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13 REASONS WHY Stars Talk “Deliberate” Decision To Make Audiences “Uncomfortable”

The actors behind 13 REASONS WHY explains why the show doesn’t cut away from some of its most devastating moments.

If there’s one word that can be used to describe Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why, which hit the streaming service in full as of midnight, it’s “unflinching”. The show delves into the brutal truth of teen reality and part of doing that honestly means not cutting away from the story’s harshest of moments (which we won’t spoil here.)

In a recent interview with MTV (with spoilers!), star Katherine Langford and Dylan Minnette, who portray Hannah Baker and Clay Jensen, talked about the decision to stay realistic by making audiences feel the same way Hannah does.

“The choice to stay on these moments to a point where it makes the audience just past uncomfortable was a very deliberate decision, and it was done because we wanted to show the ugliness and not use these events and issues as plot devices or romanticize them in any way,” said Langford.

Minnette added “We are not glorifying these acts. By forcing you to watch, by forcing you to flinch and feel heartbroken and devastated and disturbed … The only way to do it is to break your heart because that’s real life.”

Langford says the gritty honesty is inspired by teens attitudes during those formative high school years:
“Being in high school is like being in a [different] world. That’s your world, and there isn’t any perspective. Once your reputation is ruined — in a way, your reputation is everything — that’s it.”

Check out the release day promo for 13 Reasons Why below.

https://twitter.com/13ReasonsWhy/status/847705249208975363

By Kait

Kait is a New Englander, a YA book and adaptation lover, and a Slythindor, as well as a red velvet and red wine enthusiast. She likes to like things. Catch her on Twitter: @kaitmary