The Top 10 Porn Scenes From October: PornCrush critic Andrew Curse ranks the best studio content from the past month

Gizelle Blanco honored as Performer of the Month; top studio, newcomer, and surging star also lauded

By Andrew Curse

Nov 3, 2025 • 24 min read

October was a month of contrast — of restraint meeting release, polish meeting chaos, and intimacy taking as many forms as pleasure itself. Some scenes leaned into emotional storytelling, exploring how connection and anticipation could make even a first time feel monumental, while others embraced excess and energy, using lighting, clever choreography, and bold styling to turn pure carnality into art. Directors found beauty in warmth and proximity, from the golden hues of lesbian passion to the dim, flickering glow of voyeuristic setups, while performers laughed, teased, commanded, and surrendered.

At PornCrush, our Top 10 isn’t just about the most prominent stars or studios, but about the scenes that made the most out of the girls — that pushed the envelope instead of sticking to the basics. These are the ones where lighting, camera work, and direction come together to enhance what was already there: hot performers doing their thing. We’re talking about smart angles, flattering positions, and visual storytelling that knows how to frame the body — whether that means showcasing a girl’s best features or compensating for what the eye might miss on its own.

Some of these scenes are marked by great energy and pacing; others impress with the thought that went into making the sex look and feel realistic. A girl doesn’t need to have the roundest butt in the industry if the camera knows how to shape it — or the most sculpted thighs if she knows how to position herself. This list rewards direction, chemistry, aesthetics, and effort.

This list is also unbiased. A scene doesn’t make the cut just because it features a girl we like — if anything, that raises the bar. When we know what a performer is capable of, we expect the scene to push her to that level. The same goes for genres. Lesbian, DP, and anal may carry built-in appeal, but novelty alone isn’t enough. We’re not here to reward a threesome just because it exists, or a girl-girl scene just because the girls are pretty. What matters is how the scene uses its elements. Does it elevate the performer? Is it shot with purpose? Does it deliver on the genre’s full potential? That’s the lens we apply when building this list.

No. 1: “The Thirty Night Stand” – Jewel Diamant and Ryan McLane, BellesaFilms

Portraying an intimate yet intense first time is a tricky balancing act. It demands tenderness without losing erotic energy, and passion without sacrificing emotional truth. The Thirty Night Stand tackles that challenge head-on through the story of Jewel Diamant and Ryan McLane — a couple who’ve waited weeks to take that next step finally. Date nights, soft kisses, and quiet moments that never go further. When she finally invites him to stay over, she insists she’s still not ready — but their chemistry says otherwise. The setup becomes a test of how to film something that feels deeply personal without dulling its erotic charge.

Technically, Bellesa and director Jacky St. James do a remarkable job of translating that emotion into visual form. The scene’s warm, dim lighting instantly evokes a sense of comfort and intimacy, while also reflecting the heat that’s been simmering between them. The runtime also makes complete sense: only half of the thirty minutes is devoted to sex, while foreplay is given a lot of screen time — two realistic decisions in a scenario like this.

Even the choreography reinforces this sense of closeness. Instead of being arranged for visibility, the positions are designed to preserve connection — bodies pressed together, faces close, movements that flow naturally. Cowgirl is filmed from the side, so both of their expressions stay in frame. In doggy, the camera lingers on Jewel’s reactions rather than the act itself, letting the sound and rhythm carry the intensity. It’s a scene that finds beauty not in exposure but in proximity — with another plot, perhaps this wouldn’t quite work, but it does here.

Full scene review:

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No. 2: “Busty Blonde Angel Rides Katrina’s Hungry Mouth” – Angel Youngs and Katrina Colt, Slayed

For a long time, Slayed built its reputation on pairing intense lesbian chemistry with high-concept, luxurious sets that elevated the experience — spaces that felt textured and distinct from one another. Each scene carried its own identity, whether framed by sleek industrial lighting, retro monitors, or atmospheric gyms, giving viewers a sense that every encounter was part of a crafted world. Recently, though, that aesthetic ambition has softened. The studio’s newer releases tend to favor simpler, more uniform environments — such as clean bedrooms or minimalist interiors — and the lighting follows a similarly stripped-down approach. While the scenes are still well-performed, they often lack the quality that has always made Slayed stand apart.

