Let’s grant that Cuties is a genuine attempt to grapple with the no-win clash between patriarchal traditionalism and a modern sexualization of girls that is itself a result of patriarchy. This is not—should not be—a forbidden topic. In fact it’s a fascinating basis for drama.

The problem is that the medium of film isn’t neutral: You can’t portray what the film portrays, in any context (the actresses are real girls!), w/o doing precisely what the film claims to be critiquing. It would be more possible to execute in a non-visual medium, like a novel.

Add to this the scurrilous actions of Netflix in marketing the film and the incurious, borderline prurient rallying of reviewers to defend the film at all costs, and you have a clear vehicle for normalization of deviancy.