Netflix Rom-Com Sparks Outrage Over Romanticizing Student-Professor Dynamics
ROM-COM ROMP: 'My Oxford Year' Sparks Fury Over Troubling Teacher-Student Romance
The latest Netflix rom-com, "My Oxford Year," has set tongues wagging and sparks flying in the academic community over its portrayal of a problematic teacher-student romance. The film, which premiered on August 1, has received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, with some hailing it as a "love letter to love stories" while others are condemning it for promoting a disturbing power imbalance.
At the center of the controversy is the story's central plot point: Anna (played by Sofia Carson), an ambitious young American woman, meets her charming college lecturer, Jamie (Corey Mylchreest), and the two embark on a whirlwind romance. But what sets off alarm bells for many viewers is that their relationship is not only consensual but also seems to be condoned by the film's narrative.
Kaelyn Grace Apple, a PhD candidate currently studying at Oxford, has taken to social media to express her outrage over the film's handling of this sensitive topic. In a scathing video titled "Stop Romanticizing Student/Professor Relationships," she shared her own harrowing experience with a lecturer who subjected her to sexual harassment in 2019.
"I'm boycotting 'My Oxford Year' and I want everyone to know why," Apple declared. "As someone who has been affected by this issue firsthand, I can tell you that it's not just about consent – it's about power dynamics. When a student is involved with their lecturer, the stakes are much higher than just hurt feelings."
Apple explained that when Julia Whelan's novel of the same name was published in 2017, professors could still have romantic relationships with students – but her activism and that of others helped change this policy. However, she argues that the film's portrayal of this relationship is not only tone-deaf but also potentially damaging.
"The idea of consent is all well and good until you're in a position where the student can't say no without fear of repercussions," Apple pointed out. "The lecturer has control over their grades, their reputation, their very future – it's a toxic dynamic that perpetuates itself."
Apple shared her own experience filing a sexual harassment claim against her professor, which was upheld with support from three other professors and two students. She warns that romanticizing these relationships can lead to the exploitation of students.
"I'm not just talking about the film – I'm talking about our entire culture," Apple said firmly. "When we see books, movies, or TV shows that glamorize these kinds of relationships, it sends a message that this is okay. And it's not."
In response to the backlash, Sofia Carson, who both stars in and executive produces the film, has defended her involvement, citing classic love stories like "The Way We Were" and "Love Story" as inspirations.
"I've always been drawn to timeless classics," Carson explained on CBS Mornings. "And I think this generation deserves a love story that feels authentic and true to life."
But critics argue that the film's portrayal of a consensual teacher-student romance is not only unrealistic but also problematic. Several other women have shared their own experiences on Apple's Instagram page, echoing her concerns.
"I'm a fellow PhD student who recently had to report an abuse of power," one woman wrote. "It totally turned my stomach against this film."
As the controversy continues to simmer, it remains to be seen whether "My Oxford Year" will reignite the conversation about teacher-student relationships or simply perpetuate a damaging narrative.
One thing is certain, however: this love story has sparked a fiery debate that refuses to die down.
