Opinion: Why “Cuties” Should Make You Consider Cancelling Netflix

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This opinion piece was submitted by reader Juan C. Reyes-Zayas in response to a September 18, 2020 opinion by Apologetics 315 Writer Mark A. Lester.

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On September 9th the controversial film Cuties was released on Netflix. Despite pushback from many on social media, the film remains available on the famous streaming service. I’d like to briefly argue in this piece that cancelling Netflix may well be a moral duty to be considered. So then, why should anyone cancel Netflix over the Cuties film?

Cancelling Netflix is based on the premise that it’s morally wrong for a streaming service to allow material showing adolescent girls in sexually exploitative ways. It’s important to stress this point. The film is not portraying older female actors as preadolescent girls. It’s actually portraying young adolescent girls dancing and behaving in clearly sexual ways with little clothing. The age of these young actresses currently ranges from 12 to 14 years of age (which means they were younger when they were filming the movie).[1] This is simply wrong, period. I think any argument offered in favor of this moral judgment would not be as evident. But wait, not so fast! Someone might say, “there’s other questionable content on Netflix. Why should I cancel my subscription over one more film with bad content?” Sure, it’s true that there is content on the platform that portrays behavior that Christians would consider sinful; content that certainly does not edify. In these cases one can simply choose not to watch the content. The issue with Cuties, however, is different.

Some actions, while morally wrong, can be tolerated for different reasons. Is what the film Cuties has done something we should tolerate? Again, this movie is not depicting adults dancing in sexual ways, but minors! I mean, need I say more? There are actions or behaviors that can’t be tolerated. It would be wrong to do so. Filming young girls in this way is something that falls on this category; it should not be tolerated. It doesn’t matter that, as the director herself stated, the film’s overall goal was to condemn the ways a hypersexualised culture influences young girls negatively.[2] Nothing justifies the filming of young girls dancing in sexually provocative ways! In this case, the movie’s positive message was compromised by its delivery. Whatever aesthetic or moral value the movie may have does not make up for the wrongness of sexually exploiting young girls.There’s a saying that goes “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.” I believe the Cuties film is an excellent example of this. 

Some have written that they will not be cancelling Netflix, inviting others to see the film instead.[3] To them I ask, what’s it going to take? Is exploiting adolescent girls in this way not enough? What then? What should be the limit beyond which I as a consumer should react and cancel Netflix or some other streaming service? Would you be okay with your own daughter getting filmed in this manner for the whole world to see? I believe the superior choice is to join those who have already cancelled their subscriptions, seeking to bring Netflix to account. To continue with your monthly payment to Netflix is basically the same as saying that it’s okay for content like this to be made and streamed. After all, you’re not paying for access to particular content, but for access to the whole library (which includes the Cuties film). I think this whole controversy gives us all an opportunity to speak up on an important issue relating to proper moral boundaries in art and film. If you haven’t done so already, make your voice heard by cancelling Netflix now. I for one can’t in good conscience continue to enjoy their streamed content while knowing that they’ve allowed a film on their platform that sexually exploited young, adolescent girls.[4] 

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Notes:

[1] Joanne Kavanagh, “Cuties on Netflix Cast: Who Stars in the Film and How Old Are They?,” The Sun, September 16, 2020, https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/12682000/cuties-netflix-cast-ages/.

[2] Maïmouna Doucouré, “Opinion | I Directed ‘Cuties.’ This Is What You Need to Know about Modern Girlhood.,” Washington Post, September 15, 2020, https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/cuties-director-maimouna-doucoure-why-i-made-the-film/2020/09/15/7e0ee406-f78b-11ea-a275-1a2c2d36e1f1_story.html.

[3] See for example Bev Murrill, “Why Christians Shouldn’t Boycott Netflix’s Controversial Cuties,” Premier Christianity, September 28, 2020, http://www.premierchristianity.com/Blog/Why-Christians-shouldn-t-boycott-Netflix-s-controversial-Cuties. Also Mark Lester, “Why I Will Not Be Cancelling Netflix,” Apologetics315 (blog), September 18, 2020, https://apologetics315.com/2020/09/why-i-will-not-be-cancelling-netflix/.

[4] For those who think I’m exaggerating in some way, consider watching a clip of it yourself, shown as part of the following video from commentator Ben Shapiro: “Cuties” Movie: Deconstructing The Culture w/Ben Shapiro, 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asxBUrx-Wfg.