Gratuitous rape scenes

[WallToWallBastards]

could be sensitive or triggering

I've just finished watching the first episode of American Horror Story Hotel. In the first 20 minutes there was a really sadistic and violent rape scene that seems to be irrelevant to the plot (why would it need to be? ) I know AHS has form for this in previous series but everything I watch seems to have unnecessary graphic rape scenes, seemingly just for shock value. Even in media where it moves the plot along, why does it have to be depicted, especially so horrifically? I've noticed my friends commenting on how sexy some of the rape scenes are, male and female, and that I'm just frigid and how if you get upset by actually being raped you're overreacting and that men can't be raped and it's not rape if you've consented before and it's half way through the moon phase and you smiled at them and you're wearing a nice bra

I'm now prepared to be told I am very unreasonable and possibly oversensitive but with this, porn, 50 Shades of shit Grey, I'm worried about how desensitised people seem to be becoming to this

I agree that many rape scenes in film and TV don't seem to be entirely necessary, but seriously what on earth is wrong with your friends?

A bit off topic but in the new Krays film Legend, there is an implied rape scene between Reggie and his wife Frances. This really pissed me off as there were no reports/indication that this ever happened. In fact it is generally belived that the marriage was never even consummated, let alone any rape. It was just made up and inserted into the film for 'shock' purpose. Absolutely no need.

Yeah, I hate when writers get lazy and use rape as a reason a female character is dysfunctional or has a "dark secret". There's never any characters that move on with their lives, it all has to come back to the rape.

I'm in no way minimizing rape for real victims of course, or overlooking ptsd. But.. it's never portrayed that way in movies.

I think Game of Thrones did a good job with it and showing how it affected different characters differently, and it wasn't pivotal to their characters either. But it was important to the plot.

But then you have Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and it's basically an excuse to feel sorry for the character so you can overlook her anti-social behavior and not think she's an unsavory character. If that scene wasn't in the movie, no one would support how she behaved. Don't get me wrong, it was a great movie and I had fun watching her terrorize her rapist. It just seemed like her being raped was the only thing that made her a sympathetic character instead of her character itself.

I disagree that the rape scene(s?) in Made in England was gratuitous. It was scary, damaging, disturbing and memorable.

There was nothing gratifying whatsoever.

It portrayed rape perfectly IMHO.

I wish there were warnings on content with rape scenes tbh. I know they sometimes say this film contains scenes some viewers might find upsetting - but watching a crappy gorey film with plenty of fake blood is fine for me to watch whereas rape scenes are hugely triggering for me. I avoid them where possible but sometimes they are just shoved in. Had to stop watching Downton for a while because of this

Agree with PP, the rape scene in TIE is anything but gratuitous bunique.

I am on the fence with rape scenes tbh. Because some are just there pointlessly and makes me think it's there to excite the viewers. A rape scene, imo, should be disturbing (like in TIE) not exciting. It isn't something I want to watch. Quite honestly Fifty shades of grey turned my stomach. My auntie loved it until I asked if she would like her dd in that relationship.

I don't think rape scenes should be banned. It happens, the same as murders happen. But it's shouldn't be done to excite people.

I refuse to believe the views you describe your friends having are genuine views that any adult would hold.

Oyster, you only need to read the comment sections in the newspaper, or look at the outcome of rape trails to know that sadly many adults hold these views.

Step 1 Stop watching AHS
Step 2 Get new, non-wanker friends.......

I agree that the TIE scene was disturbing (I actually think it is one of the most disturbing things I've ever seen on television or film and both my husband and I shed tears over it) and maybe gratuitous is not the right word but where it sits uncomfortably for me is on a few levels: 1) I think (from memory - long time since I watched the series) that we already knew about Lol's childhood abuse, if it was a plot device to prove her dad was a complete bastard then it was unnecessary 2) there had already been another rape scene just before (Trev) - I know this sets up what happens next but actually having watching the most recent episodes I'd almost forgotten about it because what came next eclipsed it, to me it kind of diminishes the impact on Trev and 3) Lol gets the satisfaction of putting her rapist in the ground which is not an option open to almost any other victim. The rape is then used to drive the plot of two more series.

"I refuse to believe the views you describe your friends having are genuine views that any adult would hold"

Well my mother, who is educated, generally fairly liberal, and intelligent, thinks the Ched Evans case was complicated because the girl was drunk. Victim blaming where rape is concerned is incredibly common. This is the more extreme end, but it's perfectly possible imo.

I find rape scenes extremely uncomfortable viewing - they make me wince. But I had assumed that's what they're supposed to do. Are you sure your friends aren't just winding you up op?

and how if you get upset by actually being raped you're overreacting and that men can't be raped

I would never be friends with anyone who thought like that.

Yanbu. I just don't understand why people find violence on tv entertaining.

I find watching rape scenes really horrible. I hate it. I haven't watched TIE but they are everywhere. I found the girl with the dragon tattoo scene upsetting. I don't know why producers think half the audience want to see it?

AHS does have form for the shocking and taboo - their reliance on stillborn children etc as a plot device has always upset me so I'm not surprised that they'd choose something like rape to get people talking about the new series. Especially as they didnt receive good reviews for Freak Show and this series doesnt have Jessica Lange.