People Are SLAMMING 'Insatiable' For Its Harmful Depiction Of Sexual Assault
16 August 2018, 15:51
This is not on...
If you've been anywhere near the internet recently, chances are that you've heard of Insatiable. Netflix released the new dark dark comedy about a formerly overweight beauty pageant contestant last Friday and since then it's already become one of the most divisive shows of 2018. Before it even came out, people were petitioning for it to be cancelled and now viewers worldwide are criticising it for a number of things.
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From fat-shaming (there's a lot of conflictual messages about size) to bi-erasure (some of the quotes are super problematic and offensive), there are plenty of things that the series is being called out on. That's not all though. To make things worse, Insatiable is also receiving a lot of flack for its depiction of sexual assault and there are two main storylines that are not sitting right with viewers.
First things first: the series opens with lawyer/beauty pageant coach Bob Armstrong being falsely accused of sexual assault. After Bob fails to help guide contestant Dixie St. Clair to victory, her mum Regina falsely claims that Bob molested Dixie in order to get revenge on him.
Considering how many sexual assault victims aren't believed when they come forward, many viewers think that this plot choice is misguided at best and damaging at worst. Of course it's fiction but it perpetuates the myth that people make up sexual assault claims.
Not only that but the series also has a storyline in which Regina (who is in her 40s) is involved in a sexual relationship with Brick (who is underage) and, as opposed to treating it seriously, the show uses it as a punchline.
Fans are angry that both storylines haven't been treated with more sensitivity.
Here are just a few of the reactions.
This #Insatiable show is not only peddling fatophobia but a tired storyline about a man being falsely accused of sexual asault of minor. Only 2-8% of sexual assault reports are false. Disappointing especially because one of the shows stars is a huge voice in the #MeToo movement. https://t.co/2ltQhAzV9z
— Farrah Khan (@farrahsafiakhan) August 14, 2018
Cool so within 10 minutes of #Insatiable there’s a false accusation of sexual assault used as a plot device. Ya’ll know having that to make your male character seem unlucky & “relatable” spreads the myth that those happen even a fraction of the amount of actual assaults, right?
— Heatherina Lavender (@heatherfloschen) August 16, 2018
UGH. #insatiable is just awful. @netflix, as if the fat-shaming, and homophobic tones aren't horrible enough, surely in the era of #metoo and believing & supporting women, we deserve characters that don't falsely accuse men of assault in order to win a pageant?!
— Rahaf Harfoush (@rahafharfoush) August 12, 2018
ALSO another red flag about insatiable regarding adult/minor relationships: regina’s relationship with brick is also gross but no one probably cares just because brick is a guy and he wants sex. he’s legit a minor and this grown-ass woman is trying to seduce him 24/7. what.
— m (@spobytastic) August 11, 2018
how was regina ever allowed back in a school and near kids after having sex with a minor (he was 17) she shouldnt be allowed near schools let alone parties #insatiable
— veganbby Ⓥ 🌱🌸🥑 (@angehieux) August 13, 2018
Wait... Regina and Brick?? Ain’t Brick like 16 years old?? #Insatiable pic.twitter.com/7uqXmsNCxd
— Donnelle⚡️ (@iAmNELLEZ_) August 11, 2018
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Hopefully, if there is an Insatiable Season 2, the writers will take this backlash into consideration.
