In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. SaDohl and Claire (CJ) come together for a deeply personal and unflinchingly honest conversation about the film Promising Young Woman. Released in 2020, the movie struck a cultural nerve with its raw depiction of trauma, gender-based violence, gaslighting, and institutional complicity—and the co-hosts are revisiting it now because its themes remain heartbreakingly relevant.
Before diving in, Dr. SaDohl and Claire invite listeners to take a grounding moment together, recognizing the emotional weight of the topics ahead. This is not just a movie review—it's a reflection on how films like this can evoke personal experiences, reveal societal patterns, and become mirrors for our collective healing.
They share their initial reactions to the film, including Claire’s emotional in-flight viewing and Dr. SaDohl’s need to watch it in parts due to its intensity. They unpack how Promising Young Woman challenges viewers by blurring the lines between justice and revenge, and by confronting the uncomfortable truth that some of the most damaging acts are committed by people within our circles—friends, peers, colleagues.
Together, they explore the importance of understanding your own healing journey before engaging with media like this, and they introduce the idea of a “freakout-free” approach: preparing emotionally and mentally before diving into heavy content. Dr. SaDohl and Claire walk through key trigger warnings—including sexual assault (SA), suicide, PTSD, secondary trauma, and systemic injustice—and explain why these elements are essential to address before watching or discussing the film.
The episode also delves into the significance of the film’s title, referencing the societal tendency to center male potential over female harm—the "promising young man" defense—and how this mindset reinforces cycles of harm and silence. Through it all, they provide space for both outrage and hope, discussing the complex emotional landscape the film presents and why its ending, while difficult, can also offer a sense of closure or redemption for some.
Whether you've already seen the film or are deciding whether it's right for you, this episode provides a thoughtful, compassionate lens for engaging with Promising Young Woman—and the real-life conversations it sparks about justice, healing, and the stories we still need to tell.
Promising Young Woman
sexual assault awareness
trauma and healing
restorative justice
gaslighting and secondary trauma
feminist film analysis
movie-trigger warnings
justice vs. revenge
survivor stories
emotional safety in media
Gen X film reflection
college sexual assault
mental health and media
SA survivor conversation
freakout-free discussion
grief and guilt
women-led storytelling