#Netflix ‘deeply sorry’ for ‘Cuties’ poster after backlash for sexualizing kids

Netflix has issued an apology for releasing a poster for an upcoming movie that online petitioners said sexualizes children.

The streaming giant plans to release “Cuties,” a French film about a young girl who joins a dance troupe, on Sept. 9. The premise of the film, which features the young cast members dancing seductively, has received backlash and so has the artwork used to promote the flick.

The Netflix poster and the art used to promote the movie at Sundance differ heavily, with the newer version showing the tween actresses posing in cropped dance costumes.

“We’re deeply sorry for the inappropriate artwork that we used for ‘Cuties.’ It was not OK, nor was it representative of this French film, which premiered at Sundance. We’ve now updated the pictures and description,” the service told Deadline in response to the backlash.

The film, directed by first-timer Maïmouna Doucouré, has a TV-MA rating.