I believe that in 1995 when writer/director Amy Heckerling adapted Jane Austen’s Emma into a Beverly Hills teen classic movie, a masterpiece was born. I also believe that the movie tells us something about the relationship between Josh and Cher that we’ve been resistant to acknowledge:
Josh has an incest kink.
Yes, the is-it-creepy-or-OK controversy over the romance between ex-step-siblings Josh and Cher has been around for as long as the movie. And I ship this couple more than seems appropriate for someone making this argument.
But we have never investigated what the characters think of that incest conundrum. And if you look closely, you’ll find that Josh seems to lean pretty hard into the familial vibe.
Let’s start with the facts, in case anyone needs a refresher. Josh’s mother was briefly married to Cher’s dad about five years ago before ending in divorce. But Josh is still present in Cher’s life, as he maintains his relationship with his ex-stepfather.
We can deduce that Josh sees Cher and her father semi-regularly, as ‘daddy’ mentions he hasn’t seen him since Easter – so within a year. Plus, he still mentors Josh in a fatherly way and asserts that he considers him a son.
Intrigue. Let’s continue.
There are two main pieces of evidence I would like to put forward in this case, besides a gut feeling that Josh likes to be called ‘big brother’ in bed.
Exhibit A:
In an early interaction in the kitchen we see Cher and Josh engaging in what can only be described as something between sibling squabble and flirty banter – the energy that defines their relationship. They disagree on everything from music, style, TV choices all the way to their actual status as siblings.
“I went by dad’s office,” Josh says, literally calling her father dad.
“He is not your dad.” Cher retorts. “Why don’t you torture a new family?”
“Hey, just because my mother marries someone else, doesn’t mean he’s my father.” Josh replies, which is a bit confusing because he seems to have taken to adopting Cher’s dad as his father when his mother married him.
So right from the beginning Josh makes it clear he considers himself a part of this family. He considers Cher’s dad as his own dad. You do the math because Josh certainly has.
Exhibit B:
In a later scene, Josh and Cher are on the couch together when Cher encourages him to spend his college break at the house and join her at some social functions.
Josh sheepishly replies with a self-deprecating comment that points out there sibling-like relation. The exchange is cold hard evidence:
Josh: “How much fun would it be having a brother-type tagging along?”
Cher: “Josh, you are not my brother.”
Josh: “You know what I mean.”
So, is Josh alluding to his “brother-type” status to fish for an idea of whether he’s in with a romantic shot with Cher? There’s a case for that, sure. But are we overlooking a scene in which Josh is hinting that he wants little step-sis to call him her brother because he’s sexually aroused by it? THERE’S A CASE FOR THAT.
I still rate Josh and Josh and Cher together, because Clueless is not a film I would change. But I’m just saying, Josh has an incest kink.