Many find the film problematic as it is based on a novel that already reimagines Monroe's life, as opposed to a film based on a proper biography.
This week, Netflix was in the spotlight after it released the official trailer of Blonde, starring Ana de Armas.
Watched by all. Seen by none.
— Netflix (@netflix) July 28, 2022
Ana de Armas is Marilyn Monroe in Blonde, premiering September 28. pic.twitter.com/vQHUqsmVGy
The fictional movie is based on the 2000 novel, Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates, and has earned an NC-17 rating. Blonde will explore how the Hollywood industry's violence led Monroe to lose her sense of identity. And because of the dark subject matter and depiction of sexual assault, it is the first Netflix-produced film rated NC-17. The high age rating was no surprise to the director Andrew Dominik, in response to which he has said that he's not making a movie that's going to "run for public office" and "if the audience doesn't like it, that's the f***ing audience's problem," reported LADBible.
After the release of the trailer, Blonde started facing backlash on Twitter.
"I think an NC-17 violent fantasy about Marilyn Monroe presenting itself as a biography, or even if it was upfront about being a fantasy is pretty appalling," film critic Grace Randolph tweeted.
I’m not covering #Blonde in any capacity
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) July 28, 2022
I think an NC-17 violent fantasy about #MarilynMonroe presenting itself as a biography - or even if it was upfront about being a fantasy - is pretty appalling.
Many found the film problematic as it is based on a novel that already reimagines Monroe's life, as opposed to a film based on a proper biography.
REMINDER ‼️
— ivy | LUMINOUS (@M0ONYVES) July 28, 2022
blonde is heavily based on a FICTIONAL book about marilyn monroe that will go to feed the public more lies about her. this is NOT a biopic
also, the nc-17 rating is just bc that man wants to, not bc it’s needed. it’s a way to sexualize her even more. https://t.co/ox21S2ObuC
Others are concerned that Blonde could be an exploitative fictional take on a real woman's life in which 'Marilyn Monroe has no say' on how her story is told and what events she could be depicted in.
ana de armas as marilyn monroe in blonde.. this is insanity pic.twitter.com/m3s9hEIw8n
— norma jeane (@versaceschanel) July 27, 2022
The trailer also received some appreciation from fans. While one person noted, "She deserves to be portrayed with sincerity and humanity and this definitely looks promising," another user commented that the trailer "really captures the beauty of the darkest moments of Marilyn Monroe’s life offscreen."