Irma Vep Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Hypnotic Eyes
On Irma Vep Season 1 Episode 5, “Hypnotic Eyes,” the topic of perceived sexual assault on film is front and center. And it is up to us to determine where the line should be drawn.
A surprising turn this series has taken is the way it tackles some of the most important controversial issues in entertainment today. Previous to “Hypnotic Eyes,” Irma Vep has also discussed whitewashing, drug use, and inappropriate work relationships.
The discussion in this context involves a scene that had been shown in the 1915 film upon which the remake is based. In that scene, back in 1915, Irma was drugged, and it was implied that while she was under the control of the man who drugged her, something sexual occurred between the characters.
In the modern-day retelling, Rene directs the actors to recreate the scene almost frame by frame. Only this time, he instructs them to take it even one step further. Not only is Irma unconscious, but the scene also continues where the old version had faded to black.
In the wake of the filming, dailies of the scene are passed around among the crew. Some of the cast and crew complain to Rene about the nature of the scene. It is almost explicitly a sexual assault scene, but Rene argues that it is more sexy than it is wrong.
This is where we come in. In the real world, this world in which we live, we hear stories of sexual assault and harassment in entertainment every day, it seems. And with those stories come the excuses: the actors didn’t mind it, the audience found it sexy, people are too sensitive these days, etc.
Irma Vep poses all those same excuses to us. Mira doesn’t mind the scene, just as Musidora had excused it in 1915. The series is a remake, so the director can say it was only another scene from the film which he was recreating.
Even when he agrees that the scene borders on sexual assault, Rene further excuses it by saying that since Irma was, herself, a villain, the sexual assault should not be seen as wrong. She is a murderer, so why should we be upset that she was raped?
And now we have to think about that for ourselves. Is it alright that we can watch scenes of women being abused and still enjoy it? The answer seems to be an obvious “no,” but what do we say to those excuses that are made?
Sure, the plot of the series itself is not really moving much. They’re still stuck in production limbo, still negotiating with financiers and insurance companies, and they’re still dealing with the cast being difficult. And yet, the content we’re seeing with each episode is still getting better.
It’s important that we, the consumers of media, ask these questions. We should ask ourselves when something goes from entertainment to propaganda, and we should ask ourselves if it’s alright to recast actors of color with white actors.
My concern going forward is whether this series will actually take a position on these topics. I still have not watched the original film because I like to watch these series without context. So I really don’t know how they’ll discuss these topics or whether anything will be resolved.
If Irma Vep continues to discuss controversial topics from the film industry, we might have ourselves a series worth watching here. It would be nice if the plot picked up, too, though.
We’ve seen quite a few Chekhov’s guns throughout this series. I would love it if someone would go ahead and shoot already.
What did you think of this episode of Irma Vep? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Critic Rating:
User Rating:
Irma Vep airs Mondays at 9/8c on HBO and is streaming on HBO Max.
Follow us on Twitter and on 
Instagram!
Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!
