There’s no denying that Baby Reindeer is masterful, but is it anti-feminist at the same time?
Darrien takes advantage of Donnys vulnerability as a failing comedian and takes him under his wing.
And yet, many viewers have fixated on Martha instead.
Baby Reindeer / Netflix
If Baby Reindeer followed a female victim, the world may have had a different reaction.
The world andBaby Reindeers creators are seemingly just as obsessed with Marthas story as she was with Donny.
Perhaps thats due to the quality ofBaby Reindeer, as well as Donnys perspective.
He thinks his empathy allows him to let Martha into his life.
On the other hand, how often have stories been told from this perspective about women being stalked?
1 in 5 women will be stalked in their lifetime, while 1 in 10 men will be stalked.
Netflix
In all honesty, I dont think Netflix would have told his story if he were a woman.
The main draw of Baby Reindeer is the monstrous woman.
Add to that the fact that the central draw ofBaby Reindeeris the crazy woman.
Netflix
How many times have you heard a man call his ex crazy?
Its also perhaps dispiriting that we accommodate male offending into our expectations of masculinity, they share.
In doing so we perceive male offenders to be independent, rational, autonomous and responsible.
In fact, Richard and Netflixs approach toBaby Reindeers popularity did actual damage to the real-life Martha.
Does the combination of perpetuating stereotypes, focusing on a male victim, and hurting a woman makeBaby Reindeeranti-feminist?
Baby Reindeer is more feminist than it seems to be.
Some might argue that based on everything Ive said,Baby Reindeeris anti-feminist.
But I need to argue against myself here becauseBaby Reindeerisnt about women.
In a way,Baby Reindeerdigs deeper into these issues than the surface level of saying women are crazy.
That idea in itself is innately feminist.
Feminism is about equality of the genders and supporting those who are disenfranchised because of their gender.
