A film on Netflix stirred up so much controversy that it led to legal proceedings and reportedly resulted in an 800% spike in subscription cancellations. The streaming giant, accustomed to challenges, faced significant backlash in September 2020 when it added a French movie that sparked international outrage.
The Film’s Journey and Backlash
The movie, directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, focuses on a young girls’ dance troupe and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier that year. Though critics initially appreciated the film, a promotional poster by Netflix, which allegedly ‘sexualized children,’ quickly propelled it into a social media uproar.
The film, Cuties, follows Amy, a young girl from a Senegalese-French background, who defies her conservative Muslim upbringing by joining a ‘twerking’ dance group. Her story reflects the complexity of growing up amidst a world of easily accessible online content. Doucouré, drawing from personal experiences, informed TIME, “This film is sounding an alarm. It emphasizes that our children should have the time to be children, and as adults, we should strive to preserve their innocence.”
Public Reaction and Legal Challenges
The film quickly became a lightning rod for criticism, with many accusing it of contributing to the sexualization of minors through its imagery. The backlash resulted in a significant surge in subscription cancellations, reportedly hitting rates nearly eight times higher than the usual figures recorded in August 2020, according to data from YipitData.
The controversy escalated when a Texas grand jury indicted Netflix, alleging the film showed ‘lewd exhibition’ of minors without any meaningful artistic or scientific value. Interestingly, the district attorney pursuing the case was Lucas Babin, recognized from his role in School of Rock. Despite these challenges, Netflix defended Cuties as a “social commentary against the sexualization of young children.” The legal case, along with its appeal, was dismissed.
The Film’s Departure from Netflix
Despite the uproar, Cuties managed to collect a commendable 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, earning praise for its nuanced take on the challenges of girlhood in today’s world. However, its stay on Netflix concluded in September 2024. This departure wasn’t due to backlash but rather because the film’s four-year license with Netflix had expired. Although Netflix sometimes renews its licenses, it chose not to with Cuties in this instance.
Therefore, as of now, Cuties is unavailable on any streaming platform, marking the end of its tenure with Netflix. Despite the controversy, the film remains a provocative piece that continues to initiate conversations about the realities facing young girls today.
