Chaturbate may have the lion’s share of attention, but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of other sites popping up all the time. While many of these aren’t worth your trouble, some of them may turn out to be major competitors.

One such site is cherry.tv, from the people over at Cherry Models. The site has only recently gone live and is still in Beta mode, which means for now they only have cis-women and trans women cam girls. That said, the platform will be opened up to everyone in the next version. 

One cool thing about Cherry.tv is that it isn’t just another cam site like any other. They’re attempting to introduce more “gamification” to the concept, so cherry.tv allows models to “level up” by gaining experience points (xp). Streaming gets cammers XP as well as receiving certain gifts from fans. 

Cherry.tv won numerous awards in 2021, such as “Best Emerging Company” and “Emerging Web Brand of the Year.” They are also one of the best sites out there in terms of compensating streamers. So, if you want the vast majority of your hard-earned money to go to the actual cam model, then cherry.tv is a great option for you. 

Pros:

Relatively affordableFun, game-like interfaceStreamers receive almost all of the tips

Cons:

In beta mode (no male models or couples)Just started so not a ton of active models yet

3. Chaturbate:Number one cam site in the world

There’s a good chance you’ve heard of Chaturbate. Not only is the name genius for a camgirl site, but Chaturbate has managed to stand the test of time. We can’t believe it’s been ten years since it was created back in 2011! It’s hailed as the best cam site available by millions of users because it has the most diverse and explicit portfolio of models who use the platform to stream.

When you get to the Chaturbate home page, you’ll be greeted with various thumbnails of women or scenes. That’s your sneak peek for what is to come when you actually click on one of these images. Immediately you’ll be launched into a wonderfully raunchy cam show completely free of charge. At first blush, it looks like most of these cam girls are doing solo shows, but once you take a deeper dive, you’ll find couples, threesomes, and other unique and interesting live shows to choose from. You can also search for shows by filtering by the huge list of categories or tags. Though busy looking, Chaturbate is very easy to navigate and explore with so many live feeds to watch for free.

You’re probably wondering if Chaturbate is completely free. The answer to that is both yes and no. While you can enter any live show for free, you are really walking into a teaser of sorts. The women on Chaturbate are trying to get you to eventually pay for a private show, which is what most people want anyway. We will admit though that the teasers are often very explicit and can usually get the job done before you even grab your wallet.

You likely will reach for your credit card though, because Chaturbate is famous for delivering satisfying one-on-one shows. They operate on a token system. As you spend more time watching the show, your tokens will begin to dwindle.

Pros:

AffordableBest cam site availableGreat one-on-one performancesYou get a lot out of a free account

Cons:

Most models need to reach a certain token amount before they fully perform

Check out our complete Chaturbate review if you’re looking for more info.

4. Flirt4Free: Intuitive search function available

When you visit Flirt4Free you might be inclined to believe that it’s a site like Chaturbate where tons of amateur models can stream their sexual activities. However, Flirt4Free is for the pros. These are seasoned pornstars who deliver gratifying shows to a very hungry audience. And Flirt4Free knows how to give the viewers what they want because it’s been around for so long.

Flirt4Free is certainly one of the most intuitive sex cam sites available because you are able to filter the models on this site by kink and fetish, like BDSM or couples. If you find a model that you particularly love, you can also take a look at their schedule so that you never miss a show.

Flirt4Free might reel in newcomers with the “F” word (free), but cam site enthusiasts know that you’ll end up paying at some point. To their credit though, Flirt4Free allows you to watch public streams and get information about the performers. Private shows will drive you to pay for tokens so that you can direct the lovely cam girl who you’ve chosen to watch. Performers decide their own price-per-minute, so keep an eye out for that before you end up breaking the bank.

Pros:

Free public showsTons of filtering optionsProfessional, pornstar-quality models

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structure

5. LiveJasmin: Known for having stunning models

The most noteworthy thing to say about LiveJasmin is that the women on this site are drop dead gorgeous. They are diverse, in shape, stunning, manicured, and all around perfect cam girls. You will notice this the minute you hop onto the home page. It looks extremely put together, modern, and professional.

These women don’t seem to be filming themselves from dimly lit bedrooms. Instead, it feels like a whole studio operation with professional porn stars. This is a pro for most, but some viewers enjoy that amateurish feel. If you are into the amateur stuff, then steer clear of LiveJasmin because it’s all top notch here. LiveJasmin is full of very recognizable and famous cam girl faces. That’s what makes it one of the best cam sites around.

