Netflix indicted by Texas grand jury over ‘lewd’ depiction of children in ‘Cuties’

Netflix is facing criminal charges for its film “Cuties” in an East Texas county. 

A Texas grand jury indicted Netflix for the “lewd” representation of children in the controversial French film, according to the Tyler County District Attorney. 

Netflix, Inc. indicted by grand jury in Tyler Co., Tx for promoting material in Cuties film which depicts lewd exhibition of pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child who was younger than 18 yrs of age which appeals to the prurient interest in sex #Cuties #txlege pic.twitter.com/UJ1hY8XJ2l

— Matt Schaefer (@RepMattSchaefer) October 6, 2020

The Sept. 23 indictment shows the Tyler County Grand Jury charged the popular streaming site for “promotion of lewd visual material depicting child” for its drama about a young girl who is torn between her conservative Muslim family’s values and her desire to join a dance troupe.

Among the charges in question is Netflix’s alleged promotion of material that portrays the “exhibition of the genitals or pubic area of a clothed or partially clothed child, which appeals to the prurient interest in sex and has no serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value” — a violation of the Texas penal code, according to the press release from Tyler County District Attorney Lucas Babin.

Netflix denied any wrongdoing after a summons was served on Oct. 1 by the Texas State Rangers.

“‘Cuties’ is a social commentary against the sexualization of young children. This charge is without merit and we stand by the film,” the company said in a statement to The Hill.

After its Sept. 9 release, various GOP lawmakers including Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) condemned “Cuties” for its alleged sexualization of minors. In a letter to U.S. Attorney General William Barr dated Sept. 11, Cruz called on the Department of Justice to investigate possible child abuse in relation to “Cuties.”

Updated at 6:29 p.m.