Why This 6-Episode German Series Is Disney+'s Most Controversial Show Right Now

This article contains discussions of sex, teen pregnancy, and abortion. It also contains SPOILERS for Disney+'s Pauline.

Summary Pauline explores subjects that could be considered offensive to conservative and Christian viewers, making it controversial.

Disney's shift to tackle mature themes in series like Pauline shows that the belief it only caters to children is outdated.

Despite being dubbed satanic and woke, Pauline is one of Disney's best shows, blending gripping storytelling and compelling characters.

A 6-episode German series called Pauline has quickly become Disney+'s most controversial show, turning heads with its very concept. Like most studios that have changed with the times, Disney has been accused of having a "woke" agenda in recent years from certain segments of the internet. Controversies have arisen from moments like Good Luck Charlie including a lesbian couple, Lafou dancing with a man in the live-action Beauty and the Beast, and Lightyear showing a kiss between two women. However, the backlash from these moments pales in comparison to the deeply divided reactions to Disney+'s newest original series, Pauline.

Pauline is a 6-episode long series made for German Disney+, starring Sira-Anna Faal as the titular character and Ludger Bökelmann as her love interest, Lukas. Since its release on Disney+ (internationally) and Hulu (US) on May 22, complaints about the show have started popping up on TikTok, YouTube, and Reddit. However, the responses haven't just been negative. Based on the reviews, the series has quickly become a fan-favorite among other viewers. This raises questions about why there is such a strong and divided reaction to Pauline.

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Pauline Focuses On A Teen Pregnancy After A One-Night Stand With The Devil's Son

Pauline Is A Fantasy Theological Drama Meant For Adults

The controversial show Pauline follows the titular 19-year-old, who gets pregnant after having a one-night stand with the Devil's son and successor, Lukas. As she reckons with her new pregnancy-induced supernatural powers and seeks out an abortion, Pauline finds herself falling for Lukas. Based on its premise alone, this German Disney+ show was bound to ruffle some feathers.

The notion that Disney only makes content for kids is extremely outdated.

Pauline is an inversion of the immaculate conception story, except with actual sex. This type of story isn't unique, popping up in religious horror movies such as The Omen, Rosemary's Baby, and Little Evil. The main reason Pauline's concept is a bigger deal than those movies is that Disney greenlit the idea. Since the company's inception, the company has been associated with child-friendly content, and a satanic teen pregnancy is far from appropriate for children. However, the notion that Disney only makes content for kids is extremely outdated.

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Other adult shows produced under the Disney umbrella include The Secret Life of the American Teenager on Freeform, The Handmaid's Tale on Hulu, and Moon Night on Disney+. All of these incredible shows tackle mature themes and storylines, but that's okay because they aren't made for or marketed towards kids. The same can be said of Pauline, which is rated Mature on Hulu. The German show is explicitly made for adults, so its edgy premise doesn't need to be child-friendly.

Why Pauline Has Been So Controversial

Dissenters Have Dubbed Pauline Satanic And Woke

The German show Pauline is undoubtedly the most controversial Disney+ show right now. Because the story centers on a one-night stand and romance with the Devil's son, Pauline has been dubbed satanic propaganda by many Christians. Prior to the show coming out, fearmongering began, with social media users asserting that the show would corrupt kids (via Inside the Magic). Since its release, many Christians have accused the show of promoting satanism, even though the show makes it clear that the theological system doesn't align with traditional Christianity. However, this is not the only issue people have with the show.

The subjects of pre-marital sex, queer representation, and abortion access are polarizing topics, making their inclusion controversial.

Pauline takes a strong sex-positive, pro-LGBTQ+, and pro-choice stance, never wavering on these ideals throughout the series. The main character isn't once shamed for her sexuality or discouraged from terminating the pregnancy. In fact, both Tony and Lukas fully support Pauline's choice to have an abortion. The only reason she stays pregnant is that the demonic fetus kills the doctor and nurses from inside the womb. Additionally, Pauline normalizes Tony's relationship with his boyfriend, showing their physical intimacy on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, the subjects of pre-marital sex, queer representation, and abortion access are polarizing topics, making their inclusion controversial.

Pauline Is One Of Disney+'s Best Shows Right Now Despite The Controversy

Pauline Is A Gripping, Fast-Paced Series With Great Twists

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Even though the series is controversial, Pauline is undoubtedly one of the best Disney+ shows out right now. The German series has the same gritty tone and aesthetic as Netflix's The Sandman. At the same time, Pauline uses the same pops of color and music style as The Sandman's spinoff show, Dead Boy Detectives. As such, the series uses the best traits from both popular fantasy series, blending them seamlessly.

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Pauline also features moody, compelling characters with well-developed story arcs. The eponymous main character is snarky, headstrong, and sensitive – a difficult set of traits to balance without falling too far in one direction. Impressively, the series manages to explore each of these facets without negating the others.

The dialogue and pacing also help keep the series moving forward, never stalling for too long.

The German Disney+ show also packs a large amount of action into a small number of episodes, making every second crucial to the plot. This cuts out the unnecessary fluff that can kill a fantasy series. The dialogue and pacing also help keep the series moving forward, never stalling for too long. Ultimately, because of all these elements, Pauline is a gripping series that deserves a second season.

Source: Inside the Magic