Andrew Dominik’s Blonde, the Marilyn Monroe biopic starring Ana de Armas, has garnered wild reactions since it premiered at the Venice Film Festival on September 8 and made its Netflix debut on September 28. Film critics have dubbed the film: which is based on the 2000 novel of the same name by Joyce Carol Oates, cruel and exploitative for its portrayal of Monroe’s life.
One thread of this criticism was the way Blonde dealt with abortion. The film shows Monroe having two illegal abortions, forced on her against her will and distressing her. Using photorealistic CGI, the film features Monroe’s fetuses speaking to her. “You’re not going to hurt me this time, are you?” a fetus asks Monroe.
Blonde appears three months after the Supreme Court ruled Roe v. Wade has fallen as many in the entertainment industry have pondered their own role in the way abortion is understood by the public.
For abortion advocates, Blonde is a step in the wrong direction. “Because film and television are shaping many people’s understanding of sexual and reproductive health, it’s important that these portrayals accurately reflect women’s true choices and experiences,” said Caren Spruch, national director of Arts and Entertainment Engagement for the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, to . “While abortion is a safe, essential health care, anti-abortion advocates have long contributed to the stigma surrounding abortion by using medically inaccurate descriptions of the fetus and pregnancy. Andrew Dominik’s new film Blonde reinforces her message with a CGI speaking fetus that looks like a fully developed baby.”
Saying continued, “Planned Parenthood respects artistic freedom and freedom of movement. However, false images only serve to reinforce misinformation and perpetuate stigma surrounding sexual and reproductive health care. Every pregnancy outcome – especially an abortion – should be presented in the media in a sensitive, authentic and accurate manner. We still have work to do to ensure everyone who has an abortion can see themselves on screen. It’s a shame that Blonde’s creators decided to contribute to anti-abortion propaganda and instead stigmatize people’s health choices.”
In an interview with The Wrap, Dominik said he doesn’t see the film as anti-choice and that perception as such stems in part from the timing of its release so soon after Roe fell. “People are obviously concerned about the loss of freedoms,” he said. “But I mean, if I had made the film in 2008, nobody would have given a damn, and probably in four years, nobody will care. And the film will not have changed. It’s just what’s going on.”