In a recent interview with Vogue Magazine, Promising Young Woman's director Emerald Fennell and actress Carisa James talk about the film and the "Concept of Female Bodies as 'Something to Win'" (Vogue's words, not mine)

Promising Young Woman is being labeled by some as a "#MeToo-era film." How do you respond to that, and have you both seen the industry change significantly since the movement took off?

Fennell: In terms of categorization, it's difficult because I don't think women's stories always have to be political or address the things that are happening at the moment. But #MeToo is so important and I have noticed a difference. When we both started out as actors, there were expectations around nudity. Almost every other thing I was sent had nudity in it, and to mind or question it was to be square and unprofessional. I do think that's changed, but it's not like everything's fixed.

James: This is one of those things that I've kind of shied away from really commenting too specifically on, because my experience is not everyone's experience and I don't want to ever make the conversation about me or whatever. But I mean, I've done films where, and I don't want to call anyone out or anything, but I'd do these really kind of uncomfortable scenes and the set is elbow to elbow and I'm the only woman there. And that really stuck with me, that made me feel deeply without any control.

But then I did this, or when I did [the 2019 film] Bombshell and the entire conversation was different. There were discussions from the very first day about concrete codes of conduct and expectations. There are people specifically brought in to make sure that everyone feels comfortable and safe when scenes veer into difficult territory. I just can't believe something like an intimacy coordinator took so long to place, because it's without a doubt a necessity.

It would be way too easy to backslide to the way things used to be, though. Things aren't solved, we have to stay on top of it all.

source