When you think about figures of cinematic controversy, one of the names that might first come to mind is Zack Snyder. Digging a little deeper, you'll discover a big portion of the controversy surrounding him is brought about by his 2011 film, Sucker Punch - you thought it would be Justice League, right?
Sucker Punch is a movie that, despite its mixed reception and performance at the box office, has managed to carve out a cult following over the years. Snyder's work often blurs the lines between fantasy and reality, and Sucker Punch serves as a prime example of his showy style of storytelling.
Sucker Punch dances on the edge of fantasy and reality, following the story of Babydoll (played by Emily Browning), who is confined to an asylum by her abusive stepfather. To cope, she retreats into a vivid alternate reality, where she and her fellow captives wear elaborate costumes and engage in epic battles that symbolize their fight for freedom.
The film, which also stars talents like Carla Gugino and Jena Malone, has been a topic of debate, with some critics accusing it of objectifying its female protagonists. However, Snyder suggests that the film's true intent might have flown over the heads of many (like many of his other films - remember the Martha scene in BVS?).
In a recent interview with Total Film, Snyder expressed his belief that the film's satirical elements were perhaps too subtle, leading to misinterpretation. Sucker Punch, he says, should be seen as a deconstruction of the very tropes it appears to embrace, much like his earlier work, Watchmen, dissected the superhero genre.