ladamedusoif

[ladamedusoif]

I know everyone sees Ted Garcia and thinks Older Peña, but you can’t tell me there isn’t a metric tonne of Older Whiskey in there too.

(He’s fine, by the way. Still a little triggered by burger restaurants but fine.)

[ladamedusoif]

I have seen it, as my angry ass posts about it prove, and I’m sorry but I really can’t see this as tasteful:

Lucy indulgently sobbing and stalking Sophie to deal with her own guilt would be fine if she got any emotional growth out of it.

Sophie subsequently telling Lucy she needs a boyfriend so she has someone else to call than her matchmaker when the man who assaulted her turns up at her door…was grim as fuck.

Lucy emerging on the steps of Sophie’s building, telling John she was going to “help her get a restraining order” and then them making out and getting back together in a conversation that was entirely about how much he loved Lucy? The epitome of a weird way to wrap this up. And yes, in my opinion, tasteless.

Plenty of people see this as troubling (just take a look at Letterboxd reviews, the New Yorker’s review of the film, etc). And just as someone is allowed to think it was well handled, so are others allowed to think it was definitely not.

did you watch the movie? in no way did it make light of assault nor did it make lucy the victim of the assault. sophie is the victim first hand and the movie makes you understand that she has been wronged and she deserves to be angry and upset. she calls out lucy loudly, you're meant to sympathize with her strongly, and it's not at all about Lucy other than her being guilty. im also speaking as an assault survivor, it was handled very tastefully and in no way did it make assault a footnote. and going to be honest you have no idea if celine has or hasn't experienced something like that to say "fuck her", for all you know this is her way of exploring it.

I haven’t watched the movie because I am very easily triggered so one of my dearest friends gave me detailed summaries instead.

Plot spoilers behind the cut because while I don’t need to defend my opinions, I sure as hell fucking will.

What you’re telling me is that having someone who’s “guilty” (mind you, Lucy is not but the man who assaulted/raped Sophie is) don a ridiculous disguise to stalk Sophie to “apologize” is not centering Lucy?

Having Sophie ignored by police during threats and forced to call Lucy — who she is supposedly perusing legal action against — for help because she “has no friends”…who then magically has the power to make the cops listen to her (re: getting a restraining order) despite their dismissive behavior towards the actual victim is not centering Lucy?

Having Sophie suddenly not care about the lawsuit/assault and Lucy’s treatment of her and just going back to Adore for another match at the end of the film since Lucy was so kind and thoughtful towards her because of self-imposed guilt is not centering Lucy?

It was explained to me that Sophie’s character is ridiculed by a former match for being “fat” (I have seen this actress and all I have to say to that is what the fuck), is clearly — and in her own words — mistreated by Lucy/Adore and her matches for being “old” and “invaluable”, and exists only to teach Lucy a lesson about self-worth over money.

You’re right that I can’t know if Celine is a survivor and this is her way of working through it. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have a serious, vocal issue with the idea that someone has convinced her that a person’s sexual assault should be allowed to be used as a “teachable moment” for a more societally privileged person, and that she herself is passing on this lesson.

(Also, I still stand by my tags because the way this movie is being marketed as a romcom and/or a love story while including this kind of plotline in any way without warning is disrespectful and problematic.)

[ladamedusoif]

#MelissaHortman

[ladamedusoif]

Reblogging to add, because I’m seeing people - including the likes of Rachel Leishman, whose work on the Mary Sue I respect - acting like people who take issue with this are ignoring that the inclusion of that subplot is “refreshing” and reflective of the reality of modern dating…

The issue isn’t that it’s realistic or common. The issue isn’t that we don’t want that in a movie about dating or whatever.

Of course it’s fucking common. It happens every fucking night in every fucking city. It’s why women set up all sorts of “safety” checks for dates and share their fucking locations with friends.

The issue is - as I pointed out above - that the victim, Sophie, was made to look pathetic before and after her ordeal, and that her assault was there *exclusively* to trigger some kind of non-existent emotional growth for a narcissist lead character.

And yes, in contrast to what I’ve seen people arguing on other platforms - plenty of women have issues with this subplot.

Yes, I am still mad at Materialists. And perplexed by reviews and people acting like anyone who didn’t like it “don’t get it.” Spoilers below the cut.

I am genuinely stunned at how few of the glowing reviews seem to be able to even see let alone recognise the extremely problematic way Sophie’s assault was used as a plot device. Like…it’s as if they blanked it out, or something, or weren’t remotely troubled by the thin, pick-me lead character with the filthy rich unicorn boyfriend basically passive aggressively making it all about HER. We’re told at one point that Lucy doesn’t see Sophie as having any value, and similarly it feels like her only value to the film, too, is to be traumatised and hurt in order to boost Lucy’s fragile fucking ego.

Everyone seems to be in service and in thrall to that girl and honestly? I have no idea why. We’re not told why, sure, but because she’s played flat as a pancake and dead behind the eyes it makes it all the more unconvincing.

Lucy: “I think I’m bad at my joooooobbbb the client I treat like shit got assaulted but it’s all about MEEEEEEE”

Me:

[ladamedusoif]

Yes, I am still mad at Materialists. And perplexed by reviews and people acting like anyone who didn’t like it “don’t get it.” Spoilers below the cut.

I am genuinely stunned at how few of the glowing reviews seem to be able to even see let alone recognise the extremely problematic way Sophie’s assault was used as a plot device. Like…it’s as if they blanked it out, or something, or weren’t remotely troubled by the thin, pick-me lead character with the filthy rich unicorn boyfriend basically passive aggressively making it all about HER. We’re told at one point that Lucy doesn’t see Sophie as having any value, and similarly it feels like her only value to the film, too, is to be traumatised and hurt in order to boost Lucy’s fragile fucking ego.

