‘The Little Mermaid’ Is Not “Kinky” Enough, According to This Critic

The new Little Mermaid live-action movie has been receiving rave reviews when it comes to the performance of lead actress Halle Bailey in the role of Ariel, and mixed reviews when it comes to almost everything else — but one prestigious newspaper’s review of the movie has sparked some serious backlash!

What’s That Word Again? “Kink”!

New York Times writer Wesley Morris recently shared a review of the film that accused the new Little Mermaid of lacking plenty of qualities, including “kink” — and since kink is a term mainly used when discussing sexual activity, Disney fans are outraged to hear someone suggesting that it be a priority in what is, at its heart, meant to be a children’s movie.

The Little Mermaid is, like the 1989 animated movie that preceded it, meant to be a family-friendly film for everyone to enjoy. But according to Morris and the New York Times, the new live-action movie needs more “joy, fun, mystery, risk, flavor,” and “kink.”

According to the movie review that has gone viral, the new live-action film “reeks of obligation and noble intentions.”

Confusion Spreads

Disney fans have vehemently disagreed with Morris online after reading the live-action Little Mermaid review! “Ummm…kink? Why does that belong in a children’s movie exactly?” one Twitter user asked.

Another Twitter user asked if “kink” has “another meaning.”

“I’m not willing to accept this as reality yet,” the same Disney fan wrote, presumably feigning confusion to emphasize the ludicrousness of the word choice. “Can someone please explain a secondary meaning for this word?”

Disney's live-action remake of "The Little Mermaid," with Halle Bailey starring as Ariel and a diverse cast, "reeks of obligation and noble intentions," Wesley Morris writes.

"Joy, fun, mystery, risk, flavor, kink — they’re missing." https://t.co/GRE3yyIIfz

— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 27, 2023

 

Is “Kink” a Synonym for “Fun”?

“Missing kink in a children’s movie… they are not even hiding it anymore,” another disillusioned Twitter user chimed in.

Judging by the rest of the New York Times movie review, which accuses the film of containing very “little fun,” “kink” is being thought of as something “fun” and enjoyable.

Have you ever heard the word “kink” being used to describe anything other than sexual activity or sexual preferences?

Disney might be pulling back from its “woke” status after seeing so many deliberately-progressive movies fail at the box office, but if this New York Times critic is to be believed, then the Walt Disney Company has supposedly pulled too far back!

If you have seen the new Little Mermaid already, do you think that the movie is too restrained and that it could use some more kinky attributes — or were you too distracted by a fight between audience members during your movie viewing?