The Powerful Story Behind the Upcoming Drama “Bombshell”

Trigger warning: This article discusses sexual harassment.

Last month, we witnessed the incredibly tense teaser for Bombshell, directed by Jay Roach and starring Nicole Kidman, Charlize Theron and Margot Robbie. Now, the full-length trailer has provided us with a more in-depth look at the highly anticipated drama that’s stirring up significant Oscar buzz.

Considering how dramatic the star-studded trailer is, it’s easy to forget that the film is actually based on true events. Both Nicole Kidman and Charlize Theron are portraying real news anchors, with Margot Robbie playing a fictitious producer. You might be wondering: Why does Donald Trump's name keep getting thrown around? Or, why is everyone looking so uncomfortable the whole time?

So, let's explore what Bombshell is actually all about. 

Fox News CEO resigns.

In July 2016, the CEO of Fox News, Roger Ailes (who will be portrayed by John Lithgow), stepped down from his position following a number of sexual harassment allegations from some of the network's former and current stars. One of these stars was Gretchen Carlson (Nicole Kidman) who filed suit against the executive, claiming he sexually harassed her and fired her after she rejected his advances. 

Following Carlson’s claims, six more women came forward and accused Ailes of sexual harassment. However, Ailes denied the allegations and held that Carlson was fired for poor ratings.

But then another Fox News anchor, Megyn Kelly (Charlize Theron), revealed she had also been sexually harassed by Ailes in 2006. In Kelly’s memoir Settle for More, she revealed that she came forward once she’d heard Carlson’s allegations. As reported by Radar, the news anchor was worried that the CEO was still doing it to somebody else.

Ailes continued to deny all claims but resigned from his position as CEO.

What has Trump got to do with it?

From the trailer, it looks like Bombshell will also touch on Megyn Kelly’s feud with Donald Trump, which began back in 2015 at the Republican presidential debate.

After Kelly called Trump out for referring to some women as "fat pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animals," Trump fired back by telling CNN, "There was blood coming out of her eyes, blood coming out of her wherever."

He took to Twitter to clarify he was referring to Kelly’s nose, but in the trailer, we hear the character say, "Did he just accuse me of anger menstruating?"

It was important to the #MeToo campaign.

While the accusations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein prompted the #MeToo hashtag, the events that will be brought to life in Bombshell are still incredibly important. It was a groundbreaking example of women coming forward against powerful men and being heard.

Last year, Carlson highlighted the two year anniversary of filing her harassment lawsuit against Ailes with an empowering tweet. 

Bombshell is set to be released in Australian cinemas on 16 January 2020. 

Header Image: YouTube (Lionsgate Movies)