Uncovering Ableism: A Critical Analysis of ‘Poor Things’ and ‘The Lobster’
Content warning: This blog post contains spoilers for the movies bad things And LobsterWith discussions of ableism, sexual abuse, sexism, suicide and self-harm. Reader discretion is advised.
Introduction: Hollywood’s Dark Side Unveiled
The screen can capture and inspire a story while attempting to cast a critical eye on the messages and depictions that shape our views of the world. This excerpt draws attention to two controversial films: bad things And LobsterBoth explorations focused on the treatment of disability and underlying ableism have gained traction among audiences and critics alike.
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Bella Baxter (Emma Stone) in Poor Things.
Poor Things: A Troubling Story
bad thingsis a 2023 film adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel of the same name, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Marketed as a mix of science-fiction, horror, and comedy, the film attempts feminist satire, instead relying on ableist tropes and stereotypes.
The plot focuses on Bella Baxter, portrayed by Emma Stone, who has a completely different condition: she has the brain of a child in the body of an adult. If this story sounds interesting, right from the start, one immediately becomes concerned about how it will handle the portrayal of disability. The character of Bella, with her inflexible actions and lack of social awareness, promotes some very harmful stereotypes attributed to cerebral palsy and autism.
Problems with prosthetics and makeup
But perhaps this is the most maligned element bad things In this, prosthetics and makeup are used to create the illusion of facial difference. A tired, old Hollywood trick, it has been widely condemned within the disability community. Disabled author Carly Findlay has joined a number of other actors in blaming the film’s character Dr Godwin Baxter – played by Willem Defoe – for perpetuating damaging stereotypes.
Godwin is a scientist, much like the famous Dr. Frankenstein, who created Bella: Victoria Blessington, a pregnant woman who has committed suicide, has her brain removed and replaced with the brain of her baby and Godwin revives his body with electricity. It completely removes Victoria’s agency from the beginning, setting the tone for a number of deeply problematic themes.
mental age myth
The film explicitly compares Bella to intellectually disabled individuals, even saying that her “mental age” is younger than her “physical age”. Besides how offensive such a comparison is, it also reinforces a very harmful myth. This idea – that adults with intellectual disabilities have the brain of a child – is a disgusting stereotype that deprives them of self-determination and sexual agency.
Bella’s literal expression of this myth – a child’s brain in an adult’s body – is incredibly disturbing. This reinforces the harmful perception that people with disabilities are childlike and incapable of making independent decisions, including those related to their sexuality.
sexuality and consent
The film was highly problematic as far as Bella’s sexuality was concerned. Bella was depicted with the brain of a child and was shown masturbating and engaging in sexual activities, including prostitute-like activities. It was outrageous to sexually exploit such a character with the brain of a child. This all contributes to the overall unethical results of the film.
The threat of incest and sexual abuse of a child increases when Bella’s husband, Alfie Blessington, played by Christopher Abbott, threatens to force her to have sex with him and surgically remove her clitoris. Is. Although these actions do not occur, this very implication contributes to the unsettling atmosphere of the film.
The Lobster: A Dystopian Nightmare
LobsterDirected by the controversial Yorgos Lanthimos and released in 2015, comparisons can be made to bad things In many ways. It is a dystopian sci-fi film in which everyone is legally bound to stay in a monogamous relationship. When a partner dies or leaves him, the surviving person has 45 days to find another partner; Otherwise he will become an animal.
Ableism and forced classification
Lobster It has been criticized for its treatment of disability, as demonstrated by the character David, played by Colin Farrell, who is lame. In the film, David’s disability is presented as a defining characteristic that turns him into a one-sided eccentric version of himself. Forcing this categorization promotes ableism by denying the complexity and diversity within disabled experiences.
The film has furthered the erasure of trans, non-binary, and intersex individuals in order to advance a binary viewpoint on gender and sexuality. David is forced to choose whether he is attracted to men or women, completely erasing any thoughts of bisexuality or other sexual orientations.
shock value on matter
Both bad things And Lobster Rely on the mechanics of shock value and dark humor to get your point across. While satire can be a remarkably useful tool, both of these films are very much examples of ridiculing disability, sex work and the threat of incest and sexual abuse as plot devices for the sake of entertainment.
However, The Lobster goes very dark in its depiction of individuals who go to the extent of willfully blinding themselves by the need to fit into societal norms. This is truly a disturbing reflection of how society can divide people into categories while denying self-interest. Such extreme measures are not a nuanced portrayal of identity conflicts but rather sensational and problematic.
Effect of ableist tropes
The ableist tropes have larger implications that these films hint at. Reinforcing negative stereotypes and denying agency to individuals with disabilities is a contribution to a culture where individuals with disabilities are already marginalized and objectified.
This has been confirmed through films that speak out against such portrayals: Erica Mones and Andrew Gurza have spoken out loudly about the harm these films cause. For years, the disability community has sought honest and respectful representation, and pushed filmmakers to move beyond ableist stereotypes.
Conclusion: Representation is power
Poor Things and The Lobster warn us not to overstep the bounds of responsible, honest representation in the media. Both try to say something about society, but then they end up being offensively cliché.
Audiences, too, need to approach media critically, often with a question mark on everything. We must advocate strongly for more thoughtful and realistic portrayals of disability, sexuality and identity. By doing so, we can help create a more inclusive and respectful mediation space in which the stories of individuals with diverse identities can be told with dignity and respect.
After all it might be right to say bad things And LobsterIn their stories and marketing, they talked about ableism and representation. But in the fullness of time, they fall short in their attempts to comment on society through satire. Now is the time to listen to the disability community and do better when telling stories.
As a writer and an audience member, I strongly believe that it is essential to view these films with a critical eye, as the media shapes our perceptions and attitudes. With these discussions, we can work towards a more inclusive society in which all stories are treated with respect and sensitivity.
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