OTT giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime are releasing new shows and movies every other day. While some shows make a mark for all the good reasons. Some shows leave us with the thought that “This is literally so bad, and they should have rather invested this money in my favorite show, which has not been renewed for a new season!” One such movie that has everyone talking for all the wrong reasons is ‘Cuties’ the French movie directed by Maïmouna Doucouré that received heavy criticism upon its release.
The movie follows 11-year-old Amy who belongs to a conservative family of Senegalese Muslims. As she moves to a new place with her family, she comes across a rebellious friend group called Cuties in school, and the life they present to Amy is the polar opposite of the life she experiences back at home. From doing flashy dance movies to wearing crop tops they have done it all. And to our protagonist, this all feels very appealing. As Amy gets involved in their word she struggles to find the ‘real me’ in herself. The movie at its core tries to spark a conversation about the sexualization of young girls in today’s world especially on social media. Unfortunately, the film’s execution didn’t match its intent, and instead of sparking an important conversation, the film found itself amid a firestorm. It became controversial not for its message but for its perceived exploitation of the very thing it aimed to criticize.
The Hypersexualization of Young Girls: One of many reasons why this film created this rucksack was that while the film was originally trying to create awareness regarding hypersexualization and the prevention of such activities, the film unfortunately in its Final Cut produces a disappointing image as it showcases many scenes where the young actors are portrayed in suggestive positions during dance sequences which then makes us concerned regarding the actor’s social wellbeing. A petition was also filed against the producers, claiming that they were “sexualizing an 11-year-old for the viewing pleasure of pedophiles,” which understandably, also attracted a lot of attention.
Misleading Marketing Tactics of Netflix: While movie posters usually generate excitement for a release, the poster for Cuties sparked outrage instead. The French theaters promoted this film with a poster containing a wholesome photo of the girls from the friend group. But this poster was changed for the Netflix app and It featured young girls in revealing outfits, which many found inappropriate and disturbing. The backlash was so intense that Netflix had to apologize for their “inappropriate artwork,” acknowledging that the poster misrepresented the film’s message.
Legal Issues: The case also drew attention to Texas state laws regarding the protection of children from harmful media content. The plaintiffs accused Netflix, which distributed the film, of child exploitation and contributing to the sexualization of children. The Texas attorney general took legal action against the film due to concerns over the depiction of children and potential child exploitation violations. This case ignited a debate on First Amendment rights and the delicate balance between artistic expression and the protection of minors.
Problematic Audition: Some people also claimed that the audition process of this movie involved young girls dancing in an explicit way to showcase their talents, raising further concerns. The audition process for “Cuties” involved young girls performing dance routines that some perceived as suggestive, leading to allegations of inappropriate content. These concerns intensified discussions about the ethical responsibilities of filmmakers when depicting youth in any artistic context.
The cultural debate around Cuties centers on whether the film crosses ethical boundaries by depicting what it seeks to criticize: the hypersexualization of young girls. While some defend it as a bold artistic critique of societal norms and social media’s role in shaping modern childhood, others argue it exploits its young actors and crosses moral lines. This debate also highlights cultural differences in how societies perceive and react to sensitive topics like child exploitation, with the film generating significantly more backlash in the U.S. than in its home country, France.
As of now, the movie has been removed from the Netflix app, with no further information as to if it will ever be reposted. Films like this push the boundaries and make us wonder—how far is too far when it comes to artistic expression?
