This Hackathon Wants to Close Wikipedia’s Gender Gap

Emily (Phoebe Dynevor) is seen getting busy with her fiancé Luke (Alden Ehrenreich) at a wedding. While that's not necessarily gag-worthy, there's one determining factor that could be — she's on her period. Not only that, but there's oral sex involved that Luke happily engages in. It's a highly erotic and graphic scene that has the potential to leave viewers reeling, but Emily and Luke aren't grossed out by what they're doing. They're too caught up in bliss to think there's something wrong about being pleasured during one's period.

I'll be honest — younger me would have immediately ran for the heels at this description because...ew. I'm not personally comfortable with the oral aspect of the scene, but I'm familiar with putting down a towel during period sex. It's all about preference, and no matter where you stand on the period sex issue, it's nice to have a partner that doesn't treat you like a walking science experiment during your period.

What did Phoebe Dynevor say about filming the sex scene in "Fair Play"?

She's actually happy the scene was filmed, and thinks director Chloe Domont did an excellent job showing that sex doesn't have to be skipped the week of someone's period. She told Ellethat male directors would've questioned the necessity of it. "We as women know these things happen all the time, but why are we not seeing it on our screens," she asked.

When does the period sex scene appear in "Fair Play"?

Trigger warning — this sex scene appears at the very beginning of Fair Play. Talk about starting off with a bang!

What is the plot of "Fair Play?"

Fair Play centers around the work culture of a hedge fund company that begins to take a toll on a couple. In a deeper plot analysis, Ellereports that Dynevor's character Emily has a secret engagement to her coworker, but "she gets a surprise promotion, which causes issues in their relationship outside of work." It takes a deep dive into the gender norms that can begin to stifle a relationship if both people have different views of how things are supposed to fall in place in and outside of the home.

What else has Dynevor said about "Fair Play"?

She pointed out that it's an excellent marker for how far society has to go in terms of respecting women. She also told Elle, "We have this idea that world is so progressive...but there's still so much progress to be made and so many things that haven't been done or still taboo." To drive this point further home, Dynevor said, "The thing that was really interesting to me is how modern feminism is clashing with traditional masculinity...Emily is really trying to make herself small to make him [Luke] feel masculine."

This is true because we're seeing the effects of attacks on reproductive and maternal health. Not only that, but there's still an expectation for how women are supposed to carry themselves whether they're mothers or not. As far as we've come, the work to fully recognize that women aren't monolithic and deserve to have our voices, time, and efforts respected is ongoing. That we shouldn't have to shrink so that men don't feel threatened or emasculated. That us asking to be appreciated and respected has nothing to do with attacking men's self esteem.

Until we get to that point, films like Fair Play will continue to exist to push the conversation forward.

When can you watch "Fair Play"?

Fair Play will premiere in theaters September 29, 2023 and will be available to stream on Netflix beginning October 13, 2023.

Watch The Trailer For "Fair Play"

“I love The Golden Girls and I love hanging out with you,” Lara Jean tells 11-year-old Kitty, who canceled her own plans so her sister wouldn’t be alone. But boyfriend or not, these sisters put themselves and each other first. They are more content with loving each other and themselves than finding love — or at least needing it for validation.

Before oldest sister Margot leaves for college in Scotland, she [SPOILER ALERT!] breaks up with her longtime boyfriend Josh. She doesn't want to be tied down to a relationship and she's unwavering in her decision. This decision goes some way in dismantling the pattern that we’ve seen so many times in pop culture where the girl often gets left in the dust for greener pastures. Don’t get me wrong: Every time I watch To All The Boys I've Loved Before, my heart still hurts for Josh and I want the boy next door to have his own happy ending. But Margot’s decision to be selfish about her college experience is not cold or harsh; it’s a power move, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

And while Margot jets off for a new adventure, Kitty deliberately sends out the love letters Lara Jean wrote to all her former crushes, including Josh. She gives Lara Jean the push she needs to get out of her shell and act on her feelings, thereby jumpstarting the premise of the movie. Not only does Lara Jean start a fake relationship with Peter to throw off Josh so Margot doesn’t get upset, but she unequivocally shuts down all conversations with him. She refuses to give even the tiniest thought to any lingering feelings she may have. It’s less of an adherence to an arbitrary girl code and more of a natural decision that her love for Margot trumps any adolescent feelings she’s had for Josh.

