University of Kwazulu-Natal

Trigger Warnings Aren T Spoilers Or Needlessly Woke Collider

Bonisiwe Shabane
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trigger warnings aren t spoilers or needlessly woke collider

In recent years, trigger warnings have become an increasingly integral part of much of the media that audiences interact with on a daily basis. Social media content, podcasts, and television episodes commonly feature warnings before their content begins, offering a simple way to inform audiences about potentially harmful or distressing content. Despite this, trigger warnings have yet to become common practice in the cinematic world. In the wake of recently released films like It Ends With Us and Blink Twice, which both offer explorations into the horrors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, discussions about these types of warnings... While some may argue that the presence of trigger warnings may lead to parts of stories being "spoiled" for audiences, the controversy surrounding ambiguously marketed films like It Ends With Us proves that the... When audiences are unknowingly brought into a triggering scenario, it can lead to the viewer feeling blindsided.

A lack of trigger warnings can also be a great disservice to the movie and its potential for success. As the discussion around the presence of trigger warnings continues, it is important to stress how they are almost always a harmless yet meaningful way to ensure that the moviegoing experience remains safe and... Much of the online discussion around the 2024 film It Ends With Us has centered around its leading actors' rather trivial and mostly hypothetical drama on set. In fact, the film has garnered so much attention that it has become one of the highest-grossing films of the year. While this style of controversy may prove beneficial in terms of box office success, it ultimately pushed discussions about what the film is actually about to the side. This, alongside a rather ambiguous and romanticized marketing campaign, ultimately led many unsuspecting viewers to witness a rather traumatizing story about domestic abuse with no sort of warning beforehand.

Although the film does feature an end credits notice that offers resources to real-life victims of domestic abuse, its placement in the film made it so that many viewers never got to see it. In the weeks that followed, audiences saw Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut Blink Twice prefaced by a trigger warning regarding the film's sexual violence content, which many suspected to be a direct response to It... While it is impossible to know whether the team behind Blink Twice inserted the trigger warning after witnessing the backlash of other similarly themed films, it is safe to say that some audiences would... When comparing how the two films handled their potentially unnerving content, audiences have celebrated Blink Twice for allowing room for those viewers who wish to be informed of anxiety-inducing scenes beforehand. Both television and film have an immense power to immerse audiences into the world of the stories they tell, including the traumatic and unnerving events that are oftentimes so important to share on screen. For viewers who suffer from PTSD, anxiety, or various other mental health conditions, these scenes can oftentimes be an overwhelming viewing experience that reminds them of traumas from their past or trigger distressed feelings...

Television networks have become particularly aware of the potential risks of not including trigger warnings in their content, as evidenced by major shows like Industry, Euphoria, and Baby Reindeer all including content notices ahead... This trend becoming the industry standard for popular television shows makes TV viewing a much safer space. The new Evita revival in London’s West End, starring Rachel Zegler and directed by Jamie Lloyd, was always going to spark a conversation. From its stripped-down aesthetic to the now-viral staging of “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” sung from a balcony outside the theatre, this production invites strong reactions. But the latest controversy isn’t about Zegler’s performance or Lloyd’s vision. It’s about a sign.

Specifically, a sign in the foyer of the Open Air Theatre warning audiences about haze, flashing lights, and loud music. Some tabloids jumped on it, calling the production “woke” for adding “trigger warnings.” Online, a few commenters complained that the list of effects was “ridiculous” and spoiled the experience. But this outrage misses the point entirely. Let’s be clear. Content warnings are not spoilers. They are tools.

And in many cases, they are life-saving ones. For patrons with photosensitive epilepsy, a flashing light warning isn’t about comfort. It’s about safety. Without it, an audience member could experience a seizure mid-performance. For others, such as veterans with PTSD or individuals on the autism spectrum, loud sudden noises or overwhelming sensory input can trigger genuine panic responses. The warning isn’t about coddling feelings.

