Zack Snyder’s new sci-fi film, “Rebel Moon,” released on Netflix, has stirred up a conversation in the LGBTQ community. The movie, awaited by sci-fi enthusiasts, unfortunately, revives an antiquated and criticized depiction: the predatory gay character.
In a notable scene, a grotesque male alien displays overt sexual aggression towards a male protagonist. This inclusion is seen as a regression in the portrayal of queer characters, a trope historically used to villainize and sexualize LGBTQ identities.
Snyder’s past works have often been scrutinized for similar portrayals. In “300,” the antagonists are marked by effeminate traits, and “Watchmen” opens with the brutal killing of a lesbian couple. These films, although adaptations, reflect a pattern in Snyder’s approach to queer characters.
The discussion around “Rebel Moon” highlights the ongoing struggle for nuanced and respectful representation of LGBTQ characters in mainstream cinema. Despite the presence of a nonbinary character, the film’s reliance on an outdated trope raises questions about the progress in queer representation in Hollywood.