Busty Blonde Angel Rides Katrina’s Hungry Mouth marks a return to Slayed’s visual artistry, showing how powerful the right setting can be in shaping a scene’s mood. Here, the studio setup isn’t meant to be simple; it’s purposefully stylized to reflect the world of modeling, complete with soft backdrops, draped fabrics, and glowing key lights that feel straight out of a fashion shoot. There’s also a golden radiance that washes over both Angel and Katrina, imbuing them with a sun-kissed warmth that creates subtle highlights that glide across their skin, bringing out the natural tones of their hair. If you didn’t know better, you’d think this was one of the original Slayed scenes from back then.

The setup becomes the perfect stage for them, and their chemistry ignites instantly. You can feel it in the way they kiss — mouths locked with deepening hunger as their bodies move in sync, almost as if they’re trying to melt into one another. Even during the brief transitions, they refuse to disconnect, keeping the physical dialogue alive through every brush of thigh, every grind of hip, every trail of lips tracing along the other’s neck. And the trademark crystal-clear close-ups? Whether it’s Angel fingering Katrina or especially the brunette rimming the blonde in a piledriver position, it’s a magnificent sight that few scenes ever achieve.

No. 3: “Cute Blonde Hotwife Lilly Deep Throats BBC” – Lilly Bell and Chocolate Rod, BlackedRaw

BlackedRaw has always had a signature look — that single roaming light, the glistening skin against pitch-black rooms. It’s a style that can make even the most straightforward setup feel cinematic. But in Cute Blonde Hotwife Lilly Bell Deep Throats BBC, something felt off from the start. The lighting that usually flatters ended up betraying the scene: the highlights ran too hot, washing out Lilly’s porcelain skin and exaggerating patches of red around her cheeks and neck. What should’ve been soft and glowing came out harsh and uneven, as if the exposure had been nudged a little too far. For a studio that usually nails the aesthetic side, it was a rare misfire — the kind that risks making a good scene look worse than it is before anyone even presses play.

Once the intro unfolds, though, it becomes clear what the scene is all about — a hotwifing setup that actually uses its premise instead of hiding behind it. The opening conversation between Lilly and her husband sets the tone, but it wouldn’t shine as bright without her turning directly toward the camera. She’s talking to her husband, but she’s also talking to the viewer. That duality makes the fantasy hit harder, and it’s something that fits her perfectly. Lilly has that rare, grounded sensuality — her voice, low and raspy, carries a kind of casual confidence, and her eye contact bridges the space between performer and audience.

The scene’s voyeuristic setup gives the camera access to Lilly’s expressions, catching details you wouldn’t normally see — even in angles that usually hide her face, like in cowgirl. But it’s during the blowjob portions that this perspective really shines. BlackedRaw always keeps the camera close during oral, but here that closeness feels alive, shaped entirely by how Lilly uses her eyes. She locks on to the lens with the kind of composure that’s erotic and oddly sincere, her tears catching the light as she pushes the cock deeper down her throat. When she looks up, those blue eyes seem almost to glow in the dark room, reflecting the ring light like liquid glass. It’s hypnotic.

That same presence carries through in reverse cowgirl and missionary, where she refuses to give up on her own pleasure. By the time it ends — with her licking her palm clean and flashing a playful smile — it feels like she’s reclaimed the scene entirely. Whatever went wrong with the lighting, she makes it right through sheer force of charisma.

Full scene review:

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No. 4: “Living Life on the Edge” – Diana Grace and Gizelle Blanco, Lez Be Bad

When it comes to edging scenes, the torture aspect is often a big part of the appeal — but Living Life on the Edge celebrates the fun of it, that sweet, aching tension between pleasure and restraint. Gizelle Blanco plays a competitive cyclist who thrives on adrenaline and brings that same restless energy into the bedroom, always eager to jump straight to the climax. But Diana Grace, ever the composed girlfriend, reins her in with a knowing smile and the mischievous idea of edging.

Even before the clothes come off, Diana’s slow unzipping of Gizelle’s tracksuit and gentle nipple teasing turn foreplay into a delicious spectacle of control. When she starts rubbing Gizelle’s pussy through her shorts, you can almost feel the pulse of release that never quite comes — capped perfectly by Gizelle’s breathless laugh and her line, “Hey, that’s so evil,” which captures exactly what makes the scene so entertaining. It’s a laughing fest that makes everything playful, erotic, and genuinely fun.

