Hustlers has been one of the most highly-anticipated feature films of the year, with the movie making headlines thanks to its star-studded cast led by Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu, and also including Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, '90s icon Julia Stiles, Cardi B, and Lizzo. The script is based on a true story published by New York Magazinein 2015 about a crime ring of former strippers drugging clients, and swiping their credit cards to their hearts' content. And of course when the setting is a strip club, the scenes are sure to be steamy. Malaysia's film censorship board seems to think it's too much.
According to BBC, the board has banned the film in the country for "excessive obscene content." Because the film includes scenes with drugs, bare breasts, and "erotic dances," it's been deemed "not suitable for public screening." Square Box Pictures, who are the Malaysian distributors of the film, made an announcement via Instagram.
"We regret to inform you that Hustlers movie release has been cancelled as it has been banned in Malaysia," they wrote in the post. "We certainly appreciate all the love and support from our fans and movie lovers for this title; yet it's our loss that we are unable to carry on. Our sincere apologies that we have let you down."
It's no secret that the country skews toward more conservative social sensibilities. Earlier this year, the country also censored the same-sex love scenes from the Elton John biopic Rocketman, which was also censored by notoriously homophobic Russia. The Southeast Asian country also postponed the premiere of Disney's live action remake of Beauty and the Beast because of a "gay moment" in the film.
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