Netflix Series Research Articles

POLITENESS STRATEGIES IN WEDNESDAY ADDAMS’ UTTERANCES: MAINTAINING SELF-IMAGE AND OTHERS’ AMIDST REJECTION

Communication is a form of bridge to convey thoughts between one individual and another. Every person must have their measure of being polite and harmonious according to who they are dealing with, including Wednesday Addams. This pragmatic research scrutinizes the politeness strategies employed by Wednesday Addams, the lead female protagonist in the Netflix series Wednesday. The character Wednesday Addams utilizes politeness strategies to maintain public and self-image during interactions while solving a murder case. Using descriptive qualitative methods, the researchers found that Wednesday frequently used bald on-record strategies with straightforward speech without being threatening. In contrast, off-record strategies were used less frequently. The researchers also observed that Wednesday used all the politeness strategies outlined by Brown and Levinson (1987). This study highlights the significance of politeness, not only for interpersonal relationships but also for achieving long-term goals, as demonstrated in the “Wednesday” series. However, further studies could provide additional perspectives and challenge the findings presented in this study.

How Do Trauma and Identity Unfold Through Dialogue? A Psychoanalytic and Linguistic Analysis of Netflix's Slasher Solstice

This study aims to explore the relationship between trauma, desire, and identity through language patterns in the Netflix series Slasher: Solstice. Using a psychoanalytic and linguistic analysis approach, the research delves into how characters' dialogues and speech styles reflect their psychological states, particularly in confronting past traumas. The study employs a qualitative method with observational analysis of the interactions and dialogues of the main characters within the series. The results reveal that speech patterns, word choice, and intonation provide deep insights into the characters' psychological conditions. For instance, the character Connor displays aggressive and fragmented speech patterns as a defense mechanism against trauma, while the character Sadia exhibits emotional control through structured and formal language. This research offers a new perspective by combining psychoanalytic and linguistic approaches to understand character development within the horror genre. The analysis reveals that shifts in language style, as the narrative unfolds, indicate a transformation in the characters' identities, increasingly shaped by trauma and internal conflict.

Analyses of Physical and Psychological Characteristics of "Squid Game" Characters Using East Asian Biopsychosocial Personality Theories and Body Mass Index.

Media characters' physical and psychological traits are crucial for character development and audience engagement. This study examines East Asian perspectives on the audience's perceptions of the physical appearance and personality, using Eum-Yang biopsychological Sasang theory, of five characters from the Netflix series "Squid Game". A total of 221 university students assessed the traits of five "Squid Game" characters using the Sasang Personality Questionnaire (SPQ) and a visual Body Mass Index (BMI). ANOVA and Profile Analysis revealed significant and comprehensive differences in the SPQ and its subscales (behavior, SPQ-B; cognition, SPQ-C; and emotion, SPQ-E) as well as BMI among the five drama characters. More specifically, Seong Gi-hun (SGH) and Han Mi-nyeo (HMN) were So-Yang types (high SPQ, moderate BMI), Cho Sang-woo (CSW) and Kang Sae-byeok (KSB) were So-Eum types (low SPQ, low BMI), and Jang Deok-su (JDS) was Tae-Eum type (moderate SPQ, high BMI). Psychological profiling showed two patterns: V-shaped (high SPQ-B, low SPQ-C, high SPQ-E) for SGH, HMN, and JDS, and A-shaped (low SPQ-B, high SPQ-C, low SPQ-E) for CSW and KSB. These results contribute to media psychology by highlighting the relevance of Eum-Yang and Sasang typology for creating and analyzing complex characters, thereby enhancing global understanding for East Asian biopsychosocial theories.

Veiled Exploitation: The Maintenance of Power through False Consciousness in The Netflix Series Arcane

The focus of this research is to identify and reveal how false consciousness is created and utilized to retain the authority of the industrialist Silco in the Netflix series Arcane. This research aims to show how false consciousness is through the creation of class consciousness, and how it is spread and maintained through state apparatuses and commodity fetishism as a method of exploitation to maintain his authority and status as a leader in Zaun. In this research, the Marxist theory of ideology and state apparatuses by Louis Althusser and commodity fetishism by Karl Marx were employed to answer the research questions. The research used a qualitative method of content analysis. The data is collected and identified by watching the series, where the relevant data is collected from visuals, activities, and dialogues within the series so that it can be analyzed further. Based on the data analysis, the series Arcane depicts false consciousness as a method to exploit the people from the proletariat and bourgeois classes to benefit certain people or groups. Silco creates and maintains false consciousness by utilizing state apparatuses such as ideological state apparatus and repressive state apparatus through ideology. Silco also utilizes commodity fetishism from Shimmer as a way to control the people through false consciousness. As a result, Silco managed to maintain his power as a leader in Zaun, which reveals how false consciousness can be utilized to benefit a certain people, group, or classes to maintain their power within society.

