The phrase "chick flick" is still widely used by movie buffs today to define all those feel-good films which (typically) star a young, beautiful actress, her girlfriends, and a hunky male lead. Case in point. But, Netflix is trying to change the conversation. In a string of urgent tweets, the Netflix Film account explained why our culture needs to cease and desist from using that now outdated term.
Quick PSA: Can we stop calling films “chick flicks” unless the films are literally about small baby chickens? Here’s why this phrase should absolutely be retired (thread):
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
For starters, “chick flicks” are traditionally synonymous with romantic comedies. This suggests that women are the only people interested in 1. Romance 2. Comedy. Which I can promise from the men I’ve come across in my life – simply isn’t true.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
There aren’t sweeping categories specific to men. You don’t hear people asking to watch “man movies” – instead, pretty much every intersection of genre is on the table and seen as for men, except of course, the aforementioned rom-coms.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
The term "chick flick" also somehow diminishes the filmmakers' efforts.
The term also cheapens the work that goes into making these types of films. Romantic comedies and/or films centered around female leads go through just as much editing, consideration, and rewriting as any other film.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
And nicknaming films “chick flicks” drives home that there’s something trivial about watching them. But what’s trivial about watching a film that makes you feel 1,000 emotions in ~90 minutes?
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
Overall, there’s nothing inherently gendered about liking a light-hearted film with a strong female lead and emotional arc. So next time you call something a "chick flick," you better be referring to Chicken Run.
— Netflix Film (@NetflixFilm) April 15, 2019
Donald Trump Jr. spoke for many conservatives - actually, a lot of film lovers in general - when he tweeted:
Ugh. PC bullshit ruins everything. https://t.co/DMzbO9i5vA
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 15, 2019
Marlene King, the creator of the show "Pretty Little Liars," which aired on ABC Family/Freeform and which now is available on Netflix, defended the term on Tuesday.
"Love you Netflix but maybe we want to own the label," she tweeted. "Maybe it empowers us to own it. Like @PLLTVSeries took back the word ‘b*tch.'”
Netflix has released several original films that fit the traditional "chick flick" category in the past year and plans to release more this year, including The Perfect Date, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, The Kissing Booth, and The Last Summer.