Other than the beautiful stars and modern interface, there’s not much about LiveJasmin that makes it stand out (except for the fact that they have a nice mobile option, but who wants to watch a cam girl on their cell phone?). It’s set up like many other cam sites and takes you through the same process and the features are the same. A nice perk though is the fact that LiveJasmin caters to every type of gender and sexuality, giving it a distinctly diverse library of models and streams to choose from.

Pros:

Beautiful recognizable modelsMobile optionRange of genders, sexualities, and kinks

Cons:

No amateur option

6.  MyFreeCams: Actual free shows

For those of you shopping for cam sites on a budget, there’s no better site for you than MyFreeCams, also known as Jerk N’ Cum. Yes, the shows on this site are actually free. This is obviously the biggest perk that MyFreeCams has to offer.

Because it’s free and the models don’t charge you to watch their shows, you might be skeptical of the quality but you truly have nothing to worry about. The women on MyFreeCams are as skilled as they are gorgeous. They are also down to get into some very kinky activity, which is why you’re watching cam girls in the first place!

The one thing that you can’t really access on this site is private chat or one-on-one video sessions. But what can you really expect from a cam site that doesn’t cost you a dime? You can of course purchase tokens on MyFreeCams and try your luck asking one of the models for a private show, but it’s not very likely to happen. These models are used to the dynamic of the site and aren’t normally willing to make an exception for anyone. These models also aren’t the most responsive to requests in their chat box. That’s potentially because it’s oversaturated with guys like you asking them to do a million different things. If you’re OK with just being a voyeur for free, MyFreeCams is a fantastic budget-friendly option for you.

If you decide that you’d like to pay for MyFreeCams because you can afford to or you’ve got extra cash lying around, you will be given the keys to their entire library of cam girl archives. You can check out their old videos. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but there are folks out there wholove it.

Pros:

Genuinely freeFantastic performances

Cons:

Can’t view private shows

7.  ImLive: Old-school cam site featuring couples

ImLive is the granddaddy of cam sites. It’s been around for almost 20 years and has managed to continue to captivate viewers with the changing times. ImLive is a streaming site where models and couples perform sex shows for their audiences. There’s not much more to it. However, not all sex cam sites offer couples shows, so if you like watching two people get it on then ImLive is your best bet.

The pay structure at ImLive gives you options, which is a definite plus. You can either pay by the minute or send models tips. There are also plenty of models and shows to choose from, so you’ll never have a dull moment on this popular cam site.

Yes, ImLive dubs itself a free cam site, but we know what that really means. You can watch archived shows for free, but the live goods are going to cost you. The shows are usually worth it, but don’t expect a ton of interaction from the models. They tend to fall short in their personal relationships with viewers and fans; however, the shows themselves are a treat to watch.

Pros:

Great for watching couplesDifferent payment optionsFree archived shows

Cons:

The models aren’t very interactive

8.  CamSoda: Cam girls with the best personalities

CamSoda operates like most cam sites do. There are free rooms that you can enter to view live adult cam shows, but if you want the women to do anything specific during the show, you will need to spend. However, CamSoda is really affordable. This is because the models don’t charge you per minute. It’s based solely on your donations.

The one drawback to CamSoda is their pricing structure. Most cam sites will allow you to enter free cam shows, but not before informing you of what you should tip the model or what each naughty activity costs. Getting a girl to perform a desired sexual act is going to require linking up with the other guys in the chat and pooling that money until the model’s “goal” is reached. Each model comes up with a different money goal per show and tries to seduce the viewers into paying up. You can’t blame them; camming is their job.

Private shows aren’t really a thing on CamSoda. However, the models on this cam site are very interactive. They actually pay a lot of attention to the chat as their show is live and they make you feel like you are actually in the room with them while they are performing. People have complained before that some models on CamSoda talk too much or spend too much time replying to their fans.

Pros:

Interactive models with personalityCaters to a variety of fetishes

Cons:

The models don’t list their prices per naughty activity

9.  Cams.com: Cam site with a teledildonics option

Cams.com is one of the more unique and advanced cam sites on this list. You might not know it by just visiting their website because initially, it looks like your average cam site. There are free shows that you can enter and you have the ability to filter by model, body type, and gender. This is one of the few sex cam sites that contains female shows in addition to male shows, trans shows, and nonbinary shows. We find that to be a huge plus as it caters to a much wider audience of viewers.