The scene’s awareness of how to frame them is also worthy of praise. The positions are arranged to feel both natural and revealing, with one girl often positioned behind or alongside the other — a choice that keeps their bodies close, with constant interaction between pussy and breasts, while ensuring full visual access to every touch and reaction. They eventually grab a magic wand, and by that point, it goes without saying that it must have been nearly impossible for either of them to hold their cum.

No. 5: “Wife’s Anal Role Play Plan” – Lydia Black and Ian Scott, Evil Angel

Wife’s Anal Role Play Plan is one of those scenes where everything just clicks — from concept to execution. Lydia Black plays a wife who’s reached her breaking point with Ian Scott’s neglect. After confronting him about his indifference and discovering his infidelity, she decides to take control. Rather than leave, she proposes a new kind of intimacy — asking him to treat her like his “little whore” instead of his wife. Soon, she’s dropping to her knees, ready to reclaim attention the only way she knows how.

The styling alone elevates the setup. Lydia looks exquisite in her houndstooth outfit and natural curls, exuding the kind of confident sensuality that perfectly foreshadows the red harness lingerie she later reveals. The choice of that piece is brilliant in its own right, as it accentuates her curves and becomes part of the composition — further complemented by her tan lines and the natural beauty of her bush.

As the action builds, the straps naturally guide the eye, framing her ass through standing doggy, pronebone, and cowgirl, each one using the harness as an erotic visual anchor. Across twelve positions and with standout anal and oral displays, the scene gives the underrated Lydia every opportunity to dominate.

No. 6: “Young Slut Mia River Gets the BBC Stretch of Her Life” – Mia River and Hollywood Cash, JulesJordan

At this point, sensual intros have become a JulesJordan trademark. The viewer comes in expecting the usual slow burn — the girl teasing the camera, flaunting her body to the rhythm of a sultry track, building anticipation before any real action begins. That’s why Young Slut Mia River Gets the BBC Stretch of Her Life catches you off guard right away. There’s no lead-up, no coy glances or playful striptease. From the very first frame, Mia is already jerking Hollywood Cash off, instantly dropping us into the heat of it.

As the direction reveals itself, though, you start to notice where the real attention lies: her ass. The camera lingers on it every chance it gets — the way her cheeks peek out from the edges of her tiny shorts, the way the framing shifts behind her during a blowjob, intentionally leaving the cock out of view just to spotlight the curve of her backside. It’s a subtle but deliberate setup, signaling that Mia’s ass is about to become the visual centerpiece of the entire scene.

It begins with missionary — a position usually centered on tits and pussy. But rather than solely framing those, the camera finds beauty in the curve of her hips as she’s folded back on the couch, her cheeks tensing as Cash thrusts into her. And then the momentum only builds from there. When he lifts her into a stand-and-carry position, it’s not just about the acrobatics — the move turns Mia’s body into a living sculpture, her ass in full display as she goes up and down in the air. Even doggy gets a tweak, adjusted so she can deepen her arch while he blocks as little of the view as possible. But make no mistake — positions where the focus shifts elsewhere prove just as mesmerizing.

No. 7: “Let’s Try Some Dick Together” – Daisy Phoenix, Tess Thompson, and Parker Ambrose, CumSwappingSis

Let’s Try Some Dick Together is classic CumSwappingSis — the kind of over-the-top premise the studio executes with just the right mix of absurdity and charm. Daisy Phoenix and Tess Thompson begin exploring their relationship in bed, transitioning from tender make-out sessions to a playful 69. But according to Tess, there’s one thing missing from their new arrangement: cum. This is where Daisy’s stepbrother, Parker Ambrose, comes in — soon becoming their designated cum dispenser. The studio uses clever compositions to set it all up: wide shots of Daisy spying through the doorway, close-ups from over the other two’s shoulders, and even glimpses that mimic her point of view. Parker’s stunned reaction when the girls start talking about “wanting his cum” is also comedic gold.