What the movie so powerfully captures here is Covey girls’ sense of camaraderie — the proverbial “sisters before misters”— that invites viewers to understand that this story, at its core, is a celebration of sisterhood. It’s a rom-com of sisterly love (and the extents the Coveys will go for one another) more than it is of romantic love with cute teen boys.

To All The Boys I've Loved Before doesn’t use gimmicky storylines of sibling rivalry or slut-shaming (Peter is quick to shut that down) to turn this into a caricature version of high school, nor does it perpetuate Lara Jean’s seemingly invisible persona to maintain the shy vs. popular girl dichotomy. In fact, she’s stronger and bolder than Genevieve and Peter — two of the most popular people in school — combined. Lara Jean might not be very experienced, but from the beginning, she’s sure of herself, comfortable in her own skin, and does not ever feel the need to conform to a high school status quo to make a place for herself. When Genevieve makes a snarky remark about her platform boots, Lara Jean is quick to remind her they're vintage. As Peter says, she doesn’t let Gen steamroll over her.

Lara Jean is scared of getting hurt, but she makes Peter work for her trust because she knows her worth. She’s insecure about his feelings for her, but not about whether or not she’s good enough for him. As far as she’s concerned, they’re on equal footing; she makes that quite clear when she suggests that if he’s only dated one girl, he’s not quite the expert he thinks he is. Though the fake romance is his idea, the ball has been in her court since the beginning. She’s delineated her boundaries and decided when to give him a chance and express her true feelings to him. Both scenes of her strutting through the lacrosse field to talk to Peter — when she’s good and ready, mind you, with her back ramrod straight and her head held high — are proof of how self-assured and in control she chooses to be; her popularity or lack thereof has no bearing on that.

Lara Jean’s character may have moments of peak embarrassment in this movie, but she carries herself with confidence and owns her actions, unapologetic about who she is. Much to our chagrin, this movie is fictional, but Lara Jean’s confidence is contagious and all-too-real. While there aren’t enough Peter Kavinskys in the world for all of us, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before sets a wonderful standard of self-love and confidence that are not bound by social hierarchy. As much as we love falling in love, our love stories start with ourselves.

Comfort Shows We Can't Stop Watching

Emily in Paris

Emily is over the moon when she lands her dream job in Paris, but with her kitschy fashion and sunny disposition, she finds that life in Paris isn't exactly what she envisioned. Not to mention the fact that her personal and professional lives get very messy very quickly. Catch up on the first four seasons on Netflix now!

Sweet Magnolias

Dana Sue, Maddie, and Helen are lifelong friends who have been through decades of ups and downs, but their lives get even more complicated when they decide to open a spa together. Full of romance and Southern charm, this is the perfect show to warm you right down to your toes.

The Great British Baking Show

While we're in the middle of baking season and pulling out all our favorite apple recipes, watch your fill of this fan-favorite show. Amateur bakers compete against one another for 10 weeks filled with signature and technical challenges as they hope to become the U.K.'s best baker.

Jane The Virgin

Jane has vowed to save herself for marriage but finds herself pregnant anyway when she's accidentally artificially inseminated, and her life — as well as the lives of the people around her — turns completely upside down. With storylines worthy of the most iconic telenovelas, Jane and her friends and family deal with everything from love and loss to drug lord masterminds.

Younger

After a guy at a bar mistakes her for a 20-something, 40-year-old Liza passes herself off as 26 to land a job in the publishing industry. But it turns out that the only thing harder than pretending you're in your 20s is making sure no one finds out your secret.

