Embracing the Year 2023: The Rise of Raw and Authentic Fights

Article Summary

Naked fight scenes featuring men and women are becoming more common in film and television, challenging traditional notions of vulnerability and sexualization.

The fight scenes in Borat, The Righteous Gemstones, and No Hard Feelings exhibit nudity as a representation of freedom, liberation, and empowerment. These scenes illustrate a gradual change in the entertainment industry, embracing a more inclusive portrayal of diverse body types and genders, thus breaking down societal judgments associated with body image.

Emerging in the darkness, prepared for battle, and completely unclothed, she epitomizes the term "man-eater". Jennifer Lawrence stunned audiences this summer with her appearance in the hit comedy film, No Hard Feelings. Upon its release on Netflix, one particular scene captured everyone's attention. Lawrence fearlessly confronts a group of children on a beach, completely naked, and delivers a powerful punch. Similarly, another scene from Season 3 of the HBO Max comedy series, The Righteous Gemstones, caused quite a commotion amongst viewers. In this scene, two men engaged in a heated dispute over a woman, with one of them being completely nude. Struggling and grappling with each other, their bare buttocks on full display, it begs the question of how film and television escalated to this level of nudity becoming a form of liberation. In the past, undressing in movies conveyed a different meaning. It symbolized romance and declarations of love, often sexualizing female bodies. However, in the year 2023, nudity signifies a call to arms. Bodies are no longer objects of desire alone, but powerful tools employed in unexpected and comical situations. Piece by piece, the entertainment world aims to dismantle the societal stigma surrounding body image, one unhindered fight at a time, and the journey is an exhilarating one to behold.

Rewind to the year 2006, where a remarkable film was making waves - Borat. Sacha Baron Cohen portrayed the eponymous character, a Kazakhstani reporter exploring America, and one scene in particular remains indelibly etched in viewers' minds - a naked brawl between Borat and his producer, Azamat (Ken Davitian). The two engage in an audaciously explicit fight, unabashedly exhibiting their bare bodies. Regardless of whether the scene evoked vulgarity or humor, what stood out was the portrayal of two men, not conforming to the conventional standards of Hollywood's ideal male physique, embracing their nudity on screen.

No Hard Feelings

'Borat' Influenced a Generation of Naked Fight Scenes

'The Righteous Gemstones' Stares Toxic Masculinity Right in the Face

When Borat was first released, audiences had grown so accustomed to seeing and objectifying women's naked bodies on screen that the sight of two naked men was considered excessive. However, over the years, the iconic naked fight scene in Borat has had a far greater impact on cinema and television than anyone could have predicted. Just last year, Alexander Skarsgård captivated audiences in the highly praised film The Northman (2022), which concludes with a climactic battle atop an erupting volcano. In this scene, Skarsgård, naked, battered, and vulnerable, engages in combat with his equally sculpted adversary, finding liberation in shedding the garments that once confined him. Nudity has now acquired a sense of nobility, and whether it is employed for comedic effect or dramatic purposes, it has become a profound symbol of freedom and emancipation.

In 2023, television delivered a remarkable fight scene that can be considered the best of the year. In The Righteous Gemstones, the weak BJ (Tim Baltz) discovers that his wife, Judy Gemstone (Edi Paterson), is being unfaithful. Instead of avoiding the issue, BJ confronts it head-on. He breaks into the home of the other man involved, the vulgar Stephen (Stephen Schneider), only to find him unsuspecting and naked. BJ's masculinity is put to the test as he faces not only Stephen but also the male anatomy. Unfortunately, BJ ends up getting beaten badly by Stephen. This quarrel unfolds in Episode 6 of Season 3, titled "For Out of the Heart Comes Evil Thoughts," and serves as a reminder of the movie Borat, as the men duke it out over wounded egos. The fight over a woman exemplifies their toxic masculinity and pride, and Stephen's nudity vividly portrays the fragility of men's egos.

This fight scene is not only a perfect display of slapstick comedy but also a groundbreaking moment. Audiences have become accustomed to seeing the male body depicted in vulnerable positions on screen, which is a revolutionary development. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in male nudity, regardless of body shape and size, in television shows such as Gen V and Euphoria. This has helped to level the playing field between genders. Women are no longer the only ones being undressed on screen, and men can embrace vulnerability with their bodies without it being seen as a weakness. The fight scene in The Righteous Gemstones stands out in Season 3 and solidifies its place in the growing list of scenes where men fight in the nude, finding liberation through vulnerability. However, in 2023, it is also important to question why men should have all the fun. Women should also feel free to embrace nudity.

'No Hard Feelings' Lets Women Fight Dirty Too

Image via Sony Pictures

Jennifer Lawrence is fearless and empowered in No Hard Feelings, where she portrays a deceitful and troubled character. Taking on the role of Maddie, she answers a Craigslist ad to date a shy 19-year-old named Percy, as requested by his parents. In this unconventional arrangement, Maddie discovers her freedom in misbehaving. The most liberating moment occurs when she and Percy skinny-dip in the ocean, only to have a group of teenagers steal their clothes as a prank. Maddie emerges completely naked, unashamed, and ready to fight back. The camera doesn't focus on her nudity but instead captures the intensity of the brawl, marking a departure from the objectification of female bodies in films. No Hard Feelings challenges the traditional portrayal of naked women as vulnerable, instead using Maddie's body as a powerful weapon to assert herself. Gender and clothing become irrelevant as she fearlessly throws punches and emerges victorious. This raw and memorable fight sequence, featuring a naked 30-something-year-old woman taking on teenagers, showcases the film's exceptional comedic and gritty qualities.

Jennifer Lawrence Is the Naked Fighter We Deserve

Image via Sony/Columbia Pictures

Jennifer Lawrence has consistently spoken out about the unjust beauty standards imposed on women and has shared her personal struggles in the entertainment industry. Since her role in The Hunger Games series, she has exposed the attempts by studios to control her body and appearance. Additionally, media outlets have incessantly scrutinized and commented on her looks over the years. In the film No Hard Feelings, Lawrence empowers herself by taking charge of her body, and the comical, standout naked fight scene showcases her strength. It is a moment where she exudes power, prowling the beach at night as a predator rather than a prey. This scene defies the male gaze and emphasizes that women deserve opportunities to be equally fierce and violent as men. The fight scene revolves around her nude body, which transcends being an object to become a vibrant, living fighting machine that solely belongs to her.

Traditionally, nudity connotes vulnerability, weakness, and the need to conceal. But in 2023, it signifies throwing a punch. As No Hard Feelings gains popularity on Netflix, it serves as a reminder that women are just as capable as men in any aspect. Naked physical comedy should not exclusively be associated with men – let there be more scenes featuring enraged, formidable women. Both The Righteous Gemstones and No Hard Feelings establish that the naked body can fulfill its purpose on the big screen without sexualization. The bodies of both men and women are more than mere objects to be admired; they possess the potential to be powerful weapons, regardless of their appearance.

No Hard Feelings is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.