Modern depictions of occult and esoteric practices in popular culture are becoming more and more numerous. Different iterations and visual narratives, be it in cinema, graphic novels or video games, often work with occult symbols or depictions of rituals, adapted to the imagination of the author, but often being inspired by “real” practices and teachings. A recurring topic that is often associated with the “occult visualizations” is its association with hedonistic behavior. Sexuality, often in its violent and animalistic form if depicted as a way of evoking supernatural entities or manifesting supernatural powers. The intention of breaking “moral” taboos correlates with the counter-cultural elements of magical practice, as both are often perceived as something forbidden, ostracized or abnormal by general society. On the other hand, its aesthetic appeal strongly influences the personality forming and self-identification of the audience, who aim to replicate the depicted visuals and behaviors also in real life. This presentation will analyze several chosen examples from popular culture, focusing on depictions of pleasure and pain as a means of ritual behavior, and the influence they are having on behavior outside of the fictional realms.