The Mindy Project

Inspired by the life of Mindy Kaling's mother, Mindy navigates both her personal life and her career as an OB/GYN. She strives to become the perfect woman with the perfect rom-com ending, but things never quite go according to plan, do they?

Sister, Sister

We're always down to watch a sitcom from our childhood, and this one is too good to miss. Fourteen-year-old twin sisters Tia and Tamera reunite after being separated at birth. When they decide to move in together, blending their families, life experiences, and personalities, hilarity ensues.

Friends

Doing their best to survive in New York City, six 20-somethings become best friends after life brings them together. Dealing with everything from career ups and downs to infertility to love and loss, they realize that they can get through anything if they stick together.

Schitt’s Creek

After their business manager embezzles all the money from their family business, the Rose family finds themselves completely broke. They have to rebuild their lives by moving to the only asset they were allowed to keep: a small town called Schitt's Creek. Perfect for anyone with a crazy family, this comedy will make you laugh and cry.

Queer Eye

This is a great watch for any rainy day or when you just need something relaxing and fun for your lunch break. Filled with all kinds of food, fashion, culture, design, and grooming tips, the new Fab Five give emotional makeovers that change lives.

New Girl

After she discovers her boyfriend cheating on her, kind and awkward Jess finds herself living with three bachelors in L.A. Along with Jess's best friend CeCe, Jess and her roommates tackle complicated situations like loss, marriage, and breakups with a sense of humor that will make you laugh out loud.

Gilmore Girls

Navigating life in the intensely personal and interconnected town of Stars Hollow, Lorelai is an independent and feisty single mom who lives with her bookish, Ivy League-bound daughter Rory. Full of coffee, small-town traditions, and witty conversation, this is the perfect show to turn on when you want to get in the spirit for fall.

Insecure

This comfort show created by (and starring) Issa Rae focuses on the lives of two best friends. From issues in their romantic lives to awkward experiences at work, this series showcases the experience of Black women today with heart and humor that we can't get enough of.

Selling Sunset

Agents at The Oppenheim Group in L.A. cater to luxurious and wealthy clients, all while proving just how seriously they take their jobs. Relationships are one of the most important things in the brokerage business, which means you're in store for some major drama.

Dash & Lily

Dash can't stand Christmas; Lily can't get enough of it. When Dash finds Lily's hidden notebook full of riddles and questions, they begin to pass the messages back and forth across Manhattan and might just start to fall for each other in the process. This is the perfect watch for anyone who likes to get into the holiday spirit early — besides, what's more magical than Christmas in New York?

More Comfort Shows We Love

White Lotus

We're still not over that season 2 finale, but if you haven't caught up yet, no worries. Here's the rundown for this season: the new group of vacationers — from an English expat and Hollywood producer to lawyer and investments manager — come together for a beautiful, complex, and shocking week in Sicily.

Andor

Taking place before Rogue One and A New Hope, Andor follows Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) and his friends and family during a time when a Rebel Alliance is beginning to form against the Galactic Empire. We love how complicated and complex the storylines are within this series, as well as the worldbuilding.

Harry & Meghan

This docu-series follows Prince Harry and Meghan Markle throughout their romance and after their decision to leave the English Royal Family in January of 2020.

Wednesday

Jenna Ortega stars in this record-breaking Netflix series about the iconic Addams Family character who has to investigate a string of murders at her new boarding school. Aside from how amazing the series itself is, we're totally going for Wednesday Addams-chic with our winter style.

Firefly Lane

Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke star in this series that follows two 40-somethings who have had an inseparable bond since their teens as they navigate life and love.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

This series serves as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings series, and takes place thousands of years before the adventures that we know so well. It showcases how the different kingdoms in Middle Earth were formed, following different groups of characters as they embark on different adventures around the fictional world.