Diary of a Sex Addict (2001)

Last updated:
October 12, 2025

Diary of a Sex Addict (2001) is an erotic drama directed by Joseph Brutsman and co-written by Anthony Peck (Gregory Peck’s son). Despite its provocative title, the film takes a surprisingly introspective look at the destructive consequences of sexual addiction on relationships, identity, and family.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Opening: A Man with a Double Life

The film opens with Sam (Rosanna Arquette), the wife of Sammy (Griffin Dunne), narrating pieces of her husband’s seemingly normal life. Sammy is a successful chef, a loving father, and a devoted husband. However, beneath that calm, charming surface lies a man whose every waking moment is consumed by compulsive sexual behavior.

Sammy’s Secret Compulsion

As the story unfolds, we see Sammy juggling his respectable public persona with his private obsessions. He visits prostitutes, seduces strangers, and engages in risky sexual encounters with women he barely knows. His addiction isn’t portrayed as glamorous — it’s compulsive, mechanical, and increasingly desperate. He doesn’t seek pleasure; he seeks relief from the emptiness that pleasure no longer fills.

Therapy and Self-Confrontation

Sammy eventually begins therapy with Dr. Jane (Amy Locane), a psychiatrist specializing in addiction. Through their sessions, we learn more about his past — his childhood loneliness, parental neglect, and the emotional void that led him to seek validation through sex. These therapy scenes form the emotional backbone of the movie, showing that Sammy isn’t a monster — he’s a man drowning in his own impulses.

Crumbling Family Life

Sammy’s wife, Sam, starts to notice the cracks in his façade — late nights, secretive behavior, and emotional distance. Their teenage son also feels the effects of his father’s absence and emotional unavailability. The more Sammy tries to balance his double life, the more it collapses around him. The film doesn’t shy away from the raw, uncomfortable fallout of addiction — the guilt, shame, and endless cycle of self-sabotage.

The Downward Spiral

By the second half, Sammy’s addiction spirals out of control. He loses control over his impulses, even in situations that risk exposing him publicly. The thrill is gone, replaced by fear and self-loathing. He starts recording his experiences in a diary — hence the title — in a desperate attempt to understand himself. But the diary becomes a mirror of his destruction, each entry reflecting how little control he has left.

Movie Ending (Spoilers Ahead)

The final act brings everything crashing down. Sammy’s wife discovers his secret life after finding his diary, filled with graphic details of his encounters. The confrontation between them is raw and emotional — Sam is devastated, torn between love and disgust. Sammy breaks down, confessing that his addiction isn’t about love or lust but an uncontrollable need that he doesn’t understand.

In one of the film’s final therapy sessions, Dr. Jane tells him that acknowledging the addiction is the first step, but recovery is a long, painful road. Sammy decides to seek real help, aware that he might have lost everything. The movie closes ambiguously: he sits alone in his restaurant after hours, looking at a photo of his family, tears in his eyes. The audience is left to wonder if he’ll ever truly recover or if he’s doomed to repeat the cycle. It’s not a happy ending — it’s a brutally honest one.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, there are no post-credits scenes in Diary of a Sex Addict. The film ends with a quiet, reflective tone, and the credits roll immediately after Sammy’s final emotional moment.

Type of Movie

This film is an erotic psychological drama, bordering on addiction study and character portrait rather than erotic entertainment. It’s a serious, dialogue-driven exploration of compulsive behavior rather than a sensual film.

Cast

Griffin Dunne as Sammy
Rosanna Arquette as Sam
Amy Locane as Dr. Jane
Angel Boris Reed as Angela
James Remar as David
Monica Keena as Lindsey
Anthony Peck as Charlie

Film Music and Composer

The score was composed by Joel McNeely, known for his atmospheric and emotional compositions. His work here is subtle, using soft piano and ambient tones to underline the film’s melancholy rather than glamorizing its erotic elements.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed primarily in Los Angeles, California, using a mix of upscale restaurants, hotel rooms, and suburban homes to reflect the duality of Sammy’s life — the polished exterior versus the shadowy inner world. The locations emphasize isolation: even in crowded spaces, Sammy feels alone.

Awards and Nominations

While Diary of a Sex Addict didn’t win major awards, it was screened at various independent film festivals for its bold subject matter. Its performances, particularly by Griffin Dunne and Rosanna Arquette, received praise from niche critics for their emotional authenticity.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Griffin Dunne reportedly consulted real addiction counselors to better understand the psychology of compulsive behavior.
Rosanna Arquette described her role as “emotionally exhausting,” saying that playing a betrayed spouse was harder than she anticipated.
The film’s working title was “Confessions of a Sex Addict”, later changed for marketing reasons.
The therapy scenes were largely improvised between Dunne and Amy Locane to create a more realistic dynamic.

Inspirations and References

The movie is inspired by real psychological studies of sex addiction and draws thematic influence from works like Shame (though it predates it by a decade) and Leaving Las Vegas. Director Joseph Brutsman reportedly based some elements on real therapy cases he researched.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There was a reportedly darker alternate ending in which Sammy relapses and returns to his destructive behavior after promising to change. This ending was cut for being “too hopeless,” leaving the theatrical version slightly more ambiguous and reflective. A few extended scenes from therapy sessions were also shortened for pacing.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The film is not based on a book, but its storytelling style mimics a confessional diary format. The script’s voice-over narration and inner monologues give it a literary feel — like reading someone’s private journal of self-destruction.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Sammy’s first therapy session, where he admits, “I don’t even know what I’m chasing anymore.”
His wife finding the diary, a heart-wrenching confrontation scene.
The final restaurant scene, where Sammy stares at his family photo in silence.

Iconic Quotes

“Sex isn’t the problem. It’s the medicine.”
“I’m not looking for love. I’m running from myself.”
“The worst thing about addiction is not knowing when you’re lying — or to whom.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

In the background of Sammy’s restaurant, one of the walls displays a framed quote: “Hunger comes in many forms.” A not-so-subtle nod to his dual appetites.
The diary’s last page, briefly visible, reads: “Tomorrow I begin again.” — a hint that recovery is a daily battle, not a single decision.
The therapy office bookshelf contains Freud’s Civilization and Its Discontents, symbolizing the theme of repression.

Trivia

Griffin Dunne also served as a co-producer on the film.
The movie was shot in just 21 days on a modest budget.
Despite the title, there’s relatively little nudity; the focus is psychological, not erotic.
It was released straight to cable and later gained small cult status on DVD.

Why Watch?

If you’re interested in films that tackle addiction, self-destruction, and human vulnerability with raw honesty, Diary of a Sex Addict offers a haunting and thoughtful perspective. It’s not sexy — it’s sad, real, and uncomfortably truthful.

Director’s Other Movies

The Independent (2000)
Buster’s Bedroom (1991)

Diary of a Sex Addict (2001)