A disturbing lawsuit filed against Kevin Costner and the producers of Horizon: An American Saga Chapter 2. The lawsuit has ignited a debate over consent and communication in Hollywood. According to The Hollywood Reporter, stunt performer Devyn LaBella claims she was “subjected to perform an impromptu scene of sexual violence without an intimacy coordinator,” violating union guidelines and catching her completely off guard.
Podcast host Dana Bowling summed it up bluntly:
“The lead actress who was supposed to shoot it said, ‘No, I’m not doing it.’ Then they put in this stunt woman. She had no idea that this was going to happen… That doesn’t sound right; sorry if this is true.”
LaBella, who was hired as a stand-in for Ella Hunt, says she was asked to perform a drastic, unscripted rape scene without the required 48-hour notification and a closed set; strict guidelines and protections designed to prevent actors from being exploited.
The case is more than troubling for people working in the film industry; it evokes the shock reaction that viewers experience when a televised performance suddenly shifts into graphic and explicit mode. The fact that it happened on a movie set serves as a poignant reminder about the importance of consent and effective communication in filmmaking.
As viewers, we’re rarely given clear warnings about what’s coming. One minute it’s a lighthearted scene, while the next is blindsidingly explicit.
Some might argue, “If you don’t like it, just don’t watch it.” It’s not that simple. These scenes aren’t tucked away in obscure films. They’re showing up in the most popular, award-winning shows and teen-marketed blockbusters.
It’s not about being fragile. It’s about having a choice.
Just like actors shouldn’t be blindsided on set, audiences shouldn’t have to flinch their way through the stories they do want to watch.
That’s why tools like VidAngel exist. Not to censor the world, but to give people the power to watch on their own terms.
While you can’t control what happens in Hollywood, you can control what is allowed within the four walls of your own home. But how?
We created VidAngel for situations exactly like this. Not to erase stories but to allow people to experience them. To say, “Hey, I want to engage with this story, but not at the expense of my comfort or my family’s values.” With VidAngel, viewers can filter their experience. They can skip, or mute scenes that depict sex, explicit language, violence, nudity, or anything else they simply don’t want to see.
In a business where the very notion of surprise can cost you pain, both on set and in the living room, it’s no longer a luxury to be able to filter content. It’s a necessity. We also have a responsibility to keep every person involved safe and healthy, from the actors on set to the families at home.
By utilizing options like VidAngel, we encourage a more respectful and thoughtful community of entertainment. The Horizon case is a sobering reminder that the surprises of entertainment can have real consequences, both on set and on your TV screen.
With VidAngel, you can skip the scenes you don’t want while keeping the story you do.
Let’s champion transparency, consent, and control in both content creation and consumption.
Because actors don’t like being surprised.
And neither do we.
Citation:
Hollywood Reporter, “Kevin Costner Sued Over Unscripted ‘Horizon 2’ Rape Scene”
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/kevin-costner-lawsuit-horizon-2-unscripted-rape-scene-1236231181
