Netflix Criticized For ‘Sexualizing’ Minors In Risqué Wear For ‘Cuties’ Poster
Image via Netflix
A promo for an upcoming Netflix movie titled Cuties had viewers outraged for “sexualizing” children, as it shows tweens twerking in crop tops and tiny shorts.
The French film tells the story of a girl named Amy, who joins a school dance team planning to take part in a “twerking competition.” This upsets her mother and leads her to go against her family’s traditional beliefs.
The film’s description reads, “Amy becomes fascinated with a twerking dance crew. Hoping to join them, she starts to explore her femininity, defying her family’s traditions.”
The movie’s poster, however, has received backlash for “hyper-sexualizing” minors. While the film itself is meant to trigger conversations about society’s dangerous sexualizations of youth, viewers were angry at Netflix’s decision to market the show in such a provocative manner.
One Twitter user also pointed out that Netflix USA’s marketing materials are racier than the original French poster, which shows the young girls going on a shopping trip instead.
“Netflix, WTF is this,” a user tweeted. “This is f**king disguting. Minors shouldn’t be sexualized like this.”
“It’s interesting to compare the French version of the Cuties poster to the American one, like the French version has more ‘kids having fun!’ vibes, while the American one is just f**king gross,” the user said, alongside a comparison of the two posters.
Netflix has issued an apology in a tweet, stating, “We’re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description.”
Netflix has also updated the movie’s synopsis on YouTube to read, “Amy tries to escape family dysfunction by joining a free-spirited dance clique named ‘Cuties’, as they build their self-confidence through dance.”
We're deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for Mignonnes/Cuties. It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film which won an award at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description.
— Netflix (@netflix) August 20, 2020
this is fucking disgusting. minors shouldn't be sexualized like this
— koko (@littlewarior9) August 19, 2020
Netflix has a movie called “Cuties” about 11 year olds in a twerking dance group. Some of the reviews claim it’s a “commentary” on the sexualization of children but this is the poster. And keep in mind that the lead actress is actually 11 years old. In the film and real life. pic.twitter.com/4p2exeSvXw
— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) August 20, 2020
its interesting to compare the french version of the cuties poster to the american version...
— kitti (@yeetdere) August 20, 2020
like the French version has more "kids having fun!" vibes, while the American version is just fucking.... gross.
I feel like the #Netflix marketing team has a lot to answer for. pic.twitter.com/c8QrX0EY75
The thing about the Netflix campaign for Cuties is how disgustingly sexualized these girls are. Compare the poster and blurb from Netflix versus the ones on IMDb, shit is as different as night and day.
— Weekend Warrior (@wwarrior_1) August 20, 2020
Someone should get fired. pic.twitter.com/XrAL7njMBN
Because @netflix is promoting and streaming the movie "Cuties", I have cancelled my account.
— Jared Harfield (@JaredHarfield) August 20, 2020
This is disgusting. Exploiting and normalizing child sexuality is heinous and must not be tolerated.
This movie should be removed, people fired, and lessons learned.#CancelNetflix pic.twitter.com/uNvZxOswWv
Who made the poster for Cuties sexualizing children, @netflix? Who approved posting the film’s description celebrating 11-year-old girls twerking? Have those degenerates been fired? Have police been notified? #NetflixPedophiles
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) August 20, 2020
[via Vanity Fair, opening image via Netflix]