There’s also this sense of cooperation that develops between them. Early on, during their 69, they exchange the line, “I love eating your pussy.” It sounds like standard porn dialogue, but as the scene unfolds, it starts to feel more genuine as they’re constantly touching, teasing, and seeking each other’s pleasure. The best example comes near the end: Daisy is lying on her back with Parker fucking her in missionary while Tess sits on her face. Tess could easily stay there and chase her own orgasm, but instead she climbs off, says, “I want to make you cum,” and goes straight for Daisy’s clit. She uses three fingers to rub her until it’s clear Daisy’s about to climax. The way Tess and Parker glance at each other — smiling as they sense it coming — adds a layer of real chemistry that’s completely fulfilling.

To top it off, the scene simply looks fantastic. Both lighting and color correction flatter every skin tone, giving them a vibrant glow that makes the image feel alive — crisp, bright, and vivid without ever slipping into the sterile sheen of many productions out there. It feels like a deliberate upgrade, and the girls only benefit from that.

No. 8: “My Sexy Stepsister Lays Down the Law” – Kylie Quinn and Ethan Seeks, BrattySis

It’s kind of wild to think that Kylie Quinn has been around for a decade since her debut. Sure, she’s taken long breaks along the way, but My Sexy Stepsister Lays Down the Law shows her operating at full power again. The setup is classic step-porn: Ethan Seeks has money riding on a game when Kylie storms in to shut it off. She’s brought a list of rules he’s expected to follow, and when he pushes back, she wordlessly peels off her thong and pops out her tits, daring him to jerk off for her. Of course, the moment she gets her cum-soaked underwear back on, she rats him out to his mom — and when Ethan ends up grounded for six months, Kylie shows up to apologize, the only way she would in such a scene.

The scene doesn’t reinvent the wheel in terms of camerawork or position variety, but it doesn’t need to. Kylie looks incredible, and much of that is due to the natural lighting and staging. The bed sits beneath a window spilling bright daylight across her skin, which adds a subtle reflection along the curves of her ass in the likes of squatting and doggy. Later, in reverse cowgirl, the heat of the action builds until sweat glistens on her chest, catching the light beautifully as she bounces.

Even the wardrobe feels perfectly chosen. Her red crop top and faded denim mini skirt not only flatter her hair and complexion but also evoke memories of Kylie’s classic scenes, such as "Amateur Girlfriend Lost a Bet" or "Kylie Quinn Turns Out to Be an OK Step-Sister," where similar outfits framed her playful, girl-next-door energy. In that sense, My Sexy Stepsister Lays Down the Law works beautifully both as a reintroduction and as a nostalgic nod to her early charm.

No. 9: “Nice to Meet You” – Yhivi and Dante Colle, Deeper

One of porn’s unspoken conventions is the avoidance of showing the male performer’s flaccid cock. Whether that stems from studio preference or performer comfort, it’s quietly become a standard — so ingrained that even viewers may not expect, or even want, to see otherwise. Nice to Meet You challenges that convention from its opening minutes, introducing a kind of honesty that immediately sets the scene apart. Yhivi unzips Dante’s pants and takes him into her mouth while he’s still soft, letting us actually see him harden with every movement of her lips. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability — something typically edited out or avoided — that instead becomes the foundation of the scene. From there, everything that follows feels more grounded and deeply human.

The anal segment delivers what fans might hope for, and the squatting poses perfectly showcase Yhivi’s ass. But when she strips down to a black lingerie set — sheer embroidered fabric with gold accents and strappy garter details — Dante shoots her a teasing look and asks, “You wore this to fucking dinner?” She bursts into laughter, doubling down when she tries to defend herself with, “You’re wearing a tie.” That chemistry continues into the blowjob portion: when he warns he’s about to cum, she pulls back, smirking, and tells him he can’t until she does. That turns into five uninterrupted minutes of him going down on her, an unusually long stretch by porn standards, capped off with him teasing her clit with his cock before finally sliding in. “Revenge for teasing me at dinner,” he mutters.

It’s moments like these — the humor, the banter, the sense of shared play — that make Nice to Meet You so hot.

No. 10: “Twat Squirt, Anal Rosebud” – Rebel Rhyder and Michael Fly, Evil Angel

Rough, extreme scenes have long held a unique allure in porn — the fascination of seeing a beautiful, composed woman surrender completely to acts that seem to defy her image. It’s the thrill of contrast: elegance undone by raw, animalistic energy. These scenes lean into the chaos of hard anal pounding, throat-fucking drenched in spit, faces being slapped, choked, smeared with filth — all the things that push the boundaries of pleasure and endurance. But while this kind of scene thrives on extremity, it often overlooks something equally vital — the art of presentation. Many rough scenes capture the madness but forget the beauty, neglecting to frame the performer in a way that preserves her allure amid the chaos.