Revisiting dark pasts: the portrayal of Jewish minority and audience responses to the Netflix series The Club

ABSTRACT The Club, a Turkish series exclusively produced for Netflix, challenges the official historical narrative of modern Turkey by depicting the experiences of minorities on the brink of the country’s political upheaval. It highlights the state’s complex relations with its minorities and historical events that are often silenced in the official historical narrative. This study looks at how Turkey’s dark pasts pertaining to its religious minorities are portrayed in The Club and the ways in which its audience respond to these dark pasts. It argues that the audience of The Club recreates the silences about the past, resulting in the denial or rationalization of state violence, while emphasizing a nostalgic multi-cultural past.

What Would Manu Say? Mothering, Midlife, and Mayhem in Netflix's <em>Mai</em>

This video essay examines how Netflix's series MAI interrogates traditional roles for married, middle-aged women in India. Focusing on the protagonist's specific life challenges, we witness how her departures from her duties as a mother, wife, and nurse coupled with her propensity for violence offer her greater agency.

A Digital Health Humanities Approach to the Three-Body Problem in Healthcare Education: Balancing the Science, Art and Tech with M.A.G.I.C.

In the provision of patient-centered care, healthcare professionals face a challenging triad that is analogous to the classical "Three-Body Problem" in physics, whereby any shifts in the dynamics of medical knowledge, narrative competence and digital technologies can tip the balance of healthcare education and practice. Drugs/Medications are often caught in the dichotomy of being both "heroes" and "villains", which underscores the necessity of a balanced, informed, and empathetic approach to patient care. Drawing inspiration from the popular novel and Netflix series, the dynamic interplay between the science of medical knowledge, the art of empathy and narrative competence, and the advancement of healthcare technologies to harmonise the diverse, yet interconnected domains, of medication management, medical humanities and digital health is demonstrated - in the emerging field of Digital Health Humanities. The novel project called M.A.G.I.C. is revealed, that blends the rigour of medical science with the nuanced understanding of patient narratives, and the cutting-edge potential of digital innovations like Generative Artificial Intelligence and the Metaverse, to create a holistic, learner-centered approach for the education of the healthcare professions.

Popular media’s role in fostering sex education in middle schools: A comparative analysis of Netflix series Sex Education and Bollywood film Oh My God 2

India as a country has always been seen as a repository of culture and heritage. The historical ruins, temples, scriptures of this ancient land foster liberty regarding sexuality and its significance in the advancement of civilization. However, sex education is still a taboo and an alien topic in the Indian education system. On the other hand, in the USA, one of the most advanced countries, sex education is a mandate, but sadly, there are middle schools in many states in the USA, which do not ponder over the subject at all.The reason behind this is the fact that there is no unified National Policy regarding Sex-Education in the USA, it is vested with the states individually. The USA government had been promoting ‘Abstinence-only-until-marriage’ (AOUM) education till Obama came. Even after implementing an evidence-based sex education system, the overall status of comprehensive sex education is unsatisfactory in the USA. This research aims at dealing with the issues associated with implementing and practising sex-education in the middle school and how the popular media deals with it and influences it. The paper takes into account the famous Netflix series Sex Education which is hugely applauded for its candid and inclusive approach towards sex and sexuality of teenagers and the recent bollywood film OMG2 which serves as a critique of the Indian education system which fails to provide proper knowledge on the subject and jeopardises the adolescent life.

