Fifty Shades of Grey is a book series turned movie that has taken the romantic drama genre with force. In fact, everything about Fifty Shades seemed a little too forceful: the cheesy lines, the Bella-Edward love story, and most of all, the overtly abusive relationship between the two main characters, Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey.

     This movie does deserve credit for being unapologetically sex positive. It has offered a platform for people to talk about sex and sexuality in a whole new realm. However, these conversations could have, and should have, been urged on by something that doesn’t glorify violence, abuse, and subordination.

      Anastasia’s role is outlined as being a “submissive,” or “sub.” Worse than this blatant subordination is the emotional and sexual abuse demonstrated in both the book and movie: “’No,” I protest, trying to kick him off. He stops. ‘If you struggle, I’ll tie your feet too.’”

    The popularization, and even promotion, of rape culture by this movie is ample reason not to support the 50 Shades trilogy. The violent messages are so powerful that they have made an unfortunate transition off the screen and have been seen in a recent sexual assault case at the University of Illinois-Chicago. A student sexually assaulted a classmate, but claimed that he was reenacting a scene from the movie.

   By not demonstrating clear-headed consent from both parties and glorifying sexual violence, the movie plows past being a romantic drama and right into being a facilitator of rape culture.

      If you see this movie, think about the messages that it is—whether consciously or subconsciously—sending to its audience. Nothing that promotes non consensual activity or assault will ever make my list of recommendations.