Netflix has just released a new thriller starring Mila Kunis, Luckiest Girl Alive, which viewers have praised for its realistic portrayal of trauma and victim blaming. The actress stars as Ani FaNelli, a woman who appears to have it all: a great job, her dream wedding on the horizon, and a home in New York. Yet, when she is approached by a director of a true crime documentary to share the story of a harrowing incident that took place in her adolescence, Ani is forced to confront past traumas.
The film reveals that Ani’s PTSD is related to a school shooting and brutal gang rape. Viewers have commended the film’s approach to dealing with such heavy topics. In response, tweets have flooded in with praise, with one user saying: “Luckiest Girl Alive is the best depiction of Complex PTSD I’ve ever seen. A moving portrayal of coping with assault in a culture that protects the perpetrators.”
Another user said: “Luckiest Girl Alive on Netflix was such a great portrayal of what life is like before, during and after a rape. For all survivors, this will hit hard. I truly hope all my male friends watch and try to understand how we feel.”
Adding: “This was such a powerful and important film and Mila did an incredible job wow. It had some painfully accurate moments exploring trauma and grief. The transitions between teen Ani and adult Ani were excellent. The ending was perfect. I loved it. Amazing film.”
However, other viewers have urged people that have yet to watch the film to be aware of triggering content, with one user writing, “Heads up to anyone who wants to watch Luckiest Girl Alive on Netflix. The movie is triggering, heavy and the sexual violence scenes are graphic. I hate it when they do this coz there was no trigger warning.”
Although the streaming service put brief warnings over the beginning of the film that stated “sexual violence” and “threat”, viewers believe that a stronger trigger warning should be implemented.
One user said, “If someone is thinking about watching #LuckiestGirlAlive on Netflix then please make sure to read all the warnings!! The story is about a real woman and it’s absolutely phenomenal but at the same time REALLY triggering.”
