Part 4/10:
The root of much of the backlash lies in the director’s own statements and body of work. She describes herself as an "accidental filmmaker" whose projects largely incorporate activism. In an interview just months after her casting was announced, she openly proclaimed that activism is embedded in her storytelling, whether overtly or covertly.
This revelation added fuel to existing fears among fans: would this film prioritize social messaging over storytelling? Critics point out that her background, including her comments on making men uncomfortable and her focus on issues related to gender and Muslim identity, signals a potential shift towards message-driven filmmaking rather than narrative-driven storytelling.