Scarlet Overkill's Ableist Portrayal in Minions.

I'm a huge fan of Scarlet Overkill, but like many characters she has her own set of problematic elements. It's important to discuss them.

I'm not referring to scenes where she's angry/has poor impulse control. She's a villain, & those can be a skill set.

Scenes where Scarlet appears like she has a dissociative d/o are played for laughs, but they make me uncomfortable.

One example is when she appears on TV. I couldn't find a pic, but her waist is unusually elongated and she's swaying. Why go there? I don't recall anything about the appearances/behavior of Gru, Vector, or El Macho that would imply a mental disorder. At least, one implying a dissociation from reality. So seeing Scarlet, the franchise's 1st female supervillain, appear as though she might be delusional/psychotic, dismays me to no end. It also makes me angry.

Not only is Scarlet Overkill's portrayal abelist at times, it's sexist as well because of her gender. She's a woman so ergo she has to appear mentally disabled? Really? That's the best the creative team could dream up? Why insult female audiences with an abelist portrayal of a female character, especially one who's otherwise powerful? Are they implying women can fantasize about power but should never actually have it?

Why send such a harmful message to people with disabilities? Implying Scarlet Overkill has a mental disorder undermines all her scenes where she's powerful, confident, etc. So while Scarlet can be angry like Gru & other villains, the ultimate & harmful message sent is she's inferior.

Question: Why couldn't the creators have just kept playing her outrageous anger for laughs?

Answer: Entrenched sexism and ableism are difficult to shake.

I took my daughter to see Minions. You can bet I warned her about Scarlet's mentalist portrayal and how it's not appropriate. Or funny.