How Kristen Bell Sex Scene in Netflix Series Left Viewers Traumatized

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Kristen Bell is one of the more interesting actresses in Hollywood.

Born and raised in a suburb of Detroit, Michigan, in 1980, Bell began her acting aspirations by performing in school plays, such as her high school’s production of The Wizard of Oz.

She eventually opted to attend New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and study musical theatre there.

Bell didn’t end up finishing her degree at New York University, however, and decided to instead play the role of Becky Thatcher in a Broadway musical production of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Kristen Bell starred with Anne Heche in the 2004 American drama film Gracie's Choice: A Story of Love and was 23 years old when the movie was released on January 12, 2004Kristen Bell starred with Anne Heche in the 2004 American drama film Gracie’s Choice: A Story of Love and was 23 years old when the movie was released on January 12, 2004 (Credit: Warner Home Video)

She received some acclaim for her starring role in Gracie’s Choice, a Lifetime film released in 2004 when Bell was 23 years old.

Her breakthrough role occurred shortly after when she played the titular role in Veronica Mars, a CW series that initially lasted for three seasons.

She turned down an offer to appear in the show Lost and instead appeared in twelve episodes of the popular show Heroes in 2007. She gained further notoriety for playing the titular character in Forgetting Sarah Marshall in 2008.

Kristen Bell started as Elle Bishop on the American psychological thriller superhero series Heroes, which aired on NBC from 2006 to 2010Kristen Bell started as Elle Bishop on the American psychological thriller superhero series Heroes, which aired on NBC from 2006 to 2010 (Credit: NBC)

Overall, Kristen Bell remains somewhat of a contradiction as far as Hollywood actresses go. She has the beauty and star quality of a leading woman but retains the comedic aptitude of a character actress.

Her insistence on comedic roles with her lead role as Eleanor Shellstrop in The Good Place and later with her lead role as Anna Whitaker in The Woman in the House Across the Street From the Girl in the Window (TWHATFGW, for short), which has quickly become known for one steamy scene in particular.

The Kristen Bell Sex Scene that Lit the Internet on Fire

TWHATFGW is black-comedy series that acts as a parody of popular murder mystery stories, such as The Woman in the Window (2021), a film based on the popular 2018 novel by author A.J. Finn, and The Girl on the Train (2015), a similar novel by Paula Hawkins.

Kristen Bell as painter Anna Whitaker in the American miniseries The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the WindowKristen Bell as painter Anna Whitaker in the American miniseries The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window (Credit: Netflix)

In classic Kristen Bell style, the film is a somewhat uneven mix of drama and comedy, often too confusing and off-kilter results.

In the miniseries (which is eight episodes in length), Kristen Bell plays Anna Whitaker, a painter who’s struggling with the untimely death of her 8-year-old daughter. She reads murder mystery novels and drinks frequently, mixing alcohol with her prescription medication.

After witnessing the murder of her neighbor, she takes it upon herself to act as a detective and solve the crime.

The sex scene that shocked the internet takes place during the fifth episode of the show and involves Anna and a character named Rex (played by Benjamin Levy Aguilar).

 Kristen's Bell's character, Anna, has passionate sex with Rex, played by Benjamin Levy Aguilar, throughout her entire home Kristen’s Bell’s character, Anna, has passionate sex with Rex, played by Benjamin Levy Aguilar, throughout her entire home (Credit: Netflix)

The scene is parodic in nature but also extremely explicit. Audiences were shocked by the graphic nature of the scene, which has Bell vigorously having sex with Aguilar all across her house, from the staircase to the shower and up against a window.

Despite being comedic in nature, the scene still managed to shock a lot of audiences, who took to Twitter to discuss its raciness, with one tweeter stating, “Just watched Kristen Bell get absolutely RAILED with my girlfriend and my mom in the same room…”, to which Bell replied, “Hahahahaha sorry dude.”

Kristen Bell wears a red puffer jacket and pleated pants by Nanushka when arriving for a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!Kristen Bell wears a red puffer jacket and pleated pants by Nanushka when arriving for a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on January 25, 2022, in Los Angeles, California (Credit: BauerGriffin / INSTARimages)

All in all, it seems as though TWHATFGW is somewhat of a mixed bag in terms of its drastic tonal shifts and confusing thematic presence.

Some viewers seemingly don’t “get it,” but that may be because the show doesn’t make it obvious enough to understand!

Kristen Bell curls her short blonde hair at the 2016 NBCUniversal Upfront PresentationKristen Bell curls her short blonde hair at the 2016 NBCUniversal Upfront Presentation held on May 16, 2016, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / C.Smith / WENN)

In May 2016, Kristen Bell brought some old-fashioned charm to the NBCUniversal Upfront Presentation held in New York City.

The blonde star was there to promote The Good Place, an American fantasy comedy television series that premiered on NBC on September 19, 2016.

Kristen Bell wears a Philosophy Di Lorenzo dress to an NBCUniversal eventKristen Bell wears a Philosophy Di Lorenzo dress to an NBCUniversal event (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / C.Smith / WENN)

Kristen risked appearing overly demure in a loose A-line dress with long cuffed bell sleeves, a midi-length hemline, and a high neckline.

Luckily, the sheer fabric and red embroidered pattern of her Philosophy Di Lorenzo dress gave her ensemble an added edge.

Kristen Bell wears a demure red embroidered Philosophy Di Lorenzo dress on the blue carpetKristen Bell wears a demure red embroidered Philosophy Di Lorenzo dress on the blue carpet (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / C.Smith / WENN)

The then-35-year-old actress wore her short golden bob in soft waves and wore rosy makeup to keep things classy.

For her feet, she chose a pair of popular black “So Kate” pumps by Christian Louboutin, which matched the matronly vibes of her dress.

Kristen Bell's feet in black leather Christian Louboutin pumpsKristen Bell’s feet in black leather Christian Louboutin pumps (Credit: Ivan Nikolov / C.Smith / WENN)

These towering heels are made of black leather and feature pointed toes and five-inch heels. You can check them out in various colors and fabrics at Nordstrom, Ssense, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Mytheresa.

Christian Louboutin So Kate Pumps BlackChristian Louboutin “So Kate” Pumps in Black Leather, $675.00