‘X Men: Apocalypse’ is currently top of the UK box office, and proving a hit around the world, but that hasn’t stopped many critics voicing their displeasure with the choice of picture for the movie poster.
For the latest instalment of the comic book franchise, one of the most striking promotional images is of Oscar Isaac’s character Apocalypse choking Mystique, played by Jennifer Lawrence.
The tagline that accompanies it ‘Only the Strong will Survive’ is in keeping with the epic battles waged throughout the series, however, critics have spoken up about what they perceive to be a casual depiction of violence against women.
‘Charmed’ actress Rose McGowan has led the charge, giving a statement of her concern to the Hollywood Reporter.
“There is a major problem when the men and women at 20th Century Fox think casual violence against women is the way to market a film. There is no context in the ad, just a woman getting strangled. The fact that no one flagged this is offensive and frankly, stupid.”
“The geniuses behind this, and I use that term lightly, need to take a long hard look at the mirror and see how they are contributing to society. Imagine if it were a black man being strangled by a white man, or a gay male being strangled by a hetero? The outcry would be enormous. So let’s right this wrong. 20th Century Fox, since you can’t manage to put any women directors on your slate for the next two years, how about you at least replace your ad?
She concludes: “I’ll close with a text my friend sent, a conversation with his daughter. It follows: ‘My daughter and I were just having a deep discussion on the brutality of that hideous X-Men poster yesterday. Her words: ‘Dad, why is that monster man committing violence against a woman?’ This from a 9-year-old. If she can see it, why can’t Fox?”
Others joined her on social media to complain about the image:
However, some were quick to defend the choice of pic in the context of a battle between a superhero and a villain.
The controversy hasn't stopped the film marching to the top of the box office across the world, so far grossing more than $280million in ticket receipts.
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