Twat Squirt, Anal Rosebud isn’t like that, and it’s clear right from the opening. Rebel’s yellow, flower-accented lingerie isn’t random — it’s chosen to highlight her sunny blonde hair. Then comes the first position, the bulldog-style doggy. With Michael taking her from above, he has full access to her holes, and the closed-legs nature of the pose accentuates Rebel’s body perfectly, letting her plump pussy and open curves take center stage even amid the pounding.

The lighting also plays a crucial role. Instead of flat, harsh tones, the set is bathed in flattering light that glows against Rebel’s skin. Whether she’s riding him in cowgirl or bent over for doggy, the frame carries a visual polish — the gleam on her thighs, the soft shadows shaping her back — that keeps her looking radiant even as the scene pushes into extremes.

Honorable Mention

“Angelique Rose, Her First DP” – Angelique Rose, Jason Carrera, and Yeri Blue, Private
Private delivers an intense double penetration scene for Angelique Rose, highlighted by a strong variety of positions and her stunning look — a black fishnet bodysuit that clings to every curve.

“Come Home Early” – Sharon White and Thomas Stone, NFBusty
Sharon White shines in Come Home Early, her incredible breasts unsurprisingly getting the spotlight. But don’t forget about her bush — perfectly framed and impossible to ignore.

“Irresistible Desire” – Chica Minori and Ryana, VivThomas
Irresistible Desire lives up to its name with some truly fascinating camerawork — mirrors reflecting multiple angles, clever use of the stairs to balance Chica Minori and Ryana’s height difference, and dual shots that capture both girls in action at once.

“Little Step Sis vs. Boner” – Lilibet Saunders and Alex Adams, FamilyTherapyXXX
Little Step Sis vs. Boner might seem like a standard POV scene, but it’s far more deliberate than that. The camera often tilts to capture the full dynamic, and most importantly, Lilibet Saunders masterfully nails the bratty energy — and looks incredible doing it.

“Polyamory Fairytale, Episode 2” – Rossa Vaxx and Valentino Roca, NASSTYX
Episode 2 of Polyamory Fairytale shows that Little Caprice’s talents go far beyond performance — her NASSTYX project turns sex into elegant filmmaking. Teaming up with Latina newcomer Rossa Vaxx, she stages steamy sex on a boat bathed in sunlight, with a range of positions and even a surprising drone angle.

Performer of the Month: Gizelle Blanco

Blessed with one of the most beautiful physiques in all of porn, Gizelle Blanco’s body alone is enough to hold the attention of any viewer who clicks on her content. But when the 5-foot-9 Honolulu native brings her A-game to set, it puts things over the top. Blanco, 26, did that time and time again in October, when she turned out banger after banger for some of the top studios in the business.

“Living on the Edge,” a steamy girl-girl scene with Diana Grace for Adult Time, checks in at No. >> on this month’s Top 10 list for a multitude of reasons. But the highlights, at least for this reviewer, were Blanco’s vast array of facial and body expressions, including a devilish side when she was on the receiving end of pleasure. Even when she wasn’t being fucked, Blanco treated us to some arousing dirty talk during her Blacked scene with Jax Slayher and Azul Hermosa. Give Big Jax credit for not popping early as Blanco seduced him verbally as he pounded Hermosa from behind.

Blanco’s Girlsway foursome with Ella Reese, Jewel Diamant, and Lily LaBeau is a must-watch for any Blanco fan. And her forthcoming milking table scene with Scott Nails—which is being teased by Brazzers—should be scorching hot, much like Blanco herself. Blanco has developed a reputation as one of the top girl-girl performers in porn, but her range and versatility stood out in October.

View Gizelle on Rosters

Newcomer of the Month: Summer Kline

Every once in a while, a performer shows up and you can tell almost instantly that she has it — that unteachable mix of looks, personality, and sexual energy that makes her pop off the screen. Summer Kline embodies that perfectly. Blonde, with a tight petite body, a big radiant smile, and those killer tan lines that only amplify her sun-kissed allure, she has the kind of magnetism that’s impossible to fake. Her second scene, for ExCoGiGirls, especially proved it beyond doubt: it was her first time going down on another girl, and she approached it with total confidence and natural rhythm. The chemistry with Lovely Lo flowed effortlessly, and her bubbly laughter kept the mood bright.

