Twists, Tropes & Trigger Warnings: Today’s Woke Hollywood Would Never Make These Films

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In the golden era of cinema, countless timeless movies were born, enchanting viewers with their wit, narratives, and enduring characters. Yet, in today’s atmosphere marked by heightened sensitivity and political correctness, many of these cherished classics might encounter substantial obstacles during production or even be rejected outright. The drive to foster inclusivity and avoid causing offense is, to some extent, comprehensible, especially when ESG funding is at play. However, this push has resulted in a creatively barren landscape of self-censorship and risk aversion within the entertainment industry.

For example, consider the 1974 comedy film titled “Blazing Saddles.” This satirical Western, directed by Mel Brooks, boldly confronted racism using its humorous and incisive commentary. Given its use of racial slurs and sexual humor, it’s questionable whether a contemporary movie studio would greenlight such a film today.

A movie like “Airplane!” (1980) might find it hard to be released nowadays due to its over-the-top, comedic style that often features jokes about drug use, sexuality, and racial stereotypes, which are typically considered too inappropriate for contemporary viewers.

In a retrospective view as a movie critic, I must say that the 1982 film “Porky’s” truly broke barriers with its bold humor and explicit sexual content. It struck a chord with viewers due to its relatable coming-of-age narrative and humorous depiction of teenage sexuality. However, looking back from today’s perspective, the film’s voyeuristic scenes and objectification of women would undeniably be viewed as problematic in our current cultural climate, reflecting societal norms that have evolved significantly since then.

Titled “Sleepaway Camp” (1983), this classic horror movie with a jaw-dropping twist ending has long been remembered for its cheesiness. However, in today’s context, it might face severe criticism due to its controversial finale. For those unfamiliar (spoiler alert), the climax would undoubtedly trigger strong reactions from gender identity advocates, as they have already expressed disapproval towards it. The twist is so disturbing that even putting aside political views, it could be deemed as insensitive and potentially harmful to the LGBTQ+ community.

These classic 1980s teen comedies, specifically “Sixteen Candles” (1984) and “The Breakfast Club” (1985), might face challenges in the current societal landscape. Although they are fondly remembered for their authentic portrayal of adolescent struggles and emotions, their use of racial stereotypes, offensive language, and casual sexism would be deemed too insensitive by today’s standards.

This transformation in storytelling has brought about a cleaning up process, where bold humor and thought-provoking themes are frequently set aside to make way for more broadly acceptable, less risky content. The fear of negative reactions or being silenced has made many artists hesitate in their creative decisions, potentially suppressing creativity and narrowing the scope of stories that get told. By steering clear of contentious subjects or softening complex characters, we miss out on valuable opportunities for thoughtful discussion and social critique that these productions used to offer.

Discussing James Bond’s earlier adventures, where his portrayal of women might appear sexist in today’s standards, or a timeless comedy like “Some Like It Hot” with its male characters in drag – both would likely face criticism for being offensive in modern society. Could we see these problematic films disappear from home video and streaming platforms? It’s plausible that we’ve reached a point where sensitivity toward political correctness might lead to such decisions. However, let’s hope we are past the peak of political correctness and can once again enjoy a bit of humor, albeit insensitive at times, in our cinematic experiences.

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2025-02-27 16:00