Women’s Sexual Agency, Pleasure, and Orgasm in Popular Netflix Series: A Quantitative Content Analysis of Mixed-Gender Scenes

Media representations of sexuality can play a relevant role in the development of gender stereotypes and sexual learning processes. In the current pre-registered study, we examined the representation of sexuality in content on Netflix, a dominant force in global mass media consumption. We coded 271 mixed-gender sexual scenes across seven highly popular Netflix series for orgasm portrayal, depiction of sexual behaviors, including clitoral stimulation, and gendered sexual scripts (i.e., initiation, control, and expression of desires). Our results revealed a nuanced picture of women’s sexual pleasure representation. Women’s orgasms were depicted less frequently than men’s, although orgasm portrayal was generally rare. Sexual behaviors were mostly limited to penile-vaginal intercourse, though cunnilingus was depicted more frequently than fellatio. Regarding gendered sexual scripts, women were portrayed as equally sexually agentic as men, initiating sexual encounters, taking control, and expressing their needs and desires. Our findings indicate that this content simultaneously reinforces and challenges gender stereotypes related to sexual experiences, highlighting the need for sexual educators to critically address the realism of mainstream media portrayals to foster a nuanced understanding of sexuality and pleasure.

Bones cracking]: Reading and listening to Foley and captions

Closed captions are a vital tool of sonic access for D/deaf and hard of hearing audio-viewers, detailing dialogue alongside notable sound effects and music. As evidenced by the recent virality of the captions in the Netflix series Stranger Things, captions are increasingly playing a key role in the sonic experience for many audio-viewers. From captions such as [tentacles undulating moistly] to [wet footsteps squelch], captions shape and articulate sounds, working both alone and alongside other sonic elements. Yet, while captions crucially anchor sonic meaning for a growing audience, captions are still a critically understudied dimension of film and media sound. Drawing upon the visceral captions and squelching sound effects of the fourth season of Stranger Things, this article details the parallels between closed captions and the custom synchronized sound effects of Foley. Captions crucially emphasize the narrative and characterizing effects of Foley sounds, from an oozing moist [squelch] that turns the stomach to the vivid snap of [bones cracking]. In turn, Foley sound offers a vital new framework from which to understand the sonicity of captions. As an artistic practice of reconfiguration and substitutions, Michel Chion’s seminal distinction between real and rendered sounds underpins theorizations of Foley, where a broken celery vividly renders the emotive impact of bones breaking. This article contends that captions can similarly be understood as rendering sound, a move that ultimately folds captions such as [wet writhing], [creatures chittering] and [flesh tearing] into larger sound theories, highlighting the sonic significance and generative possibilities of access tools.

A MAN IN ROMANCE: THE PORTRAYAL OF THE MALE PROTAGONIST IN NETFLIX’S SERIES “BRIDGERTON” SEASON 1 (2020)

Gender research in the media focuses more on the representation of women and neglects that of men (Brooks & Hébert, 2006; Kimmel et al., 2004). Little research has been conducted to examine the representation of men’s psychological aspects, such as feelings, affection and personality. This paper analyzes Netflix's series Bridgerton Season 1 using a critical discourse analysis approach, to explore how the male protagonist is portrayed visually and linguistically in romance. The findings reveal that while the male protagonist is portrayed as having vulnerabilities and insecurities in love and marriage, he is ultimately depicted with stereotypical masculine traits associated with patriarchal power. Although this depiction of the male protagonist may encourage the audience to embrace the multiplicity of masculinity, it could reinforce male gender norms and raise harmful social expectations on men.

Quasi‐color consciousness: Casting, race, and sexual violence in Netflix's Bridgerton

AbstractThe hit Netflix series Bridgerton (2020–) updates the period drama for the twenty‐first century with its racially diverse cast. Despite the series' potential for subverting racial hierarchies, this article argues that Bridgerton does not fully account for racist social structures, replicates racial stereotypes, and, most crucially, delegitimizes Black men as victims of sexual violence. These representational quandaries stem from Bridgerton's use of the casting and narrative practice “quasi‐color consciousness.” Quasi‐color consciousness provides more nuanced language beyond colorblind casting to account for television producers' efforts (and shortcomings) to create racially diverse contemporary television programming.

