[1][2][3] The film's structure includes interviews with the women both during makeup and during a subsequent photo shoot for Anderson's coffee table book of the same name as the documentary.

[4][5] Quotes are presented in title cards throughout the film on the topic from women including Erica Jong, Marlene Dietrich, and Gloria Leonard.

[10] She wanted to draw attention to a double standard in society regarding consumption of pornography while simultaneously stigmatizing the actresses that perform in the adult industry.

[4][6][7] A review of the film in the Los Angeles Times was critical, writing that it was only recommended for fans of Alexis Texas, Katsuni and Misty Stone.

[1] Title cards are shown in the film with quotes on its subject matter, including Marlene Dietrich observing, "In America sex is an obsession, in other parts of the world it's a fact.

[22] Adult film star, Francesca Lé, describes early problems from her parents and difficult experiences with recreational drugs.

[2] Kayden Kross explains she originally felt bashful in her youth, and purposefully constructed a character to portray within adult film to emulate perceived desires from consumers.

[9] Teagan Presley explains that due to the standards within the adult film industry including regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases, she feels they are encouraging viewers to engage in safe sex practices.

[3] She states female stars in the industry frequently require mental health counseling and blur the boundaries between their on-set and off-set personalities.

[5] Prior to her work on Aroused, Anderson gained notice as a celebrity photographer with publications including Room 23 and Hollywood Erotique.

[19] Anderson was initially motivated to work on the project after previously having photographed a female actress from the adult film industry for a magazine.

[10][24] Anderson got to know the woman, and felt impacted by the nature of her kind demeanor as contrasted against her difficult treatment from members of society due to the stigma of her line of work.

[10][24] Anderson explained her thought process, stating, "I wanted to trim away their peacock feathers and show the real girls underneath.

"[12] She asserted she wanted to draw attention to a double standard in society of consuming pornography while simultaneously criticizing female porn stars.

[3][2][1] Anderson selected female adult film stars including: Lisa Ann, Belladonna, Lexi Belle, Allie Haze, Ash Hollywood, Jesse Jane, Katsuni, Kayden Kross, Francesca Lé, Brooklyn Lee, Asphyxia Noir, April O'Neil, Teagan Presley, Misty Stone, Tanya Tate, and Alexis Texas.

[25] Anderson additionally interviewed talent agent within the adult film industry, Fran Amidor, for her perspective on female stars within the genre.

[27] Kayden Kross commented of being included in Aroused, "any chance we get to show that world in a way that isn't slanted or biased toward making it look like the stereotypical thing you expect from porn--any opportunity is good for us.

[3][8] The book was intended as a companion piece to the film, and was sold stating the women featured were shown, simply attired only in footwear by Jimmy Choo.

[16][24][10] Many of the female stars of the film were present for the premiere, and stayed after the conclusion of the screening to greet guests and sign the accompanying companion coffee-table book.

"[13] Writing for African American Literature Book Club, Kam Williams called the film, "An eye-opening expose about the surprisingly-conventional concerns of some of the most hyper-sexualized women in the world.

"[4] Writing for ACED Magazine, critic John Delia commented of the film's shooting style, "Beautifully photographed with clean and clear video, the production gets high marks for cinematography.

"[15] She called the director, "an unbiased storyteller, choosing to focus on the industry and the girls' experiences with it, hoping to take one step closer to shedding a stereotype.

"[6] Avi Offer wrote for NYC Movie Guru that Anderson could have spent more time giving more in-depth interviews to a smaller number of subjects.

[32] Brent Simon of Shared Darkness wrote, "Aroused is an uncommonly intelligent nonfiction exploration of the inner lives of 16 women in the adult film industry.

[7] Simon observed, "Anderson's effort has an easy, unforced quality to go along with its acuity, keeping prurience at arms' length and allowing the humanity and vulnerability of its subjects to come through.

"[19] Linden observed, "Completist fans of such performers as Alexis Texas, Katsuni and Misty Stone are the only likely viewers liable to find the documentary satisfying.

"[19] The film was referred by The Village Voice as "a tack better suited to Anderson's famed photo collections than a narrative medium" in which the interviews "are cut into such narrow snippets it's impossible to piece together anyone here into a coherent personality".

"[23] The New York Times critic Nicole Herrington compared the film's cinematic style to a television advertisement for Victoria's Secret.

[5] Herrington commented, "It has an inviting softness, but the background music, odd camera angles, close-ups and lingering shots only distract and objectify.

"[5] She wrote that instead of a documentary film, Anderson's piece would have been better suited for the format of television series, in the vein of a combination of Taxicab Confessions and Red Shoe Diaries.