Matt Smith Calls Out Trigger Warnings
If Jaws had a brief note before the start of the movie, warning viewers about the impending oceanic carnage that was about to take place, would the film still have the same emotional impact that turned it into a pop culture icon and spawned a newfound water-based fear in millions of people? According to actor Matt Smith, trigger warnings have become too prevalent in mainstream media today, stripping TV shows, films, and theater productions of the shock value that they once had.
The House of the Dragon star recently spoke out on the inclusion of trigger warnings and let his feelings be known that he yearns for the chance to return to the way things used to be… when audiences could truly be afraid of what lies ahead.
Policing Of Stories
In an interview with The Times of London, Matt Smith didn’t mince his words about his disdain for the rise of trigger warnings, criticizing the anesthetization of emotional and shocking content. “Too much policing of stories and being afraid to bring them out because a climate is a certain way is a shame,” Smith said. “I’m not sure I’m on board with trigger warnings.”
Smith Wants It Left For The Individual
Smith admitted that while being apprehensive about certain subject matter is perfectly reasonable, he feels that it should be up to the individual viewer to determine what is and what isn’t triggering. Ultimately, he believes that we have watered down our content to the point of removing the element of surprise and eliminating the possibility of creating media that has something truly important to say.
“It’s okay to feel uncomfortable or provoked while looking at a painting or watching a play, but I worry everything’s being dialed and dumbed down,” says Smith. “We’re telling audiences they’re going to be scared before they’ve watched something.”
Old Doctor Who Hit With Warnings
This isn’t the first time that the Emmy-nominated actor has had an issue with trigger warnings. Matt Smith didn’t approve of the addition of trigger warnings in episodes of Doctor Who, a series that saw him take on the titular role for four seasons. In 2020, streaming services such as BritBox added trigger warnings to older episodes of Doctor Who, such as the six-part ‘The Talons of Weng-Chiang’ storyline, in which a white actor plays a Chinese character and multiple times, uses anti-Asian racial slurs.
Frightening Scenes Are Important
In February 2024, Smith told the BBC that including frightening scenes in Doctor Who was a key aspect in the storytelling process. “I always thought that was one of the great things of doing Doctor Who,” he said. “That you scared children, in a controlled way, but you did scare them. Imagine you go to kids watching Doctor Who, ‘By the way, this might scare you.’ No, I’m not into it.”
Other Stars Agree With Smith
Although Matt Smith’s criticism of trigger warnings may come as a shock to some, the British actor is not alone in sharing his disdain for them. In May 2024, Dame Judi Dench admitted that she was taken aback when she learned about trigger warnings being added to modern media. She suggested that if viewers were too sensitive to view a show without being warned ahead of time, “then don’t go to the theater.”
Hollywood Royalty Speaks Out Against Trigger Warnings
Not to be outdone, Sir Ian McKellen also shared Matt Smith’s sentiments on the inclusion of trigger warnings. Ahead of the launch of a production of Frank and Percy at London’s The Other Palace, McKellen chastised the decision to include trigger warnings in theaters. “I think it’s ludicrous,” he said. “I quite like to be surprised by loud noises and outrageous behavior on stage.”
Source: The Times of London
