A Look at the “Abduction As Romance” Trope

This video essay examines a particularly troubling movie trope.

Problematic movies have become a significant point of discussion recently, whether it’s about the actions of the filmmakers themselves or the concerning tropes that are still the norm. One of these tropes came under particular scrutiny in 2016’s Passengers, in which Chris Pratt’s character intentionally put Jennifer Lawrence in a situation where he was the only other person she would see for the rest of her life.

The way the film portrays this scenario as a romantic one rubbed many viewers the wrong way. Audiences were unsettled by the choices made by the filmmakers, even if they may not have known how exactly to label this concept. The latest video essay from Pop Culture Detective takes a deep dive into this troubling storytelling device.

The video explains how the trope often involves a violent white male kidnapping a woman, usually framed as him “protecting” her. The woman loses all of her agency, and her submitting to the whims of the man are portrayed in a positive light. To add to the uncomfortableness, these movies often end with them starting a romantic relationship. When explained, the trope rightfully sounds extremely harmful. The violent actions and threats from the man are not only justified but rewarded. A disturbing expression of toxic masculinity. By having this underlying message in so many films, we are learning entirely wrong lessons about the consequences of our actions.

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