It’s about allowing audiences to make informed decisions about their own bodies and brains. What’s frustrating is how easily the theatre world, which prides itself on empathy and storytelling, falls into dismissive language when it comes to access and accommodation. We build entire musicals around revolution, trauma, and liberation but balk at the idea of placing a small sign near the box office? James Bond fans are shaken — and more than a few are stirred — after Amazon quietly added trigger warnings to all 25 films in the 007 franchise. The changes appeared at the start of October, when the entire Bond collection became available to stream on Prime Video, and every title now opens with a brief content advisory. Older installments like Dr.

No (1962) now warn viewers of “violence, alcohol use, smoking, and foul language,” while later films add tags for “nudity,” “sexual content,” and, in some cases, “womanising” — yes, genuinely, a warning about someone... Good grief. Still, fans quickly noticed that other moments — like Sean Connery’s racially insensitive disguise in You Only Live Twice (1967), where Bond darkens his skin and alters his eyes to pose as Japanese —... The update follows Amazon’s 2022 acquisition of MGM Studios, which gave the tech giant both distribution rights to the classic films and creative control over the Bond brand moving forward. Conservative MP Sir John Hayes, a self-professed Bond fan, blasted the move, calling it unnecessary political correctness. “Everyone knows fast cars and fast living are what James Bond is about,” he said, continuing, “It feels like they want to turn Bond into a Disney character.”

Others echoed the sentiment online. X user @W.Smint23 wrote, “We don’t need trigger warnings on anything. Stop mollycoddling humans.” Another user, @TomDennison12, posted: “When did people in the UK become so weak and feeble that a few words and jokes on old TV shows and films can bring them out... This isn’t the first time Amazon has drawn ire from Bond fans. Just last week, the company faced backlash for quietly altering promotional posters for several 007 films — including Spectre, GoldenEye, and Dr. No — to remove firearms from Bond’s hands.

In one case, Daniel Craig’s Spectre poster was cropped to hide his signature Walther PPK. Another edit left Sean Connery awkwardly posing with empty hands where his gun once was. After widespread criticism online, Amazon replaced the images with alternative artwork — notably choosing versions that still featured no weapons at all. While Amazon hasn’t publicly commented on the trigger warnings or the poster edits, the twin controversies mark a clear shift in how one of cinema’s most enduring franchises is being reframed for modern audiences. The "woke" Bond movies are on Prime Video now.

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In Recent Years, Trigger Warnings Have Become An Increasingly Integral

In recent years, trigger warnings have become an increasingly integral part of much of the media that audiences interact with on a daily basis. Social media content, podcasts, and television episodes commonly feature warnings before their content begins, offering a simple way to inform audiences about potentially harmful or distressing content. Despite this, trigger warnings have yet to become com...

A Lack Of Trigger Warnings Can Also Be A Great

A lack of trigger warnings can also be a great disservice to the movie and its potential for success. As the discussion around the presence of trigger warnings continues, it is important to stress how they are almost always a harmless yet meaningful way to ensure that the moviegoing experience remains safe and... Much of the online discussion around the 2024 film It Ends With Us has centered aroun...

Although The Film Does Feature An End Credits Notice That

Although the film does feature an end credits notice that offers resources to real-life victims of domestic abuse, its placement in the film made it so that many viewers never got to see it. In the weeks that followed, audiences saw Zoë Kravitz’s directorial debut Blink Twice prefaced by a trigger warning regarding the film's sexual violence content, which many suspected to be a direct response to...

Television Networks Have Become Particularly Aware Of The Potential Risks

Television networks have become particularly aware of the potential risks of not including trigger warnings in their content, as evidenced by major shows like Industry, Euphoria, and Baby Reindeer all including content notices ahead... This trend becoming the industry standard for popular television shows makes TV viewing a much safer space. The new Evita revival in London’s West End, starring Rac...

Specifically, A Sign In The Foyer Of The Open Air

Specifically, a sign in the foyer of the Open Air Theatre warning audiences about haze, flashing lights, and loud music. Some tabloids jumped on it, calling the production “woke” for adding “trigger warnings.” Online, a few commenters complained that the list of effects was “ridiculous” and spoiled the experience. But this outrage misses the point entirely. Let’s be clear. Content warnings are not...