Watch Asking for It

Asking for It is a powerful drama film released in 2021, directed by Amanda Kramer and featuring a star-studded cast that includes Kiersey Clemons, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, and more. The movie is set in modern-day Los Angeles and focuses on themes of sexual assault, consent, and privilege, and explores how these issues are intertwined in our society.

The movie follows the story of a beautiful and privileged young woman named Nell (played by Clemons), who lives a seemingly perfect life surrounded by friends and wealth. But her seemingly perfect life is shattered when she is sexually assaulted at a party. Her trauma is compounded when she discovers that photo and video evidence of the assault has been leaked online, leading her to endure public humiliation and shame.

The narrative of the story is told through the lens of several different characters, each with their own perspectives and motives. Her close friend and fashion designer, Steph (played by Hudgens), initially tries to support Nell but quickly becomes complicit in the perpetuation of her trauma. Meanwhile, Nell's roommates, Mouse (played by Shipp) and Emmy (played by Casey Camp-Horinek), struggle to understand how to support their friend while dealing with their own complex emotions.

As the story progresses, we see the ways in which Nell's assault and the subsequent online harassment affect her mental health and relationships with those around her. She becomes increasingly isolated and withdrawn, struggling to put the pieces of her former life back together. The film also explores broader issues of consent, toxic masculinity, and the ways in which power dynamics play out in sexual interactions.

What makes Asking for It particularly impactful is its unflinching portrayal of sexual assault and its aftereffects. The film doesn't shy away from showing the graphic nature of the assault, but it also doesn't exploit it or use it as a plot device. Instead, the film focuses on the emotional fallout and the long-lasting psychological effects of such traumas. It's a raw and honest portrayal that doesn't sugarcoat the reality of these issues, but it also offers hope and potential for healing.

The performances in Asking for It are phenomenal, with Clemons delivering a standout performance as Nell. Her portrayal of the character's pain and trauma is heart-wrenching and emotionally nuanced. Hudgens is also excellent as her conflicted and ultimately misguided friend Steph. Shipp, Camp-Horinek, and the rest of the supporting cast are all equally impressive, lending depth and complexity to their roles.

In addition to its strong performances, Asking for It is also visually stunning. The film's aesthetic is sleek and stylish, reflecting the glamour and gloss of the Los Angeles setting. But this stylization never feels superficial or distracting – instead, it serves to underline the contrast between the characters' outward appearances and their inner turmoil.

Asking for It is an important and timely film that tackles some difficult and challenging subject matter with grace and sensitivity. It's a story that demands to be seen and heard, especially in a culture that too often downplays or dismisses the experiences of survivors of sexual assault. This film serves as a powerful reminder that consent is paramount, and that we all have a responsibility to create a more just and equitable society.

Asking for It is a 2022 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.7 and a MetaScore of 20.