“Music,” the film directed by the critically acclaimed singer, Sia, has been receiving backlash even before the previews were released. “Music” follows the relationship of a previous drug addict Zu, played by Kate Hudson, who becomes the soul guardian of her autistic half-sister, played by Maddie Ziegler.  

The description alone encapsulates the main problem with this film. Music, an autistic character, is not played by an autistic actress. In recent months, there has been a call for representation of the disabled community in stories that center around the disabled experience. In that aspect, the film fell flat.  

The film opens with Ziegler dressed in elaborate yellow clothing making caricature like gestures and expressions. This paired with the loud music and bright colors is supposed to encapsulate the inner world of an autistic child. In reality, this opening scene is a nightmare for anybody with sensory issues. 

Although I don’t believe that it was Sia’s direct intention to mock the autistic community, Ziegler’s portrayal of Music is simply compiled of over-exaggerated actions that are often used to mock autistic kids. Not only this, but the movie’s depiction of Ziegler being held in a prone restraint while having a meltdown is dangerous for the autistic community. Those kinds of things kill autistic kids every year. 

Aside from the blatant ableism of the film, the writing is terrible. Zu’s storyline of her drug abuse being transformed by caring for Music isn’t moving, it’s unoriginal.  

 Every few minutes, there’s an elaborate, colorful dance sequence, accompanied by music written by Sia, that is supposed to show Music’s inner thoughts and how she’s responding to the outside world. These are unnecessary, and take away from Zu and Music’s already empty storyline.  

To me, this film just feels like one big marketing tactic to get people interested in Sia’s music again.