Unlocking the Real-World Impact: How ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Delivered an Unforgettable Ending | CNN Business

Hollywood isn’t exactly eager for politically charged shows these days. Producers are hesitant about liberal themes, and platforms are scaling back on diversity initiatives. One recent example is "The Apprentice," a film about Donald Trump that struggled to find an audience in the U.S.

Amid this landscape, the finale of “The Handmaid’s Tale” stands out. This acclaimed Hulu series, which just wrapped up, is unapologetically political. Based on Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel, it shows a dystopian America known as Gilead, where women are treated as property. The main character, June Osborne, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, navigates this harsh new reality.

The show’s creators set out to make it in 2016, believing Hillary Clinton would become the first female president. When Trump won, the direction shifted. Producers and cast expressed their disbelief, yet the election fueled the show’s themes and critiques about misogyny and authoritarianism.

When it premiered in 2017, it resonated strongly with viewers. Many took to the streets as anti-Trump protesters, adopting the show’s iconic red robes and white bonnets. The producers leaned into the show’s relevance, making direct connections to current events.

Warren Littlefield, an executive producer, noted in 2019 that the U.S. was on a "slippery slope toward Gilead." Reflecting on the series’ end now, he suggests that recognizing this slope is more challenging than ever. He stated, “Our America is getting harder to recognize each and every day,” emphasizing how Atwood’s fiction seems to be becoming reality.

Moss, in a recent interview, mentioned the heightened sense of urgency on set, especially after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. She explained, “The only way we’ve ever made this show was to have this sense of immediacy and relevancy.”

Surprisingly, the political content didn’t seem to sour viewership. Instead, it elevated the show, tapping into deep emotions tied to current events. Littlefield pointed out how early seasons depicted a world too engrossed in their devices to notice Gilead’s rise. Many critics have noted how “The Handmaid’s Tale” illustrates how the unthinkable can become the norm, a lesson that holds significance today.

Interestingly, as the final season aired, Kamala Harris’s loss to Trump loomed large. Critics noted how the show has had "perfect timing," with poignant moments that hit too close to home for many audiences. Yahlin Chang, a showrunner, expressed concern that they might not have cautioned viewers effectively about the dangers depicted in the series.

Chang highlighted the irony in how, during her time on the show, women’s rights have regressed. Yet she noted the show’s ability to tell stories about oppression and survival, paralleling real-life global struggles.

Despite its heavy themes, the finale aims to be uplifting. Littlefield encourages viewers not to give up hope, echoing the resilience of the character June. Looking ahead, many producers are working on a sequel titled “The Testaments,” set about 15 years in the future. It will challenge audiences to consider: “Could it happen here?”

As discussions around women’s rights, political landscapes, and societal norms continue to evolve, “The Handmaid’s Tale” remains a relevant touchstone, prompting conversations about the direction of our own reality.

For more insights on the cultural impact of shows like “The Handmaid’s Tale,” check out this article from CNN.

Source link