Offensive Cinema

Your favorite movies are probably problematic. Cancelling offensive pop culture one brave tweet at a time.

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

Welcome to Offensive Cinema. Cancelling problematic pop culture one brave tweet at a time!

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

FINDING NEMO takes place in the ocean off the coast of Sydney, Australia. However, the film never addresses the many indigenous people who were harmed when Britain colonized Australia in 1788.

Off-topic? Maybe. Still important? Absolutely. Are we really going to ignore history?

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

In THE LAST CRUSADE, Indiana Jones comes face-to-face with Hitler and doesn’t make an attempt to cancel him. No assassination attempt, no spitting on his shoes, no cup of water in his face or #NeverHitler t-shirt!

Indy’s cowardice makes him just as problematic as Hitler himself.

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

In beloved film PADDINGTON 2, while in the middle of a train chase, Paddington stumbles into the smoke-stack and accidentally does blackface.

Paddington’s actions, however brief, teach children everywhere that this is acceptable! Everyone’s favorite bear is sadly problematic.

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

Though Darth Vader’s “redemption” is often romanticized, Luke’s behavior during his father’s final moments is reprehensible.

Instead of calling out Vader’s blatant genocide and xenophobia and cancelling him on the spot, Luke allows him to die peacefully! Problematic indeed.

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In INDIANA JONES AND THE LAST CRUSADE, when a crevice opens up and Elsa Schneider nearly falls to her death, Dr. Jones grabs her arm to try to pull her to safety.

Given that Elsa is a known Nazi sympathizer, Indy’s concern with saving her life is very problematic. Good riddance!

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

In the film LOGAN, Wolverine has dinner at a family farmhouse where he's surrounded by Christian cross imagery and even says "grace" before eating.

The fact that Logan accepts the family's hospitality without calling out their blatant bigotry proves that he is sadly problematic.

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Though DUNKIRK may depict historical events, it’s hard not to look at the large cast of straight, white males and say “can’t we do better than this?”

The story of Dunkirk is one of inspiration, but it’s hard to be inspired when there’s such a problematic lack of representation.

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In SHARKBOY AND LAVAGIRL, when putting on their goggles to go to Planet Drool, Lavagirl mentions that they have “blue for boys, pink for girls.”

If this normalization of gender roles wasn’t problematic enough, Max is reluctant to wear pink because of its feminine associations!

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

In classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL, the ending of the story allows the Trump-inspired Scrooge to receive forgiveness with no repercussions for his actions!

Tiny Tim’s statement “God bless us, every one” - while clearly Islamophobic - also fails to call out Scrooge’s problematic past.

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

FINDING NEMO takes place in the ocean off the coast of Sydney, Australia. However, the film never addresses the many indigenous people who were harmed when Britain colonized Australia in 1788.

Off-topic? Maybe. Still important? Absolutely. Are we really going to ignore history?

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

At the end of HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS, despite his repeated burglary attempts and offensive appropriation of North Pole Elf culture, The Grinch is allowed to celebrate with The Who’s and even cut the roast beast!

What does this teach children about justice for the guilty?

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

2017’s THE GREATEST SHOWMAN shows the fun of the circus, but it fails to tackle the elephant abuse and capitalist agenda deeply embroiled in the greatest show on earth.

This lighthearted film may be intended for kids, but you’re never too young to hear about animal exploitation!

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

In BATMAN V SUPERMAN, when talking to Lois Lane, the seemingly heroic Superman says “you are my world.”

While it may seem romantic, this line really shows the sinister sense of objectification and ownership Kal El has over the women in his life. Problematic to say the least!

[Offensive Cinema @OffensiveCinema]

Another troubling aspect of A QUIET PLACE is the film’s obsession with gender roles, with men going hunting and women staying home to cook/clean.

The father’s dominance - even covering his son’s mouth to keep him quiet - shows that he’s the very embodiment of toxic masculinity.

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@LeCinephiles Kanye is officially #Problematic!

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A QUIET PLACE may be thrilling, but the film’s lack of diversity is a major problem, especially when a mixed-race couple would have been so easy (and empowering) to depict instead.

Unfortunately, the film’s limited worldview means that only whites will find it engaging.

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HIDDEN FIGURES was regarded as a step-forward for diversity. However, the film’s Christian, heterosexual black leads make things a little too binary.

Depicting one of the characters as Muslim, or creating a love-triangle between the 3 women, could’ve made this less problematic.

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In THE INCREDIBLES, the antagonist’s villain name is Syndrome. While it may be catchy, associating “syndrome” with villainy can portray kids with Down Syndrome and Asperger’s Syndrome in a very negative light.

Brad Bird should have thought twice before this problematic touch.

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In CINDERELLA, the Godmother assumes that Cinderella conforms to a cisgender female role and wants to wear a dress to the ball. She never stops to ask if she is genderqueer, trans, or otherwise non-conforming.

The Fairy Godmother may have good intentions, but she is problematic!