So when the trailer for Sierra Burgess Is a Loser dropped, we were pretty damn excited, especially because it was going to touch on important teen issues like bullying, body-image issues, insecurities and social status. NOT to mention that the legendary Shannon Purser was in the lead role.
However, what we were left with was a trash-fire MESS of homophobia, transophobia, fat-shaming, revenge porn and sexual assault. Not to mention the entire film is based on cat-fishing.
Here are all the issues with Sierra Burgess Is a Loser...
HOMOPHOBIA
One of the main things the movie has been criticised for is homophobia. Chrissy Metz' character as Veronica's mum shows her constantly criticise her for hanging out with Sierra, because she assumes that she is a lesbian. In fact, Sierra constantly wonders why people think she's a lesbian - because of how she looks - and considers being a lesbian as an insult.
TRANSPHOBIA
At the start of the movie, Alice Lee's character Mackenzie tells Sierra to write her homework "about [her] trans experience, super topical." Her teacher doesn't even reprimand her for the poor joke.
FAKING DEAFNESS WHILE MAKING A HERMAPHRODITE JOKE
We don't even need to explain how shit this is, but Sierra fakes being deaf so that she doesn't have to speak to Jamey (Noah Centineo), which is pretty horrendous.
America's Next Top Model winner and deaf activist Nyle DiMarco was "elated" when his close friend's deaf brother, Cochise Zornoza, was cast in Sierra Burgess. "Finally more deaf actors/representation & ASL inclusion in films," he tweeted.
However, many people including Nyle slammed production for making fun of those with disabilities. "...Only to find out the deaf character was written and used for a terrible joke," Nyle wrote. "PS- pretending to be deaf is NOT ok."
In the same scene, Sierra's best friend Dan (RJ Cyler) quickly goes along with her being deaf, and uses that opportunity to joke that she is a hermaphrodite. Totally unnecessary.
BODY-SHAMING
Sierra basically blames all her issues and horrible actions on the fact that she is plus-size, like that's any excuse to be a bad person.
She looks at her skinny mother to blame as well.
SEXUAL ASSAULT/CATFISHING
There is so much wrong with Catfishing, as MTV can tell you. Also, it is illegal. But this movie has completely romanticised the action of catfishing, and even let Sierra get the guy in the end instead of paying the consequences.
Sierra and Jamey eventually kiss at the end of the film, and it's consensual which is fine. But their first kiss is VERY problematic. While Jamey goes on a date with Veronica, Sierra stalks them and jumps in while Jamey has his eyes closed to kiss him. Jamey is under the impression that he is kissing Veronica, not Sierra. That is quite literally sexual assault.
REVENGE PORN
Sierra and Veronica eventually become great friends, and to be honest, Veronica is the best part of the entire movie. So, when Jamey kisses Veronica and Sierra see's, she retaliates in the worst way ever - revenge porn.
Sierra hacks into Veronica's phone and broadcasts the photo of Veronica and Spence kissing to her 20k plus followers, alongside the message of him dumping her via DM.
And that, my friends, is why Sierra Burgess Is a Loser is major trash.