The Violation of Maxim by the Characters in the Netflix Series Inventing Anna

This study aims to identify the types of conversational maxims violated by the characters in the Inventing Anna series and to find out the motives behind the violation of maxims. This research used a qualitative approach because it involves descriptive and non-numerical analysis. Documentation method, note-taking technique, and content analysis are applied to collect and analyze the data. The documentation method was applied to find information from a video (Inventing Anna series) and its transcription. Meanwhile, the note-taking technique was to note down the conversations or utterances of the characters in the series that contain maxim violation. The main theory used in this research is Maxim Violation by Paul Grice (1975). The study analyzed four characters from the series and found 14 maxim violations in the characters’ utterances from Inventing Anna series. There are 5 violating maxim of quality, 2 violating maxim of quantity, 2 violating maxim of manner, 3 violating maxim of relation, and 2 violating several maxims in one conversation. There is a high possibility of violating more than one maxim in one conversation. The motives for violating a maxim based on the analysis are to escape bad situations, avoid getting involved in any trouble or scandal, face-saving act (maintain a good image), convince someone, get recognition, gain sympathy, and distract or manipulate the interlocutor. Keywords: Maxim Violation, Motives, Series, Characters

Looking into the black mirror of the overdose crisis: Assessing the harms of collaborative surveillance technologies in the United States response.

Drug overdose is a leading cause of death among adults in the United States, prompting calls for more surveillance data and data sharing across public health and law enforcement to address the crisis. This paper integrates Black feminist science and technology studies (STS) into an anthropological analysis of the collision of public health, policing, and technology as embedded in the US National Overdose Response Strategy and its technological innovation, the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program (ODMAP). The dystopian Netflix series "Black Mirror," which explores the seemingly useful but quietly destructive potential of technology, offers a lens through which to speculate upon and anticipate the harms of collaborative surveillance projects. Ultimately, I ask: are such technological interventions a benevolent approach to a public health crisis or are we looking into a black mirror of racialized surveillance and criminalization of overdose in the United States?

Breaking the borders: Gender dynamics in STEM portrayals in Turkish Netflix series

This study discusses the intricate relationship between science, technology, engineering and mathematics field representation by the media and the science, technology, engineering and mathematics field in reality, centring on two pivotal inquiries: (i) How is gender within science, technology, engineering and mathematics portrayed in visual culture? (ii) How do gendered representations in visual culture impact science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals? By scrutinizing two Turkish TV series featuring science, technology, engineering and mathematics characters, namely, Sıcak Kafa ( Hot Skull, 2022, by Mert Baykal) and Yakamoz S-245 ( Into the Deep, 2022, by Tolga Karaçelik and Umut Aral), we assert that recent Netflix productions in Turkey showcase science, technology, engineering and mathematics characters in a less marginalized manner compared to mainstream series content. The study explores the intersection of science, technology, engineering and mathematics portrayals with actual gender experiences in the Turkish context. Findings show science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals, particularly women, to be rendered invisible in being confined to gender-based definitions. Despite portraying male and female science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals as equal and non-marginalized, male characters predominate in decision-making and implementation processes within many series. Furthermore, science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals do not identify with their own character representations in media content, as they express through interviews. The study underscores there is room to challenge patriarchal norms, fostering more equitable depictions of science, technology, engineering and mathematics professionals, including women, to dismantle gender biases and foster inclusivity within science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

Tradisi VS Modernitas: Konflik Generasi dan Komunikasi Gender dalam Crashing Eid

This study investigates the intricate dynamics of tradition versus modernity through the lens of generational conflict and gender communication in the Netflix series "Crashing Eid." Utilizing a systematic content analysis, the research aims to identify and categorize representations of these themes within the series. The analysis focuses on key aspects such as traditional versus modern values, generational perspectives, and gender roles as depicted in the interactions and dialogues of the characters. The findings reveal that "Crashing Eid" effectively portrays the tension between traditional and modern values, particularly in the context of family expectations and personal aspirations. The series highlights the challenges faced by younger generations in balancing respect for cultural heritage with the desire for individual autonomy. Gender communication is intricately woven into these narratives, showcasing the evolving roles of women and men within the Saudi Arabian cultural setting. The study underscores the importance of media representation in reflecting and shaping societal norms and values. "Crashing Eid" serves as a poignant example of how contemporary media can address and bring to light the complexities of generational and gender-related conflicts. The research contributes to the broader discourse on cultural change and continuity, emphasizing the role of media in facilitating dialogue and understanding across different societal segments.

