The Don't Worry Darling controversies explained

gamesradar.com:

Don't Worry Darling has been making headlines – and not for the reasons you might think. The dystopian housewife drama stars Florence Pugh and Harry Styles as Alice and Jack Chambers, a young happy couple living in what appears to be a 1950s paradise – until strange occurrences lead Alice to doubt the utopian nature of their life. Ahead of the film's release, Don't Worry Darling has been the subject of several controversies – with the majority taking place at the 79th Venice Film Festival, where the movie had its world premiere.

If you're confused about what's going on – or just want to why everyone's now talking about saliva – we've rounded up all the major talking points in one place

A far cry from heartthrob Harry Styles, former Disney Channel star Shia LaBeouf was initially cast as the male lead opposite Florence Pugh. LeBeouf swiftly exited the film back in 2020, with the studio explaining it away as a conflict in schedules, though it appeared connected to allegations of abuse made by former partner FKA Twigs (opens in new tab). In a recent interview with Variety (opens in new tab), however, Olivia Wilde shared her own reason for the actor's recasting.

"I say this as someone who is such an admirer of his work," she said of LeBeouf. "His process was not conducive to the ethos that I demand in my productions. He has a process that, in some ways, seems to require a combative energy, and I don’t personally believe that is conducive to the best performances."

Wilde went on to suggest that she wanted to create "a safe, trusting environment" on set to allow people to do their "best work." She added: "Ultimately, my responsibility is to the production and to the cast to protect them. That was my job."

LaBeouf responded with