Actress Amandla Stenberg accused a New York Times film critic of objectifying her in a film review of her new slasher film Bodies Bodies Bodies.
The New York Times’ Lena Wilson shared a screenshot of the message on Twitter on Thursday, showing a message she received from the actress, who seemed unhappy with the review.
“Your review was great, maybe you could have seen the movie if you took your eyes off my tits!” reads Stenberg’s message.
The actress later posted on Instagram that since she is gay and Wilson is gay, she thought they would both find her DM funny.
But Wilson, who posted on social media that she’s a fan of Stenburg’s, didn’t find it funny and said she was devastated by the news.
In Wilson’s review, published Aug. 4, Wilson wrote, “The only thing that really sets Bodies Bodies Bodies apart is its place in the A24 hype machine, where it doubles as a 95-minute advertisement for cleavage and the latest single from Charli XCX acts. ‘
The film, which follows a group of rich 20-year-olds at a party that goes awry at a remote family mansion, is described by Wilson as “puffed up with pompous irony” and said it was “perfectly tailored for one of A24’s key demographics: Bougie 25-year-olds who value branding over substance.”
The New York Times’ Lena Wilson shared a screenshot of the message on Twitter on Thursday, which allegedly shows a message she received from the actress
Wilson posted another tweet in the thread, which read, “always weird when the homophobia comes out of the house but this is something.”
Amandla Stenberg, who can be seen at the August 2 New York screening of A24’s “Bodies Bodies Bodies” in NYC, is said to have messaged NYT film critic Lena Wilson about the review
Sharing a screenshot of the message, Wilson tweeted, “Do you think she Instagram DMed Alison Willmore, Justin Chang and Anthony Lane like that or…”
The names mentioned in their tweet are other film critics.
In Wilson’s response to the actress, she writes, “Hey, Amandla! generally a big fan of your work, but that’s something for sure. I really wish you all the best in your career and life. Good night.’
Wilson posted another tweet in the thread, which read, “It’s always weird when the homophobia comes out of the house, but this is something.”
This is believed to be related to Stenberg’s sexuality as she confirmed in 2018 that she is a lesbian.
The critic followed up with another tweet, pointing out that one line of her 500-word review jokingly comments on the objectification of young women into selling content — yet random men on Twitter and now, Stenberg, are accusing her of being a lesbian, not being able to ‘stop talking about dolts’.
The tweet reads: ‘me: (spends a line of a 500-word review jokingly commenting on how A24 objectifies young women to sell content)
random men on twitter dot com and apparently also Amandla Stenberg: Local Dyke Cannot Stop Talking About Boobies
In a video posted to her TikTok account, Wilson explained the situation.
“Ironically praised the acting though,” she said of the review, adding that she doesn’t want it to become anything else.
“I am devastated to have even received this news. I was a real, big fan of hers. But I’m posting it because I don’t want this person – who has more social power than me – to think that it’s f—— ok to do something like that.
reached out to Wilson, who declined to comment.
Stenburg replied hours later in response to Wilson sharing her DM.
“I get a lot of comments on the internet for being a very naughty girl and I sent a DM which I thought was hilarious,” the actress said.
“There’s this film critic, her name is Lena Wilson, and she writes for the New York Times. she described [the movie] as a “95 minute commercial for cleavage,” which I found hilarious. I am proud that a work I was involved in has been described as such in such a prestigious publication.”
She also spoke about a more serious side of the message, saying that throughout her career she’s faced a lot of comments on her chest.
“I wore this tank top in this film because I and the costumed designer felt it suited the character well. I’m sick of people talking about my chest. There seems to be a lot of unwarranted talk about my chest,” Stenberg said.
The actress ended her video with, “Lena, I found your review hilarious. I found my DM funny. I dont want to bother you. I wish you no harm. You may express your criticism of my work and I may express my criticism of your work. I wish you the best.’ A ‘bless your heart’ to end all ‘bless your heart’s.
The film, which follows a group of rich 20-year-olds at a hurricane party that goes awry, is described by Wilson as “bloated with pompous irony.” Pictured from left: Amandla Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Chase Sui Wonders and Rachel Sennott
In the review, Wilson tells readers that as fans of slashers, they’ll recognize the plot: “Young, hot guys are caught in a secluded place and picked up one by one.”
However, he points out that the film is “visually appealing and well acted.”
“But this film is nothing special, and like its superficial characters, it’s unaware of its own stupidity,” she wrote.
“Armed with fresh talent – Maria Bakalova (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”), Rachel Sennott (Shiva Baby) and Chase Sui Wonders (Generation) are among the dazzling cast – this could be a scathing satire. Instead, “Bodies Bodies Bodies” is so intent on exuding the apathy of a cool kid that it serves up a whole lot of nothing.”
has reached out to Stenberg’s rep for comment.
Seen on August 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California, Amandla Stenberg was recognized for her outspoken views, particularly her activism for LGBT youth
Wilson, pictured with one of her reviews in 2021, says she’s always been a big fan of the actress. She replied to Stenberg, “Hey, Amandla! generally a big fan of your work, but that’s something for sure. I really wish you all the best in your career and life. Good night’
Stenberg was recognized for her outspoken views, particularly her activism for LGBT youth.
In 2015 she made her musical debut as part of the folk-rock duo Honeywater. Her single “Let My Baby Stay” was featured in the film Everything, Everything (2018).
Stenberg made her acting debut in the film Colombiana (2011) and had her breakthrough role as Rue in the film The Hunger Games (2012).
She had the recurring role of Macey Irving on the series Sleepy Hollow (2013–2014), voiced Bia on Rio 2 (2014), and starred as Halle Foster on the sitcom Mr. Robinson (2015). She received recognition for her portrayals of Maddy Whittier in Everything, Everything (2017) and Starr Carter in the film The Hate U Give (2018).
Stenberg also starred as Ruby in The Darkest Minds (2018), Leyna in Where Hands Touch (2018), Julie in the Netflix miniseries The Eddy (2020), and Alana Beck in Dear Evan Hansen (2021).