BY LILY REAVIS ’21
“Fifty Shades Freed” was released in theaters on Friday, Feb. 9 and, according to Forbes Magazine, earned $137 million globally on its opening weekend. The movie is the long-awaited end to the story of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey: a drawn-out, out-of-tricks, thinly-veiled abusive relationship. The final movie completely missed an opportunity for social progress through erotic thrillers by continuing to portray abuse instead of highlighting the importance of mutual consent and enjoyment within BDSM (bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism) relationships.
Throughout the entire franchise, the relationship between Anastasia and Christian has tried and failed to reflect healthy BDSM. Bits and pieces of the real thing make it through: the pair have an agreed-upon contract, they use safe words and have conversations about their limits. However, each one of these healthy, important pieces of BDSM is discounted as Christian continuously goes back on his word not to hurt Ana. This is first seen in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” when he promises not to touch her “until he has her written permission,” and then tries to convince her to sign the contract while pinning her down in bed.
The premiere of the final movie has aligned with the massive #MeToo social movement, which calls the relationship into even greater moral question. In a time so defined by encouraging and supporting victims of sexual assault to speak out, Christian’s domineering and controlling actions are concerning. He consistently promises to listen to Ana and then breaks these promises. He forces her to endure more than she tells him she can handle, and keeps track of her every movement. Anyone observing this relationship would immediately see that it is abusive, but E. L. James, the author of the book, uses BDSM as an excuse for each and every one of Christian’s assaults. BDSM is not an excuse to harm others, and the way it is portrayed in the “Fifty Shades” trilogy is misleading and dangerous and perpetuates stereotypes about BDSM.
“Fifty Shades Freed” touches upon other forms of abuse, along with the constant sexual assault. Christian agrees to marry Ana so he “doesn’t have to share her with anyone” — which is not a good reason to get married — and immediately takes control of her finances. He constantly gets rid of her belongings and replaced them without her permission and despite her protests.
Even after they’re engaged, Christian’s abusive behavior persists. In one of the most-anticipated scenes, he gets mad at her for going out in her bikini top on their honeymoon. Instead of taking the time to talk through his emotions, he decides to punish her by covering her chest in hickies. Ana is enraged, but decides once again not to talk about her feelings and she drops it. This illustrates signs of an unhealthy, abusive relationship.
The “Fifty Shades of Grey” movies are always released around Valentine’s Day, sending the message to viewers that abusive relationships are romantic. That, along with the underlying assertion made by Christian’s character that women enjoy all sexual contact, whether or not consent is present, is incredibly dangerous. The movie encourages something that is not BDSM, and imitators are incredibly likely to experience assault.
BDSM relationships can be healthy and fulfilling. It requires mutual respect and the ability to talk things through. Christian and Ana are incapable of either, and in the end “Fifty Shades Freed” is the story of an abusive relationship exploring new levels of control.