‘Westworld’ Star Evan Rachel Wood Defends Show’s Violence Towards Women, Promises ‘Revolutionary’ Revelations
HBO’s brand new series “Westworld” — based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 sci-fi Western thriller of the same name — is just one episode in, and it’s already drawn some sharp criticisms for its depictions of violence towards women (even if most of those women are actually well-trained and meticulously-made robots).
READ MORE: ‘Westworld’ Review: Season Premiere Offers Violent Delights and Asks Many Questions
But there’s at least one woman who is secure in the necessity of said violence: Star Evan Rachel Wood, who recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about some of the worst bits on display in the show’s early episodes.
“It’s absolutely very rough,” Wood told the outlet. Yet Wood promises that there will be a reason for all of the toughest parts, and that she believes the show will prove it out soon enough.
“I don’t like gratuitous violence against women at all, but I would wait for the context in which it’s being used,” she said. “As the show progresses, the way it’s being used is very much a commentary and a look at our humanity and why we find these things entertaining and why this is an epidemic, and flipping it on its head.”
Moreover, Wood is excited about the possibilities offered to the series’ female stars, and promises that they are nothing less than “revolutionary.” She told THR, “The roles for the women on this show are going to be very revolutionary. It’s very gender-neutral. I would ask, as somebody who is an advocate against any kind of abuse or violence and is outspoken about it, to give it a chance and wait to see where it’s going. I think it will surprise people.”
Check out The Hollywood Reporter’s full chat with Wood right here.
“Westworld” airs on HBO on Sunday nights at 9PM.
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