Private Project

Fans Only: The Human side of Porn

In an access-all-areas journey through the adult film industry, Joel Van der Molen teams up with porn legend Tommy Gunn to challenge stereotypes, uncover personal stories, and explore the human side of a misunderstood world.

FansOnly: The Human Side of Porn takes viewers behind the scenes of the adult entertainment industry, offering an unprecedented look at the lives of performers, directors, and insiders. Guided by veteran performer Tommy Gunn, host Joel Van der Molen dives headfirst into a world often painted with broad, judgmental strokes. He quickly learns that the industry’s biggest stars are not just performers—they’re real people with deep stories, challenges, and surprising resilience.

From the glamour of the AVN Awards to the quieter moments on set, Joel encounters a community that is far warmer and more open than he ever expected. With stars like Alexis Texas, Emma Hix, Alexis Fawx, Danny Mountain, and industry figures like Holly Randall and Brah Bones, the documentary offers unprecedented access to the industry’s major players as they share their personal experiences and challenges.

The film covers a wide range of issues affecting the adult industry—from mental and physical health to sex education, empowerment, and the unique dynamics of gender roles. Light hearted but unafraid to explore sensitive topics, FansOnly delves into the darker side of fame, including the mental health struggles and stigma that many performers face. Yet, it also highlights the empowerment that comes with controlling their own content and careers, especially as platforms like OnlyFans redefine the rules.

With women often earning more than their male counterparts, one phrase captures the dynamic: "Women are the rose, and the men are the vase," describing how male performers support their female co-stars, allowing them to shine. Challenging misconceptions and amplifying voices rarely heard, FansOnly reveals the true faces behind the screen, offering a fresh perspective on a world that’s often misunderstood but undeniably human.

  • Joel Van der Molen
    Director
    Gypsy Billionaire
  • Joel Van der Molen
    Producer
    Gypsy Billionaire
  • Tommy Gunn
    Producer
  • Alexis Texas
    Key Cast
  • Emma Hix
    Key Cast
  • Alexis Fawx
    Key Cast
  • Cherie DeVille
    Key Cast
  • Danny Mountain
    Key Cast
  • Marc Kramer
    Key Cast
  • Holly Randall
    Key Cast
  • Justin Kane
    Key Cast
  • Madison Wilde
    Key Cast
  • Daisy Fuentes
    Key Cast
  • James Bartholet
    Key Cast
  • Ana Foxxx
    Featuring
  • Angela White
    Featuring
  • Anna Claire Clouds
    Featuring
  • Chloe Surreal
    Featuring
  • Isiah Maxwell
    Featuring
  • Seth Gamble
    Featuring
  • Cherry Kiss
    Featuring
  • Mike Quasar
    Featuring
  • Jeff Mullen
    Featuring
  • Penelope Woods
    Featuring
  • Scott David
    Featuring
  • Joel Van der Molen
    Editor
    Gypsy Billionaire
  • Richard Colton
    Edit Producer
    Gypsy Billionaire
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 10 minutes 30 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    January 6, 2025
  • Production Budget:
    150,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United Kingdom
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Joel Van der Molen

Joel Van der Molen is an award-winning filmmaker celebrated for his fearless exploration of complex and often controversial subjects. Known for his engaging, no-holds-barred approach, Joel has a unique talent for drawing out authentic stories from his subjects, capturing them as they live their lives and tell their stories on their own terms. His commitment to uncovering the raw truth has earned him significant recognition, including the SIFFA President Award for his hit documentary 'Gypsy Billionaire', which became a surprise Amazon #1, overtaking Taylor Swift and Barbie, and gaining attention from major Press.

His curiosity and openness make him a powerful interviewer and documentarian, often catching his subjects off-guard and encouraging them to reveal their perspectives with honesty and vulnerability.

Driven by a passion for understanding the people behind the headlines, Joel continues to build a body of work that defies expectations and connects audiences with the real lives behind the stories.

Add Director Biography
Director Statement

When I first considered making FansOnly, my curiosity was driven by a single statistic: 80% of all internet searches are adult related. That alone told me there was a much deeper story to uncover, one that goes beyond the stereotypes. My goal was simple: to get to know the people behind this world that so many engage with, but few truly understand.

My perspective shifted most dramatically when I attended the XRCO Awards, one of the only industry events exclusive to adult entertainment professionals. This was a unique opportunity to see performers, directors, and crew as they truly are—off-camera, relaxed, and comfortable in a way that’s rarely visible to the public. I was struck by how open and welcoming everyone was. These were real people, often incredibly funny and light-hearted, and, like anyone else, proud of their work.

But there’s a heartbreaking side to this industry that many don’t see. The pressure to conform and the constant judgment from the outside world have driven some to take their own lives. I realized that part of my mission with FansOnly was to help people understand the toll this stigma can take and to humanize these individuals who are so often misunderstood.

Through candid conversations, moments of humour, and in-depth interviews on everything from health and empowerment to mental struggles and stigma, FansOnly captures the human side of porn. I hope that, by the end, audiences will see these performers and creators as they truly are: real people with real lives, stories, and dreams. My hope is that this documentary might shift perspectives and offer a glimpse of a world that deserves a closer, more compassionate look."