Cams.com is not only ahead of the game in terms of their diversity, but they are also very technologically advanced. If you are someone who watches a lot of VR porn, you are familiar with the term teledildonics. In VR, teledildonics are bluetooth sex toys that synch up to what you are watching. For the purposes of cams, it allows you to control the sex toy that the performer is using, which is insanely cool and futuristic! It brings an entirely new level to cam shows and makes you feel like you are intimately interacting with a model right there in the room with them.

This cam site is one where you have to pay by the minute, which can get really pricey if you plan on spending a lot of time on the site. Yes, there are free shows, but they aren’t all that good. It’s worth checking out the paid ones though because of all the unique features.

Pros:

Teledildonics!Advanced search functionDiverse models

Cons:

If you aren’t in it for the teledildonics, there are better options

10.  XCams: Diverse Euro models

XCams is a special cam site for folks who have eyes for European cam models. They flourish on XCams, though it’s a lesser-known site than the rest. It’s surprising that it flies under the radar because there are always so many models available at any given time for anyone to watch.

Diversity is the name of the game over at XCams. While they feature tons of Europeans, these models are really diverse in their backgrounds, performance styles, and kinks that they love to get into. It’s fun to browse through the thumbnails of videos on the XCams homepage because you get a peek at all the unique shows they have to offer.

Each model decides what you’ll pay for a show. Before you commit, you’ll be shown a preview, told where the model is from, and told how many credits you’ll need to pay for your time. You will get 25 free credits just for signing up, which will give you about five minutes on average.

Pros:

Beautiful diverse cam girlsVery kinkyGreat previews for private shows

Cons:

Models operate on an expensive price-per-minute structureSmall amount of free credits when you sign up

11.  Streamate: Most options

If you’re after quantity, Streammate is a good option. There are literally thousands of models online at any given time when you head over to the site. It doesn’t matter if it’s during your 12 PM lunch break or after midnight, this site is always busy. It’s the cam site that never sleeps.

The Streamate performers also love to please. Truthfully, it’s because they want to be tipped well, but you can rest assured that any model you watch on Streamate will work very hard to earn your affection. They are very engaging, personable, and (of course) sexy.

Streamate is a no-frills site that takes you straight to the action. It doesn’t need all the bells and whistles because it provides a large amount of really great shows. You can use their simple and intuitive search function to filter your options, making Streamate one of the easiest sex cam sites to navigate. And their filtering options get really specific, so you can find exactly what turns you on. There is also a “Newcomer” section for the viewers who love to watch fresh talent or want to discover new models.

Pros:

Thousands of models to choose fromAmateurs and professionals available

Cons:

This site has a lot of annoying adsOutdated web design

12.  LuckyCrush: A combo of a cam site and Chatroulette

LuckyCrush is a cam girl site that randomly matches you with flirty ladies. It’s newer, but it has managed to attract millions of users on a monthly basis. People like to say that LuckyCrush is a healthy mix of a cam site and a random chat site like Chatroulette. It’s probably what you wished Chatroulette could be when you were too young to know about cam sites. Men and women are randomly paired for an erotic video chat.

LuckyCrush is confident in its unique model, which is why it offers first-time male visitors a brief free trial. After that, you will need to purchase credits to enjoy the site. Women come to LuckyCrush hoping to make money, so stocking up a little bit will do you some good.

Because LuckyCrush is totally random, you might be paired up with a hottie who is on the other side of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t speak her language. LuckyCrush has a built-in translation feature that makes it easy to communicate with models from all over the world. It’s an exciting approach to cam shows.

Pros:

Personally meet models from all over the worldExclusively private shows

Cons:

You can’t filter or searchNot for everyone

13.  StripChat: Interactive stripteases

StripChat is a cam site with some special perks. On the surface, it’s a way to view beautiful live stripteases performed by stunning models. Some of them just like to strip and others take it up a notch by displaying naughty activities. In that regard, it’s a little different from your average sex cam site. You can check out the videos for free and tip the models, like you normally would. These tips are given in the form of tokens, which you will need to purchase beforehand.

The women on StripChat are not amateurs. They are women who seem to fit right into the porn industry. They really know what they are doing and they are fantastic at putting on a show for an audience. This is also a site that sadly caters exclusively to the male gaze. In other words, there isn’t any real gender diversity unless you head over to their couples section. However, everything, including the lesbian scenes, seems to be shot exclusively for purely heterosexual males.

What separates StripChat from the crowd is their VR feature. Now, if you don’t have a pair of VR goggles, you are going to want to stop reading because this next part is going to make you really jealous. StripChat’s VR function allows you to throw on a headset and opt in for a private show from one of their pretty performers. It takes live interaction to new heights and is a deeply satisfying cam experience. The videos are in HD, so you won’t miss a thing!

