Work: Xconfessions Vol 34 Erika Lust Films 2023 We

Meta-commentary is embedded in the frame. By 2023, the discourse around “hustle culture” and “work-life balance” had reached a fever pitch. Lust cleverly reflects this back onto the performers themselves. The characters are acutely aware they are performing—not for a camera, but for each other’s professional approval.

There is a moment of brilliant tension where a character asks, “Is this productive?” mid-embrace. It is a line that could be jarring, but in Lust’s hands, it becomes the thesis. The film argues that modern desire is often mediated by the language of productivity. We have learned to eroticize efficiency, collaboration, and even the stress of deadlines. Vol. 34 does not judge this; it explores the release valve when that professional tension becomes unbearable.

For the uninitiated, XConfessions is the award-winning crowdsourced series where Lust takes anonymous confessions from the public (submitted via her website) and turns them into high-end, ethical cinema. xconfessions vol 34 erika lust films 2023 we work

Volume 34 pulls from the depths of our collective psyche, but “We Work” hits differently. The original confession likely came from someone who spends 40+ hours a week in a glass box. It taps into that specific, secret tension of the modern workplace: the frustration, the intellectual attraction, and the sheer audacity of doing something forbidden while a Slack notification pings in the background.

The film opens in a sleek, modern, but sterile open-plan office after hours. Two professionals—Alex (played by Adam Ramzi) and Jordan (played by Misha Hart)—are the only ones left. They are not boss/assistant; both are mid-level creatives working on a joint presentation. The lighting is dim, blue-toned, and realistic, emphasizing the isolation. Meta-commentary is embedded in the frame

The dialogue is sparse but natural: frustrated sighs, a shared joke about the vending machine coffee, a lingering glance. Tension builds through small gestures—Alex stretching her neck, Jordan loosening his tie. When the presentation is finally sent, there’s a beat of anticlimax. Then Jordan says, “I don’t want to go home yet.” Alex replies, “Then don’t.”

What follows is not a dramatic seduction but an organic escalation: a kiss against the copier machine, a mutual undressing without power games, and a raw, passionate encounter on a glass conference table. The scene is shot with Erika Lust’s signature female-gaze aesthetics—close-ups on hands gripping the table, sweat on skin, genuine laughter when something awkward happens (a chair nearly tips over). The characters are acutely aware they are performing—not

Before diving into We Work, it’s essential to understand its context. XConfessions is an ongoing, crowd-sourced erotic film series created by acclaimed indie adult filmmaker Erika Lust. Each volume is based on two anonymous confessions submitted by the public via the XConfessions website. Members vote on their favorite confessions, and Lust turns the most compelling ones into short films. Vol. 34, released in 2023, continues this tradition of blending authentic desire, cinematic quality, and social commentary.

Let’s be honest: most films set in an office are either soul-crushing dramas about TPS reports or glossy rom-coms where the biggest risk is a spilled latte. But in the world of Erika Lust, the office is a playground. A pressure cooker. And in her latest release, XConfessions Vol. 34, it becomes a stage for one of the most intriguing power dynamics of the year.

The standout chapter of this volume is undoubtedly “We Work” (2023). And no, this isn't a documentary about overpriced coworking spaces and free kombucha. It is something far more seductive: a genuine exploration of what happens when ambition, boredom, and desire collide under fluorescent lights.

What separates this film from the amateur "casting couch" genre is the authenticity of the performers. Erika Lust is a pioneer of ethical porn, meaning fair wages, enthusiastic consent, and real pleasure. In “We Work,” you don't see performative moaning or awkward gymnastics. You see chemistry. You see the laughter that happens when someone knocks over a pencil holder. You see the intimacy of undressing someone who has only ever seen you in business casual.