Backlash at Marilyn Monroe movie’s ‘disgusting’ portrayal of her life

It has won plaudits from some critics for its sympathetic retelling of her story.

But women’s charities and experts have hit out at the ‘disgusting’ portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Netflix’s new film about her life.

Blonde, which was released on the streaming platform on Wednesday, has prompted a backlash from campaigners and viewers over its graphic portrayal of sexual assault, domestic violence and abortion.

This is despite the movie receiving a 14-minute standing ovation at Venice Film Festival in September.

The film, which lasts for nearly three hours, is a fictionalised account of the actress’ life, with Cuban actress Ana de Armas, 34, playing Miss Monroe, who is said to have suffered sexual abuse when she was young.

Women’s charities and experts have hit out at the ‘disgusting’ portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in Netflix ’s new film about her life

The film, which has an age 18 rating in the UK, is written and directed by Andrew Dominik, who has made outspoken comments both about the film and Miss Monroe

Molly Boydon, from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: ‘Film and TV play a big part in shaping understanding of abortion

The movie, which is currently the number one film on Netflix’s UK service, has been accused of being sexist and exploitative. There are graphic scenes showing Miss Monroe having an abortion, though there is no evidence she ever had one in real life.

It has led women’s charities to warn that ‘over-sensationalising’ abortion is ‘incredibly unhelpful’ and can lead women to believe it is not safe.

The film, which lasts for nearly three hours, is a fictionalised account of the actress’ life, with Cuban actress Ana de Armas, 34, playing Miss Monroe (pictured), who is said to have suffered sexual abuse when she was young

Molly Boydon, from the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: ‘Film and TV play a big part in shaping understanding of abortion. It’s important that depictions on screen do their best to reflect the reality of abortion: it’s a safe and routine part of healthcare that one in three women will access in their life time.’

The movie, which is currently the number one film on Netflix’s UK service, has been accused of being sexist and exploitative

Steph Herold, a researcher studying abortion in TV and film at the University of California, described the movie as ‘anti-abortion, so sexist, so exploitative’. It features multiple sexual assault scenes which Miss Herold branded ‘gratuitous and disgusting’.

The film, which has an age 18 rating in the UK, is written and directed by Andrew Dominik, who has made outspoken comments both about the film and Miss Monroe. He described Miss Monroe’s 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes as being about ‘well-dressed whores’ and has admitted his film would ‘offend everyone’.

Responding to the scenes involving abortion and assault, he added: ‘I’m not concerned with being tasteful.’

Some viewers have said they were unable to make it past the first 20 minutes, describing the film as ‘absolutely unwatchable’.