Pros:

HD stripteasesVR featuresProfessional cam girls

Cons:

Sometimes, you only get a striptease

14.  BongaCams: Affordable, transparent

On the surface, BongaCams likes to pretend that it’s a free cam site full of women, couples, and trans people. If you’ve made it this far in reading cam reviews, you won’t be surprised to learn that every site is going to squeeze some coin out of you at some point. That’s just how these things work. But BongaCams isn’t going to suck you dry by charging per minute. Their models make a living based on their tips, and you are going to eventually want to tip them through the token payment structure.

The good thing about the BongaCams pricing setup is that there are really no surprises. When you enter a free live show, you are shown a list of the models prices per a given activity. For instance, erotic play between two beautiful lesbian models might cost you 100 tokens. You’ll be informed of everything up front, which helps you figure out which shows are worth watching based on your personal preference and what you can afford. You can also try your luck at jumping into a show and mooching off the other viewers who will send tips, but it might test your patience.

BongaCams delivers incredible shows but doesn’t provide many private show options. In the end, BongaCams is a pretty predictable cam site with a token system and great performers. You’ll find a lot of new girls on this site too, because it’s very welcoming to girls who want to get into camming for the first time.

Pros:

Very transparent about priceGreat site design

Cons:

Not great for private shows

15.  BabeStation: Huge UK cam site

BabeStation has been around for nearly two decades and is the biggest cam site for UK models. Of all the cam sites, BabeStation is not one that you want to breeze past because it has a lot to offer.

Most sites that have been around for as long as BabeStation have pretty much nailed the cam girl experience. This will become clear to you immediately upon visiting the site. Rather than staring at a bunch of thumbnails, you’ll be plopped into a live show right away. You can of course exit and search for a show that’s a bit more your flavor, but it’s nice to know that you can freely view HD cam shows from the jump.

One thing that BabeStation is missing is an easy way for new visitors to browse and filter. Most of the models are great, but this site isn’t designed to cater to unique fetishes because it’s hard to navigate. Some of the performers are also a little dry. They will sometimes just keep their camera on while they go about mundane tasks, which is more of a voyeuristic experience than an interactive cam show.

BabeStation does offer a ton of promotions at any given time, making it feel very affordable when you decide that you do want to tip a model.

Pros:

Biggest UK cam siteCan actually watch shows for free

Cons:

Not an easy site to navigateSome performers lack engagement or personality

How to Have the Best Adult Cam Site Experience

If you’re brand new to cam sites, you might feel a bit lost. There are a lot of them, and they’re not all worth your time. Check out the following four tips to ensure that you end up on the best sites and have a great experience. 

Browse before you buy

Do you buy a car without test driving it? Do you buy a house without seeing it first? When it comes to spending your hard-earned money, it’s always good to avoid wasting it. And a good way to throw away your money is to start spending a ton of it on cam sites.

Your best bet is to browse around some of the top cam sites before you sign up for any subscriptions, premium memberships, etc. Many cam sites can even be browsed for free—even the biggest one, Chaturbate. So, it’s recommended to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the various sites out there before spending any cash. 

Privilege quality over quantity

There are some sites with thousands of cam models who are active at any given time. Yet, all those choices may be overwhelming, and it might feel like finding a needle in a haystack to find something of high quality. So, you might be better off finding a site with fewer models but with a higher percentage of fun and engaged and attractive ones.

That said, the biggest cam sites like Chaturbate give you different filtering options and the default is to show you the cammers with the largest number of viewers. This generally means that you can find high quality content without having to look too far. 

Stick to the big names

Camming has exploded in recent years. As you might expect, there’s been a lot of people trying to get a slice of the pie. Tons of cam sites have popped up, and not all of them are created equal—in fact, it’s not even close.

To avoid getting scammed and wasting your money and/or time, stick to the biggest names in the camming world—sites like Chaturbate and MyFreeCams, for example. 

Participate to maximize the experience

Cam sites are all about participation. This is what inherently separates them from regular porn sites. If no one participated—neither chatting nor giving any tips—the cam site wouldn’t exist. The models depend on tips for it to be worth their while, and the chatting helps keep things fun and engaging. 

So, don’t be shy to participate. You might find that it really enhances your overall experience, especially if you tip to get into private shows. Otherwise, you might as well just stick to regular porn. 

Read More