So it wasn’t exactly a shock when Summer was suddenly picked up to be a Spiegler Girl. Even with fewer than ten studio scenes under her belt, the agency clearly saw what everyone else did from the start. Doing anal in her very first studio outing, showing off just how intense her squirting can get, taking on Isiah Maxwell’s big dick — those are the kinds of early performances that make a career take off fast. The future looks wide open for the blonde.

View Summer on Rosters

Please, please give us more of: Isabella Nice

Consistent. Versatile. Dependable. Professional. And most of all, smokin’ hot. There is simply nothing not to like about Isabella Nice. The veteran performer, who debuted in 2017, has shot nearly 300 studio scenes during her porn tenure. It’s an admirable number—but it could easily be much higher if some of the bigger studios would wisen up and give her more of the opportunities she deserves.

We’d love to see Nice in more dialogue-driven roles for studios such as Adult Time (maybe Pure Taboo?) or Bellesa. Or perhaps in a feature film for Digital Playground. Or maybe an anal scene or a threesome scene for Jules Jordan. Nice has a charming personality and takes her job seriously, meaning she’s a delight to have on set. And let’s be frank: she’s never looked hotter. Even though her career can already be deemed a success, here’s hoping there are bigger things in store for Nice in 2026 and beyond.

View Isabella on Rosters

Studio of the Month: Evil Angel

Founded in 1989, Evil Angel stands as one of the most enduring studios in hardcore porn. With a staggering 19,580 scenes in its archive and counting, the company remains one of the few to release content at a daily rate — this month averaging two scenes a day. Their output cuts across every possible category: North American, European, trans, and amateur content; anal, blowbangs, pissing, double penetration — even behind-the-scenes videos and interviews for those who want to peer beyond the performance. Everything, as long as it’s hardcore.

Both Wife’s Anal Role Play Plan and Twat Squirt, Anal Rosebud earned spots in this month’s Top 10, and they perfectly showcase Evil Angel’s craftsmanship. Both exemplify how the studio balances rawness with visual sophistication: whether it’s Lydia Black’s houndstooth outfit and red harness or Rebel Rhyder’s yellow lingerie, the wardrobe choices were impeccable. The lighting followed a deliberate logic too — even as the sex grew feral, with deep anal, spit-drenched oral, and pounding doggy angles, the crew maintained the scenes’ beauty. That’s why Evil Angel deserves this month’s award.

Surging Star: Violet Voss

One of Violet Voss’ first real standouts came from an unlikely place — the BangBus. In that early scene, she played hard to get, refusing the crew’s escalating offers to flash her boobs. It’s almost poetic, then, that when she finally did, it revealed one of the best pairs of enhanced tits in the industry right now. But even before that, Violet was already showing range — going strap-on to strap-on with legend Leah Gotti, proving she had both the confidence and the skill to keep up. From there, her growth has been steady and organic — working with the likes of Brazzers, NubileFilms, and Bang!, each one helping to cement her name as one of the most promising rising stars of the moment.

This past month, however, marked a real turning point. Violet, who also operates under her dominatrix persona Goddess Violet Voss, had one of the most prolific stretches of her career — two new scenes for NubileFilms (a lesbian threesome with Millie Morgan and Octavia Red, and a BGG with Diana Grace and Nathan Bronson), a Bowsette cosplay VR scene, a new TabooHeat release, and shoots for Jax Slayher and Brad Newman’s sites. Good Friends Make Great Lovers, the one with Diana and Nathan, stood out for looking above even NubileFilms’ usual polish, and Violet herself shone as a reverse-cowgirl all-star — her boobs and toned abdomen working in perfect rhythm, proof that she’s a performer who’s only getting better and better.

View Violet on Rosters

Andrew Curse / Contributor

Andrew Curse launched his Porn Sessions review series on Twitter with a daily posting pledge, building a decent following through consistency and sharp insight. In 2025, he added long-form reviews to his arsenal, offering in-depth analysis of adult scenes across all genres. From high-profile releases to amateur creators, his writing focuses on performance, direction, and visual appeal. His guiding principle is simple: if the studio brings out the best in the performer, it’s worth talking about.