Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violent, satirical revenge movie avoids real discussion.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Asking for It
What's the Story?
In ASKING FOR IT, Joey (Kiersey Clemons) is a bubbly server at a local café who goes out with a friend one night and is tragically raped while she's unconscious. She loses her happy glow, showing up to work sullen and defeated. Café patron Regina (Alexandra Shipp) notices and befriends the suffering server. Regina introduces Joey to her group of colleagues, an army of women who are armed to the teeth and bent on getting revenge on toxic men. Sal (Radha Mitchell) is the leader, and Lily (Leslie Stratton) and Beatrice (Vanessa Hudgens) are members; all are victims of abuse. Their next target is Mark Vanderhill (Ezra Miller), the vile leader of a dangerous group that preaches male dominance.
Is It Any Good?
While it depicts terrifying (and sadly relevant) examples of toxic masculinity and abuse, this movie seems satisfied being thin, shallow fluff, dancing thoughtlessly around serious matters. Written and directed by Eamon O'Rourke, Asking for It goes even darker than Promising Young Woman in depicting just how despicable certain men can be, with date rape being among the least offensive abuses perpetrated. Most terrifying is Mark Vanderhill, who's turned his toxic masculinity into a cult, demonstrating how shouting lies loudly and repeatedly can convince people of almost anything.
Unfortunately, despite the great cast playing women who take charge of their destinies, the movie's answer is violence and revenge. And not just any violence and revenge, but B movie-style vengeance that's over-the-top and designed to elicit cheers. Truthfully, it can be temporarily satisfying in Asking for It to see these terrible men get their comeuppance, but in the end, it doesn't mean anything, and any chance to start a useful discourse is gone.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Asking for It's violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
What is toxic masculinity? How can it be identified? What can be done to counter or combat it?
What's the nature of revenge? Can it be satisfying? Why? Can it ever truly solve a problem?
Did you notice positive diverse representations? What about stereotypes?
How does the movie depict drinking and substance use? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
Movie Details
- In theaters : March 4, 2022
- On DVD or streaming : March 4, 2022
- Cast : Kiersey Clemons , Alexandra Shipp , Vanessa Hudgens
- Director : Eamon O'Rourke
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Multiracial Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Saban Films
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 97 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : disturbing and violent content, sexual material, nudity, and language throughout
- Last updated : June 29, 2023
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