Everyone seems to be in service and in thrall to that girl and honestly? I have no idea why. We’re not told why, sure, but because she’s played flat as a pancake and dead behind the eyes it makes it all the more unconvincing.

Lucy: “I think I’m bad at my joooooobbbb the client I treat like shit got assaulted but it’s all about MEEEEEEE”

Me:

[ladamedusoif]

Also, and there are actual spoilers under the cut so BE WARNED:

Am I the only person who thought we’d find out that Harry was going on a date with Sophie? But no, of course not. Poor, sad Sophie, the too-old lawyer that no one wants (she’s 39! Gasp! She’s only considered middling in attractiveness! She’s so pathetic that she remains a client with the matchmaking firm she sued!) and ends up “settling” albeit apparently enthusiastically.

Meanwhile the unicorn, the man who spoke eloquently about wanting to love but having no idea how to, who challenged the stuff Lucy spouted at him with her dead-eyed gaze about how shit she’ll look at 45, is going on his first date with…a 30 year old.

Don’t mind me I’ll be over here yeeting my ancient and disgusting self off a cliff

Note: this is not criticism or a dig at anyone who legitimately liked it. Just to be clear. But this gif? This?

It’s me, having seen Materialists, reading all the incredibly glowing reviews and wondering if I’m going insane.

[ladamedusoif]

Note: this is not criticism or a dig at anyone who legitimately liked it. Just to be clear. But this gif? This?

It’s me, having seen Materialists, reading all the incredibly glowing reviews and wondering if I’m going insane.

[ladamedusoif]

Putting this out there, including how it impacted you, is a brave but important thing to do, @mani-pedro. I had heard about this aspect of the plot but not how much it involved. (As an aside, while I understand wanting to keep plots under wraps, I'm concerned at how the cutesy marketing for this film - including the often gimmicky runs of interviews with the cast - could seriously mislead audiences in the absence of clear content warnings…)

I’m begging my fellow sexual assault survivors, please read this before you see Materialists:

There is a 20+ minute segment about one of Dakota’s clients being raped. They drag out the aftermath. Enormous emotional upheaval. Client blames dakota when it’s not her fault.

And then later on, they revisit it again when the victim is about to be revictimized and she calls dakota for help because the police won’t come help her and he is at her door and you can hear him banging. Dakota is an hour drive away and the tension is AWFUL. I fought off a panic attack, and nearly ran out crying. Had to do tapping exercises on my face for half the drive home, to keep from having a full breakdown.

Please, please take care of yourselves and think twice before seeing Materialists. 💕💕

[ladamedusoif]

permission for a tiny fandom rant and apologies for once again being the Debbie Downer crawling nekkid and wild-haired out of her well to complain but:

i can’t be the only person tired as fuck of the way both those huge clickbaity and fan accounts on social media intentionally clip and edit stuff from interviews, videos, and promo, divest it of all context, and do so in the hope of creating “viral” moments and boosting their engagement, regardless of how accurately or not it reflects the thing being said/done.

And it always works. Always. Bad enough when stupid clickbait pages do it; but when so-called fan pages do this it feels even more egregious. Especially knowing what it inevitably leads to (abuse for the person they’re apparently a “fan” of, increasingly.)

Maybe it’s my academic brain being resistant to stuff deliberately being detached from context that makes me uncomfortable with this shit. Maybe it’s the unease with how it’s these “viral moments” that shape how a person (I’m not saying this only happens to P) is viewed by the general public, not the actual things they say or do. Or maybe it’s annoyance at the way this keeps fuckin’ happening, reducing a person to a kind of punchline and overshadowing everything else they do.

Sigh. (There’s a whole other conversation to be had about the way movies and TV are marketed now and what “press” tours look like, but I should give it a rest.)

[ladamedusoif]

that man looks pathetic and yet whimsical ! im keeping him

[ladamedusoif]

pro hoe ✨pro virgin✨pro choice✨pro sex on the 1st date✨pro waiting til marriage✨pro anything thats consensual & you’re comfortable with✨

[ladamedusoif]

Have just had an update on something personal that’s been causing me dreadful anxiety and I am so RELIEVED I just want to dance around the place. And also tell everyone how fucking relieved I am, hence this post.

Please take this delicious nerd as a tax. Thank you.

[ladamedusoif]

i'm not sure you've caught it the first time so let's do it once again and slower

[ladamedusoif]

pause whatever it is you’re doing and please appreciate this ridiculous phone case i got

you may now proceed with your day, thank u for ur time

[ladamedusoif]

I have to admit… it scares me how much Pedro is being overwhelmed right now. In videos and pictures, it all seems easy, light, almost playful... but to me, it feels unsettling. Fans or maybe just curious strangers keep getting closer. Not just close, but too close, without pause or respect. What matters is the photo, the touch, the moment of being first.

There was one video that truly broke my heart. Pedro, surrounded by security, while the crowd around him showed no mercy No space, no kindness. Just need. And then there are the stalker-like actions. A handmade bracelet can be a beautiful thing but the way it reached him was disturbing.

I just wish people would let him breathe. Give him space. Let him exist without always being consumed.

He gives so much. Warmth, presence, love. The least we can give him is respect.

[ladamedusoif]

there was a post on here a while ago about how people acting like they’re the self-appointed “leaders” or superior members of a fandom are enormous red flags.

Seeing as some of them are out in force and acting vindicated in this fandom… this is just a reminder about that.

[ladamedusoif]

Pedro Pascal | CCXP Mexico 2025 | May 31, 2025