Netflix Defends ‘Cuties’ Amid Fury Over Child Sexualisation
Netflix is standing firm as outrage swells over its controversial new film Cuties. Critics have slammed the drama for its sexualised portrayal of children, but the streaming giant insists the movie is a powerful commentary on the pressures young girls face in today’s hyper-sexualised society.
Backlash Over ‘Cuties’ Explosive Scenes
Released on September 9, Cuties tells the story of Amy, an 11-year-old Senegalese girl in Paris. She joins a rebellious dance group called “the Cuties,” clashing with her family’s traditional values. The film, rated TV-MA for language, has sparked fury for showing the girls doing highly sexualised dance routines and scenes critics call disturbing.
The backlash exploded online with a petition urging Netflix subscribers to cancel their accounts. The hashtag #CancelNetflix trended worldwide as angry viewers condemned the film’s content involving children.
Netflix: ‘It’s a Social Commentary, Not Exploitation’
A Netflix spokesperson told Variety: “Cuties is a social commentary against the sexualisation of young children. This award-winning film highlights the pressures girls face growing up — from social media and society. We encourage anyone concerned about these issues to watch it.”
The film premiered at Sundance in 2019, earning writer-director Maïmouna Doucouré the World Cinema Dramatic Directing Award.
Director Explains The Harsh Reality Behind ‘Cuties’
In a Netflix featurette, Doucouré reveals she spent months researching, interviewing hundreds of pre-teens about their views on femininity.
“Our girls see that the more a woman is sexualised on social media, the more she’s successful,” Doucouré explains. “And yeah, it’s dangerous.”
The film’s star, Amy, is torn between her strict Muslim mother’s traditional beliefs and the seductive allure of the dance troupe. Doucouré says Amy sees this group as a path to freedom — but the film poses the question: Is it really freedom when you’re a kid?
“Of course not. This is my story,” Doucouré states, drawing on her own upbringing in a Senegalese family in Paris.
Parents Television Council Hits Back
Conservative group Parents Television Council blasted Cuties, calling its sexualised child scenes “objectionable.” They argue these moments overshadow the film’s message about social media dangers.
- One scene shows Amy pulling down her underwear to photograph herself and post it online.
- She also attempts to seduce an adult cousin after stealing his phone.
- Later, Amy is pressured to snap a photo of a boy in a school toilet — but fails.
The PTC warns this explicit content is troubling and inappropriate, sparking ongoing debate about art, exploitation, and childhood.