Patterns of Heterosexual Sex in Popular Netflix Series: A Content Analysis of Age, Race, Face Attractiveness, and Body Type

AbstractThe portrayal of diverse ages, races, face attractiveness, and body types in sexual media content might impact societal perceptions of sexuality, delineating which individuals are deemed sexually appealing and whose sexuality is normalized. Despite extensive research on demographics within pornography, the representation within mainstream media, particularly on streaming platforms like Netflix, remains underexplored. The current study addresses this gap by employing quantitative content analysis to examine the diversity of characters in sexual contexts within seven highly popular Netflix series. We coded the age, race, face attractiveness, and body type of 91 characters (45 female characters) that appeared in mixed-gender sexual encounters (i.e., sexual encounters between a woman and a man). The study reveals a predominant adherence to stereotypical demographics and conventional beauty standards. The sexual scenes presented mostly younger individuals and revealed a notable underrepresentation of individuals aged 40 +. Racial diversity among characters was more evident. Female characters were predominantly depicted as conventionally attractive and were almost exclusively portrayed with skinny body types, while male characters exhibited a wider range of physical appearances. This study highlights a gap in the media’s inclusivity efforts and suggests a need for more comprehensive representation to reflect a broader spectrum of age and beauty ideals in the portrayals of human sexuality. While our study is limited to analyzing media representations, future research should include longitudinal experimental studies to evaluate their impact on people’s sexualities.

The quantification of diversity: Netflix, visibility politics and the grammar of transnationalism

This article argues for Netflix’ efforts to create a transnational middlebrow, highlighting especially the strategy of visibility politics as a measure to create a metrics for ‘diversity and inclusion’ in a process I call the quantification of diversity. Hence, the article seeks to draw together themes of Netflix’ efforts in transnationalism, the platform’s efforts in diversity and inclusion and the strategy of visibility politics, common to middlebrow television as visual signifier of marginalisation, rather than narrativisation. This process becomes part of a larger grammar of transnationalism to formulate a kind of transnational text specific to Netflix. Visibility politics seeks to quantify visibly marginalised bodies on screen as a measure of ‘progress’ and is, thus, particularly relevant for a Silicon Valley company that seeks remedy social problems via mathematical solutions. This leads to a politics that produces highly visual measures of social progress, but does not offer narratives to communicate barriers to full participation. The metrics for ‘otherness’ are hardly universal, though and Netflix cannot provide such a metrics for its transnational productions. Instead, it seeks to combat ‘universal’ issues of discrimination by means of visibility politics. The platforms’ earlier American texts tried to remedy issues of marginalisation via the narrativisation of barriers. To document this change, the article analyses the Netflix series One Day At A Time with the popular 2023 series Wednesday.

Circles of Sorrow: Discussion of David Eng’s and Shinhee Han’s “Racial Rage, Racial Guilt: The Uses of Anger in Asian America”

ABSTRACT Using David Eng’s and Shinhee Han’s article in this issue as a point of departure, I respond to their discussion of Asian American subjectivity as it is represented in the Netflix series Beef. Focusing on the challenges faced by “hybrid” groups and individuals who find themselves blocked from both the expression of rage and the experience of self-representation, I reflect on the emotional and ontological vicissitudes of a range of “in-betweeners” within violently hierarchical systems, from those of mixed ethnic heritage to the invisibilized children of narcissistically abusive families.

Swipe Right for Tradition: Decoding Gender Constructs in Modern Indian Matrimony through Media Representations

This paper examines the portrayal of arranged marriages in India as depicted in mainstream media with a special focus on Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking. It utilises an intersectional feminism framework to explore themes of colourism, casteism, and gender discrimination within the context of Indian matrimony. Methodologically, the study employs a qualitative content analysis of specific episodes and character interactions within the documentary-style format of Indian Matchmaking. By analysing these depictions, the paper aims to uncover how mainstream media reflects and perpetuates societal norms and discriminatory practices inherent in the Indian matrimonial tradition. Through detailed examination, the findings highlight the ways in which the Netflix series perpetuates entrenched patriarchal structures and regressive value systems, illustrating the complexities of identity negotiation within the marriage market. The analysis demonstrates that while the series provides a platform for cross-cultural exploration, it simultaneously reinforces harmful ideologies and existing power dynamics. The paper concludes by discussing the broader implications of media representation for social discourses on gender equality and social justice, emphasising the dual potential of popular culture to both perpetuate and subvert dominant narratives.