Debunking the normalisation of sexual violence on screen through #MeToo movement: The case of Hollywood films

Abstract

This study examines the denormalisation of sexual violence against women in the #MeToo movement-themed Hollywood films. The strong presence of the social-political #MeToo movement in the past decade has influenced Hollywood films. The movement plays a major role in increasing public awareness of how devastating sexual abuse is against women and in challenging the current patriarchal system in society. This study uses descriptive research methods and adopts thematic analysis to critically analyse the denormalisation of sexual violence against women in Hollywood films with the #MeToo movement as their theme. This research used three Hollywood films as the units of analyses: On the Record, Athlete A, and Bombshell. This study found that these films are essential in denormalising sexual violence against women on screen. The findings show the three important characteristics shared among these three films. First, they shed light on the existence of the power imbalance between the perpetrators and victims. Second, they show the transformation of female victims of sexual violence into feminist figures. Last, they denormalise sexual abuse. The findings benefit academics who are interested in movie and gender studies as well as practitioners who promote gender equality and women’s rights.

Keywords : Hollywood film; the #MeToo Movement; Sexual Violence; Denormalisation of Sexual Violence