'House of the Dragon' Star Matt Smith Criticizes Trigger Warnings In Television

[stewie_e]

Matt Smith The Times Culture - I used to go to a local video shop and get erotic thrillers like Basic Instinct... films now are being dumbed down by trigger warnings https://t.co/EfxvHzWPU8
- Daily Mail Celebrity (@DailyMailCeleb) September 1, 2024
Matt Smith, 41, isn't a fan of trigger warnings

Comments

[sillyskinny]

I'm a little bit torn on this.

I 100% why they are useful.

At the same, I'd be annoyed if a trigger warning before the a film / tv show gave away the plot twist or core of the story.

However, I guess my annoyance is not as important as a survivor of [blank] or someone who's overcome [blank] not being triggered or retraumatized.

[januarysix]

oh this happened recently to some movie I saw in the theater but now I can't remember which one.

[jeuxdemaux]

blink twice?

[januarysix]

Oh yeah that’s the one

[warwarwar]

Aahhh I walked into the theater a minute late so I missed the warning and was pretty surprised at the graphic depiction of it. While I guess I like that it wasn’t spoiled, I didn’t really like that being the point of the movie overall.

[swissbeauty23]

lol my dumbass didn't even put two and two together and was shocked by the twist (and I usually guess them)

[ninasafiri]

That's a good point about spoilers, but I honestly can't think of anything mainstream I've watched with plot specific trigger warnings. Usually it's just a boilerplate "This content may not be appropriate for all audiences" or "Contains graphic images/strong language".

[crazyfreakyaj]

I think it’s when they do the whole TW for suicide, rape, domestic violence, type of stuff that makes it on the spoiler-y side

[komichi]

That said a story should be good enough to stand on its own merit even if you know in a broad way that certain subjects are addressed. I think a lot of stories rely on the shock factor which usually isn’t actually good writing.

[frelling_tralk]

Apple did have a warning before an episode of Severance about how there would be a scene featuring a suicide. And they had a similar warning before an episode of The Morning Show. Personally spoilers didn’t particularly bother me, but I guess you could argue that that was a pretty big plot point to spoil for all viewers whether they had actually wanted to be made aware in advance or not.

Maybe they could have an option to select whether you want to view any trigger warnings before the episode or movie, or if you can skip them?

[ninasafiri]

Oh that's interesting! I had no idea that was a new trend. I watch a lot of horror/medical/crime media so I'm used to seeing the general content warnings, but haven't watched anything with episode specific warnings.

I like the way Dimension 20 does their content warnings - at the beginning of every episode there is a screen that states all content warnings are detailed in the episode description with time stamps included. So viewers can check it out if they want to. A great setup for online only streaming media, but idk what the equivalent would be for TV.

[ginainabottle]

I always see mentions of severance and maybe it's cause i don't usually care for 'spoilers' but i didn't think twice about that TW bc it could've literally been for any character. surely the build up starts to make it more obvious but severance is so wonderfully crafted that i can't even comprehend thinking that type of TW could ruin the experience. same for baby reindeer - when the build up to a certain TW starts happening the actual outcome becomes fairly obvious (and i was thankful that i was able to mentally prepare myself for it) but it most certainly didn't make the experience any less impactful.

people are genuinely so dumb that they think good entertainment equals shock factor, even if everything else is pointless and poorly done.

[varioussaints]

Same. I feel like the inclusion of the newer, more specific trigger warnings should be optional (something published by the producers of whatever content that you can seek out). I can appreciate that individuals might have specific needs that go beyond what is warned for or otherwise contemplated by the existing rating systems for TV shows and movies, but as far as I know those systems were otherwise working pretty well in communicating general content warnings without spoiling anything. So maybe the answer is that anything additional is optional but readily accessible to meet the needs of both groups.

[anachan87]

I think there should be a way for trigger warnings to be available for people who need them* but for them not be on "in your face" for people who do not want them.

*Especially when it comes to paid content, like going to the cinema, you should be absolutely permitted to see the list of trigger warnings before making a purchase.

[reciprokates]

Yeah, that was my first thought too. Everyone who really needs them, has a very serious reason why. But to everyone else it can be an annoyance if the warnings are too telling.

What I don't get: Why don't streaming services use their unique advantage here?n Let users choose in their settings, what trigger warnings are relevant for them and then only show those before a show or film starts. Or offer a "by case" option. Basically like the cookie-banners we have in the EU, but better structured.

Even linear tv could use other options. A dedicated teletext page that always shows the trigger warnings of the current program, which would make the trigger warnings an opt-in choice and also those who need them, can access them, even if they missed the first few seconds.

Generally I don't need to have them. But during some phases, I have to avoid certain topics for my mental health. And that's when I'm really glad that warnings give me security, to enjoy content without risking triggers.