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Femininity as an enabling alibi

In Netflix's 'May December,' marriage and motherhood are used as cover for abuse.

Tracy Clark-Flory's avatar
Tracy Clark-Flory
Dec 06, 2023
∙ Paid
A still from May December. Image: Netflix

In the opening scenes of Netflix’s May December, we’re met with the very picture of feminine domesticity. Gracie, played by Julianne Moore, is in her kitchen wearing a fluttery blouse while smoothing the icing on a white layer cake in preparation for a Memorial Day barbecue at her house. She cautions her husband …

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