Raging Piggy: Fatphobia and anger in Cerdita (Carlota Pereda, 2022)

Abstract

Cerdita/Piggy (Carlota Pereda, 2022) has garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. The film’s focus on an overweight protagonist who confronts bullying and discrimination with anger is particularly noteworthy, given the underrepresentation of such characters and the horror genre utilized. Piggy is a relevant case study given the current moment of popular feminism and heightened visibility of female anger in response to violences. The article analyzes the film’s representation of anger through three dimensions: the construction of the enraged subject, the causes of the anger, and its effects. It specifically examines the significance of a plus size teenager as the main character, fat-shaming and weight-based violence as triggers for her anger, and the social and symbolic consequences of her anger in terms of breaking with hegemonic, neoliberal, and postfeminist ‘feeling rules’. Ultimately, the study offers insight into the potential significance of representing anger as a resource for social change for marginalized groups.

Keywords

• fat-shaming
• feeling rules
• female anger
• horror film
• weight-based violence