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Triggering scene in HBO's 'I May Destroy You' is 'so hard to watch but it's so important'

Kylie Mar
Host & Producer, Yahoo Entertainment
·3 min read

Since premiering on June 7, HBO's new series I May Destroy You, written by and starring Michaela Coel, has been praised for its realistic portrayal of sexual assault and the aftermath, and Monday night's episode was no exception.

The fourth episode, titled "That Was Fun," had many viewers taking to social media following the final moments of the show as Arabella's friend Kwame became the next character to fall victim to rape. A plot point that many saw as both unexpected and triggering.

Kwame, portrayed by actor Paapa Essiedu, goes to the apartment of a stranger named Malik for a random hookup but Kwame ends their encounter because he refuses to have unprotected sex. However, as Kwame is getting dressed to leave, Malik pushes Kwame back down and forces himself on Kwame, holding down Kwame’s hands and raping him.

The traumatic scene devastated viewers, as many shared on Twitter how "hard to watch" the show is, yet "how important it is" to watch as well.

The episode ended with Kwame in tears calling Arabella to say goodnight, but holding back from sharing anything that had transpired. A feeling that was, sadly, triggering for some viewers.

However, despite how tough the show is to take in, the reality of its portrayal is exactly why the show is pushing boundaries and continues to be one of the most talked about new shows on HBO.

I May Destroy You airs Mondays at 9 p.m. on HBO.

Watch ‘I May Destroy You’ being praised for its ‘realistic’ portrayal of Arabella’s sexual assault and the aftermath:

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