Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Miss Representation: Rise Up
Jennifer Siebel Newsom’s expanded message for women in Miss Representation: Rise Up provides food for thought as crucial viewing. Her second documentary about women under attack presents the untenable problems women face as the tech industry attempts control via AI, co-opting resistance and empowerment.
The film had its world premiere at Tribeca Festival 2026 in the Spotlight category. Special guests who appeared in the film attended the screening.
The first Miss Representation began the conversation
Newsom’s first film, Miss Representation (2011), delved into the normalization of unrealstic body images by all forms of media to manipulate and disempower women. The documentary centered on images of perfection and beauty perpetuated in the music, fashion, advertising and entertainment industries, etc. Newsom showed how these illusory images negatively impacted teen girls and women. Regardless of what products real people used or what they did to their appearances, they never measured up. Stoking shame and guilt, the industries encouraged girls and young women to evolve into prettier, thinner, more alluring people.
In that acclaimed film Newsom included statistics of the percentages of women and teen girls suffering from depression and body insecurity. Overwhelmed by not fitting the beauty type, they experience feelings of unworthiness and dis-empowerment. Oftentimes, their depression and body insecurity would lead to cutting and other forms of self-harm including suicide. In her acute depictions Newsom revealed an important story about our culture and society that rang alarm bells, but offered no real prescriptions for change. The relentless assault against girls and women makes money.
Rise Up shows the situation has worsened
Miss Representation: Rise Up proves that the situation has worsened exponentially through social media’s algorithmic engagement. Male and female influencers via Instagram, TikTok and other platforms, whether through soft power (body perfection) or toxic masculinity, hate on women 24/7. Parallel with the demand for women’s perfected beauty, we note the rise of the fascist, toxic, male “ugly,” who looks like Joe Rogan and demeans like the conservative MAGA Nick Fuentes.
The Trump administration has exacerbated the misogyny and objectification of women, with the goal of removing them as an effective power block. Trump’s response to a female reporter whose question unsettled him, “Quiet, piggy,” sums it up. Strategic political pressure via media (images, toxic talking heads) contributed to reversing women’s rights via the Dobbs decision. Spreading domination and hopelessness, malign actors work politically to silence women’s voices because of the power they threaten.
Newsom interviews key spokespeople: Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, Jim Steyer (CEO of Common Sense Media), former Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Amy Klobuchar and more. Using their commentary she explores the political backlash against women’s progress using online resources.
Firsthand accounts by young women
Also, Newsom uses powerful firsthand accounts from young women across the country. She highlights their experiences and gives them a platform to voice their concerns. Giving specific examples, the film reveals how political influencers on the radical right have created a hostile online ecosystem with ChatGPT, Grok and other AI tools. Following the Trump administration’s MO, they weaponize these tools to harass, stalk, threaten, and ultimately make women do what they want. In other words they metaphorically “disappear” women and take their voices and power.
Because everyone has a phone, the toxic messaging can be seen at all times. Unlike the analog assault of 15 yeas ago, influencers now personalize their digital warfare against others. Often AI bots are set to monitor and comment on every powerful young woman’s social media account. Insulting comments and memes can erode girls’ and women’s self-esteem, mental health, and public engagement.
The more these insidious technologies emotionally engage, the higher the profits. Online abuse and verbal beatings mean dollars. Young women navigate the currents of such abuse with pain. Instead of pushing through, eventually they refuse to take on leadership roles and positions of political power because they know that mountains of online hate and insults will follow.
Congress must step in to regulate tech companies
Congress has attempted to hold CEOs of companies like Meta (Facebook) accountable for allowing toxic messaging on their platforms. But the MAGA administration feels so threatened by women that they prevent regulation of tech companies. Women’s voting has decreased over the years. What a blessing it would be for conservatives if over half the population (women) didn’t vote.
To avoid regulation of their products and data centers, the companies have made payoff donations to campaigns. However, Newsom shows the resilience of young women who fight back and carve out their own power. Their voices now and in the future sound a reckoning. An increasingly aware public is fighting against data centers and divesting from their tech investments. Big money loses as a result. Thus, elections matter hugely and women’s power can turn the tide with sheer numbers.
Miss Representation: Rise Up reminds us that all of us must remain engaged in our political processes. Women’s votes make a difference. By empowering women and maintaining hope, no one’s rights can be diminished.
Look for Miss Represenation: Rise Up on streaming platforms.
