Curfew is a new series streamable through Paramount+ starring Alexandra Burke and Mandip Gill. The show's premise centres around a newly introduced law by the UK Government under "The Women's Safety Act", which enforces a curfew for men between the hours of 7 am and 7 pm for the protection of women.
All men are 'tagged' and tracked, to prevent them from breaking the Curfew, in what is a seemingly flawless scheme to prevent violence against women at night. That is until a female teacher is found brutally murdered during curfew hours, and suspicions fall on another woman, challenging the entire system...
The concept is both intriguing and timely, yet flawed and occasionally confusing. The series fails to recognise that male violence against women does not solely occur between the hours of 7 am- 7 pm; domestic abuse and daytime violence are also prevalent. It also contributes nothing towards the feminist discourses surrounding male violence.
The concept is both intriguing and timely, yet flawed and occasionally confusing.
The series frames all men as violent, manipulative and untrustworthy, with even the seemingly innocent male characters being viewed suspiciously. Though I appreciate the relevance of the show in light of the recent surge of male-on-female violence, notably with the murder of Sarah Everard, it doesn't sit right with me to portray all men as potential abusers or murderers.
Within the show, a male resistance group exists to rebel against the Curfew law. I couldn't help but feel like this aspect of the show trivalises real-world protests, making a mockery of Feminism and everything it stands for, instead of perpetuating patriarchal narratives like it intended to.
Curfew is thought-provoking, reflecting societal concerns such as male violence against women and the surge of toxic masculinity online through individuals such as Andrew Tate. However, it falls short compared to other gender-dystopian series like The Handmaid's Tale (available on Amazon Prime). Though it raises important questions, Curfew lacks the depth and nuance to fully consider all sides of its gendered debate.
