- "Peter Rabbit" features a scene in which a human character suffers an allergic reaction.
- It's brought on purposefully as a way to harm the character.
- The movie is facing backlash from parents angry with the scene.
- The film's producers have apologized in a statement.
Family movie "Peter Rabbit" has come under fire from parents upset with the film's portrayal of a food allergy. Sony Pictures has apologized for the scene.
"Food allergies are a serious issue. Our film should not have made light of Peter Rabbit's archnemesis, Mr. McGregor, being allergic to blackberries, even in a cartoonish, slapstick way," a statement from the company said, according to the New York Times. "We sincerely regret not being more aware and sensitive to this issue, and we truly apologize."
The film features Domhnall Gleeson as Thomas McGregor, a man who tries to rid Peter Rabbit and other creatures from his garden. Peter and his friends respond to his attempts with various hijinks. One of their attempts includes a scene where the animals throw various fruits and vegetables at him. McGregor is allergic to blackberries, and the animals use a slingshot to shoot one into his mouth.
McGregor collapses to the ground as he struggles to inject himself with an EpiPen.
Some people turned to social media to promote a boycott of the film.
#PeterRabbitMovie@SonyPictures
— ☘️ Jamie ☘️ (@jamiefid) February 10, 2018
Would you laugh at a person with diabetes force fed sugar? No. But that's exactly what you're doing in your movie: continuing to marginalize people with #foodallergies.
So throw an allergen at someone? I’m coming for you.#BoycottPeterRabbit
@SonyPictures What a disgrace - teaching children it's okay to bully and harass others with food allergies. You obviously have no staff with children who could DIE from food allergies. #attemptedmurder#foodallergies#boycottpeterrabbit
— Allison Wells (@OrangeAlli) February 10, 2018
As a mother of a toddler allergic to several foods, I am disgusted that Sony would make a joke out of flicking an allergen at a food allergic individual. Doing so is felony aggravated assault! What kind of message does that scene send to kids?! #boycottpeterrabbit
— hydrogirl71 (@hydrogirl71) February 10, 2018
There is a scene in the movie when someone who has food allergies is intentionally targeted. food allergies are real & my son could DIE if he ate something he’s allergic to -It’s not something he asked for it’s just something he lives with educate yourself #boycottpeterrabbit
— tired mom of 3 (@angelaaragon51) February 10, 2018
But others thought the reactions were overblown.
People boycotting Peter Rabbit over food allergy bullying...it's a cartoon. I watched a road runner blow up a coyote for years and never had the urge to play with dynamite. Teach your children responsibility and enjoy a funny movie. Honestly...
— Amy Bingham (@thisgirl140) February 12, 2018
@morningbreakclt Peter Rabbit is a "cartoon movie" for crying out loud. I'm so glad I grew up with the 60's cartoons & knew when Daffy Duck got his bill shot off it was not something we would go out and do, it was just a funny cartoon. But then my generation didn't eat detergent
— jackfesperman (@jackfesperman) February 12, 2018
Kenneth Mendez, the president and CEO of Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, wrote an open letter to the film's producers about the severity of food allergies and the dangers of making light of the serious issue.
"The very real fear and anxiety that people experience during an allergic reaction (often referred to as an impending sense of doom) is a serious matter," the letter read. "Making light of this condition hurts our members because it encourages the public not to take the risk of allergic reactions seriously, and this cavalier attitude may make them act in ways that could put an allergic person in danger."
The letter concluded: "We would like to work together to promote positive attitudes and safe environments for those with disabilities such as food allergies. We encourage you to examine your portrayal of bullying in your films geared toward a young audience. We strongly urge you to refrain from the type of programming that mocks food allergies in the future."
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