Netflix urged to put warnings on horror films with disfigured characters ahead of Halloween

A charity has called on streaming platforms to add new on-screen warnings before certain films start.

The likes of Netflix and other platforms have been urged to caution viewers about what they're going to see before they settle down and grab the popcorn.

UK charity Changing Faces want popular platforms to be considerate of audience members with disfigurements or visible differences.

Over the Halloween season, many of us take the opportunity to watch our favourite scary movies.

But according to the charity, a host of villains that we love to hate reinforce negative stereotypes about visible differences.

It's chief executive Heather Blake penned a letter to streaming giants asking for them to sensitively warn viewers of this.

Changing Faces said that Halloween is often a 'anxious and stressful' time for some people with disfigurements.

"Villainous characters with scars, marks, burns or conditions are often recreated as costumes, as well as becoming terms of abuse in everyday life," the letter read.

A host of popular horror flicks feature characters with disfigurements; such as the Joker, Freddy Krueger and Michael Myers.

Warner Bros.

Blake continued: "The film industry plays a role in this by reinforcing old-fashioned and harmful stereotypes.

"These carry through to everyday life for those with visible differences in ways that can have a lasting impact.

"Harmful beliefs can be reinforced through instant access to decades of archived content without explanation of the impact."

Changing Faces shared a number of suggestions with streaming platforms including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, All4, Amazon Prime and HBO Max.

The letter advised film descriptions to be updated with warnings about 'the negative portrayal of those with visible differences'.

As well as this, they want films to be preceded by an 'on-screen caveat that highlights it contains harmful tropes'.

New Line Cinema

The charity also said support and advice sources should be signposted at the end of the film for viewers.

"Consider signposting to support for those affected or seeking more information about the experiences of those with visible differences at the end of the film."

Blake's message added: "Streaming platforms can help raise awareness and move the industry forward by acknowledging these film stereotypes."

Changing Faces launched it's I Am Not Your Villain campaign in 2018 with support from the British Film Institute (BFI).

The BFI announced it would no longer fund films in which villains appear with facial scarring.

Campaigners called for movie villains to stop being given disfigurements ahead of the release of the James Bond film No Time To Die.

Rami Malek starred as baddie Safin who had facial scarring in the 2021 spy film.

Topics: TV and Film, Netflix, Disney Plus, Halloween

Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

@livburke_