Shame is a 2011 drama film directed by Steve McQueen and stars Michael Fassbender as Brandon Sullivan, a successful executive living in New York City who is addicted to sex. The film explores Brandon's compulsive behavior and the consequences of his addiction on his personal and professional life.
As the film opens, Brandon is shown engaging in various sexual encounters - from anonymous hookups in alleyways to paid escorts and pornographic websites. However, he maintains an emotional distance from all of his partners, including a coworker with whom he has occasional sex.
Things become complicated when Brandon's younger sister, Sissy (played by Carey Mulligan), unexpectedly shows up at his apartment and asks to stay with him for a while. Sissy is a struggling singer and has a history of self-destructive behavior, which causes tension between the siblings.
Throughout the film, the audience learns about Brandon and Sissy's traumatic childhood and the impact it had on their adult lives. As they confront their past, Brandon's addiction becomes more extreme, leading to risky sexual behavior and negative consequences at work.
Shame explores themes such as addiction, intimacy, and family trauma with explicit and provocative scenes. Fassbender and Mulligan's performance received critical acclaim with Fassbender winning the Volpi Cup for Best Actor at the Venice Film Festival.